With a win, the Proteas are back in contention
Pune: South Africa reached the top of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup points table after a spectacular 190-run win against New Zealand in the league stage match played at the MCA Stadium here on Wednesday.
South Africa, batting first, scored centurion Quinton de Kock. The total was 357/4 thanks to a 200-run partnership for the second wicket between Kevin Pietersen (116) and Rassie van der Dussen (133). The Proteas were later given a boost by a late charge from David Miller (53).
Marco Jensen’s double strike in the first powerplay during New Zealand’s chase gave South Africa the lead, before Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada took their respective wickets.
Keshav Maharaj ensured that the spinners got a chance to express themselves and bowled out New Zealand for 167 runs in 35.3 overs four times to seal a spectacular win. Chasing 358, New Zealand tried their best to score quickly, But due to Aiden Markram’s sharp catch on Jensen’s ball, Devon Conway’s wicket fell very early.
Will Young and Ravindra tried to score runs from the word go. But in the ninth over, Johnson once again struck hard and had Ravindra caught at fine leg. Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada ensured that the pressure did not diminish. Coetzee had Young caught behind off the pitch and Rabada had New Zealand captain Tom Latham caught at cover.
Daryl Mitchell held the fort for the Blackcaps before becoming Maharaj’s victim in the 19th over. He bowled a ball down the wicket, where Miller caught it expertly.
Under pressure from the Proteas bowlers, New Zealand lost its next four wickets for just 43 runs. Several powerful blows from Glenn Phillips during the game, which was the only half-century from the Kiwis, helped New Zealand bat till the 36th over. Earlier, New Zealand ensured that South Africa had to work for their runs in Pune. will be. Captain Temba Bavuma led the way with a number of confident strokes, especially through the cover area.
However, he was outclassed by Trent Boult. Rassie van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock came together to lead the Proteas batting effort. He kept the scoring rate in the high range of four for 20 overs with a number of aggressive shots. There were worried faces in the New Zealand camp, whose numbers were already struggling with a number of injuries, after Matt Henry returned to the pavilion without completing his sixth over. . The fast bowler strained his hamstring after the third ball of the 27th over and the remaining balls were completed by James Neesham. After a steady pace, De Kock and Van der Dussen picked up the pace after 30 overs.
He added 39 runs in the next five overs. De Kock then completed his fourth Cricket World Cup century by hitting a six off Neesham in the 36th over. The Black Caps finally found their way in the 40th over, when Southee dismissed De Kock. However, this brought the dangerous Miller to the crease. Together with Van der Dussen, he quickly added 78 runs for the third wicket.
