South Africa defeated England by seven wickets, advancing to the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a total of five points in Group B. England was dismissed for only 179 runs, marking their third consecutive loss in the tournament. The match showcased strong performances from South African bowlers Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen, ensuring a dominant chase led by Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen.
Karachi (AFP) – In a decisive Group B match, South Africa secured their spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals by defeating England by seven wickets, showcasing a dominant performance in Karachi. England struggled throughout their innings, being bowled out for a mere 179 runs in 38.2 overs, with standout bowling from Wiaan Mulder (3-25) and Marco Jansen (3-39). South Africa chased the target successfully, losing only three wickets in 29.1 overs.
The victory placed South Africa atop Group B with five points, edging ahead of Australia, who also qualified for the semi-finals. India and New Zealand will finalize the semi-final matchups after their meeting in Dubai on Sunday. England, however, continued to underperform in the tournament, marking their third loss which followed prior defeats to Australia and Afghanistan, eliminating them from contention.
Stand-in captain Aiden Markram praised Jansen’s pivotal role in their bowling attack, emphasizing the importance of early wickets in such conditions. Conversely, England’s departing captain Jos Buttler expressed disappointment over the team’s lackluster performance, citing insufficient contributions from key players.
During the match, Jofra Archer struck early by dismissing two batters, but a solid 127-run partnership between Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen ensured South Africa remained on target. Klaasen contributed significantly with a fiery 64 runs, and van der Dussen ended the match with an impressive unbeaten 72 runs.
The match saw England’s batting lineup crumble from the outset, with Joe Root being the top scorer at 37 runs. Mulder and Jansen dismantled the English batting order, leaving them in disarray after the top order collapsed quickly. Even with a late effort by Butler and Archer, the innings faltered, highlighting the team’s overall disheartening performance.
Additionally, South Africa had to adapt without their usual captain Temba Bavuma and opening batsman Tony de Zorzi, both sidelined due to illness, while Markram also needed to leave briefly due to injury. This victory solidifies South Africa’s strong position in the tournament as they move forward into the knockout stages.
South Africa’s commanding victory over England not only secures their semi-final spot in the Champions Trophy but also underscores England’s disappointing campaign. With standout performances from bowlers Mulder and Jansen, as well as significant contributions from the batting duo of van der Dussen and Klaasen, South Africa demonstrated superior skill and strategy. England’s early exits from the tournament now raise questions about their form and strategy moving forward.
Original Source: www.france24.com
