New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final, securing a place in the final against India. Key performances came from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, who both scored centuries. Despite David Miller’s century, South Africa fell short, continuing their trend of knockout disappointments in major ICC tournaments.
On Wednesday, New Zealand triumphed over South Africa by 50 runs, securing a place in the Champions Trophy final against India in Dubai. This loss marks the second consecutive major ICC tournament where South Africa has reached the knockout stage but has failed to claim a title, following their defeat in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against India.
New Zealand elected to bat first and amassed a commanding total of 362/6. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson both contributed significant centuries, scoring 108 and 102 runs respectively, with Ravindra’s innings of 108 runs off 101 balls featuring 13 fours and a six. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips further bolstered their innings with handy contributions of 49 runs each.
In response, South Africa struggled despite David Miller’s unbeaten century, finishing their innings at 312/9 in 50 overs. Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen attempted to anchor the chase with their half-centuries, scoring 56 and 69 runs respectively, but the middle-order collapse proved detrimental.
Mitchell Santner excelled with the ball for New Zealand, claiming three wickets for 43 runs in a high-scoring match. Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry also contributed to the bowling attack, taking two wickets each, showcasing New Zealand’s depth in both batting and bowling.
New Zealand is set to face India in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Stadium. The Kiwis possess a strong track record against India, having secured a 3-0 victory in a recent Test series, although India had previously dominated during the league stage of the tournament.
In summary, New Zealand’s victory by 50 runs against South Africa in the Champions Trophy semi-final highlights their formidable batting and bowling prowess. With solid performances from Ravindra and Williamson, paired with key contributions from the bowling unit, New Zealand has positioned itself advantageously for the final showdown against India. Meanwhile, South Africa’s pattern of knockout-stage disappointments continues, leaving them seeking future success in major tournaments.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
