New Zealand defeats South Africa by 50 runs, to meet India in the Finals
In a high-scoring semifinal, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs thanks to hundreds from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. This set up a Champions Trophy summit matchup with India on Wednesday.
Following captain Mitchell Santner’s decision to bat, Williamson scored 102 off 94 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes, while Ravindra played a spectacular performance of 108 runs off 101 balls, laced with 13 fours and a six.
Then, building on the strong base, Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37 balls), Glenn Phillips (49 not out off 27 balls), and Michael Bracewell (16 off 12 balls) added 112 runs in the last 10 overs to propel New Zealand to a huge 362/6, the biggest score in Champions Trophy history.
The Proteas were limited to 312 for 9 in pursuit of the record target, despite a brilliant century from David Miller (100 not out off 67 balls) and valiant fifties from Rassie van der Dussen (69) and captain Temba Bavuma (56). This was only the second time a higher target has been successfully chased in ODIs, both times by South Africa.
The most effective bowler for New Zealand was Santner (3/43) who tightened the screws in the middle overs with the help of the other spinners, Michael Bracewell (1/53), Glenn Phillips (2/27), and Ravindra (1/20).
India, the previous winners, will now play New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Dubai.
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy matches came to a conclusion Wednesday with the semifinal.
Ryan Rickelton was dismissed early for 17 as South Africa chased 363 for victory, but Bavuma, who had been struggling, settled into a groove and shared a crucial 105-run partnership with van der Dussen, the two of them reached the team century in the 18th over.
But the chase was ruined by New Zealand captain Santner’s three-wicket burst.
After breaking the stand by dismissing Bavuma in the twenty-third over, the left-arm spinner produced a gem to clean up van der Dussen.
Santner then had Matt Henry hole out Heinrich Klaasen (3), who was dangerous.
Then, in the 33rd over, Ravindra caught and bowled Aiden Markram (31) to leave South Africa at 189 for 5.
Before Miller put up a spectacular display with ten fours and four sixes to get his hundred on the last ball of the South African run chase, Wiaan Mulder (8), Marco Jansen (3), and Keshav Maharaj (1) came in rapid succession.
Prior to Will Young’s dismissal by Lungi Ngidi (3/72) in the eighth over, New Zealand, having chosen to bat, established a solid opening partnership of 48 between Ravindra and Young (21).
The Kiwis then reached 250 in the 40th over as Ravindra and Williamson shared 164 runs for the second wicket.
After his 112 against Bangladesh, Ravindra seemed in total control as he produced brilliant pull shots and back-foot drives to reach his second century of this Champions Trophy.
After scoring three hundreds in the 2023 World Cup in India, this was his fifth century in an ICC competition.
Despite his initial nervousness, Williamson batted coolly to get his fourth century against South Africa and his 15th ODI.
In his last three ODI matches against the Proteas, he has now hit hundreds.
The South African bowlers found Ravindra and Williamson’s right-left combination challenging.
After bowling six overs for 48 runs and one wicket, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder was pulled off due to a strain.
Heinrich Klaasen caught Ravindra off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling (2/70), while Ngidi caught Williamson off Mulder after he mistimed a ramp shot.
After that, Phillips smashed six fours and a six in 27 balls to boost the score, while Mitchell hit four fours and one six in his 37-ball knock.
Mitchell Santner, NZ captain: “It’s a cool feeling to make the final. We were challenged by a good side. We’ve had a go against India, look forward to do it again. The platform we were able to set with Rachin and Kane, and set up the death phase earlier, was great. The finishers did their job. The key for the bowlers to keep chipping away with wickets. It was good personally. What we speak about as a group is apply pressure, but still take wickets. It was pleasing to get three pretty good scalps personally. We got four allrounders who bowl spin, that gives depth. GP’s two wickets and Rachin’s five overs was great. We weren’t sure if Henry, who is sore but fine, would bowl. Knew if they hit a hard length, it would spin or seam. Williamson keeps doing it. That partnership was massive, might’ve been frustrated a touch at times, but they flipped the switch earlier and got us to 360. Looking back, 320 might not have been enough. Being there in Dubai and putting India under pressure gave us confidence. You take in what things work and what doesn’t. Not winning the toss might be nice.”
Temba Bavuma, SA captain: “NZ were above par. I think as well as they batted, we backed ourselves to chase 350 with the wicket getting better. We had one or two good partnerships but not enough. One of me or VDD to go big, which didn’t happen. NZ really put us under pressure from the get go. They pierced the off side regularly and kept hitting boundaries in the middle overs, was tough to contain them for having had wickets in hand at the death and putting us under pressure. At 125 for 1, me and Rassie batting, we needed to bat till the 35th. But we weren’t able to set up the base for the middle order. Soft dismissal for me, better ball to get Rassie. Left too much to do for those coming in. From a batting pov, being more decisive is what’s on my mind. Have to be ruthless and go for the game.”
Rachin Ravindra, POTM: “Great feeling to contribute to an emphatic win in a semi-final. I didn’t start as well as I wanted, SA bowled well, but once we got going it was nice build partnerships with Kane and Young. It was nice to go with the ebbs and flows of one-day cricket. We were thinking around 300 as cutters were holding, and SA were getting bounce, but then the game started accelerating nicely, and Glenn and Mitchell finished great. Thing with tournament cricket is what’s next and then what. Important to soak in the win today, celebrate the team together and get around each other. Once we get to Dubai we’ll switch back on.”
