New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final to reach the final against India. Strong batting by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson propelled New Zealand to 362 runs. Despite David Miller’s century, South Africa managed only 312 runs. The match showcased New Zealand’s bowling prowess with key wickets taken by Santner and Phillips.
In a remarkable match, New Zealand triumphed over South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Wednesday. This victory propels New Zealand into the final against India. Conversely, this marks another bitter disappointment for South Africa, who failed to capitalize on their knockout stage appearances in consecutive major ICC tournaments, having also lost to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand set a challenging target by scoring 362/6, powered by noteworthy centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. Ravindra scored a well-crafted 108 runs off 101 balls, complemented by Williamson’s 102 off 94 balls, contributing to their formidable total. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips further boosted the score, with both contributing 49 runs.
In response, South Africa’s effort fell short at 312/9, despite an impressive unbeaten century from David Miller. Captain Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen also provided significant contributions with scores of 56 and 69, respectively. However, the Proteas faced difficulties during their chase, losing crucial wickets in the middle overs.
New Zealand’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Captain Mitchell Santner, who claimed three wickets for 43 runs. Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry also made valuable contributions with two wickets each, showcasing their bowling strength in a high-scoring match.
Looking ahead, New Zealand will face India in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9. Their recent strong performance against India in Test matches, where they achieved a 3-0 victory, adds to the anticipation, although India earlier bested New Zealand in the group stage of the tournament.
New Zealand’s comprehensive victory over South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final highlights their readiness for the final against India. The match showcased strong batting performances from Ravindra and Williamson, alongside effective bowling by Santner and Phillips. South Africa’s inability to convert their promising start into a win emphasizes their ongoing struggles in crucial matches.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
