South Africa clashed with New Zealand at Edgbaston needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, but, somewhere the intent, the application, the attitude et all was woefully missing, as the Kiwis, despite being put into a spot of bother, managed to conjure up a victory in the final over of the match.
Chasing a tricky target of 242 runs, the Kiwis hobbled a bit at 80 for 4 & then it was 137 for 5 in the 33rd over, raising hopes of a South African fightback. But agonisingly, the Proteas fielding let go of chances after chances, as if it was buttery fingers !! When Imran Tahir came to bowl his final over, with 72 runs required of 12 overs, the very first ball had Grandhomme spoon the ball at midwicket, with David Miller full stretched & missing. Two balls later it was Williamson spooning & Miller again missed despite a desperate dive; & then in the last delivery it was the faintest of the touches(as it showed up on slo-mo replays), but the wicketkeeper did not appeal & chance of a Proteas comeback faded away. Again in the 40th over, Rabada & Miller combo spilled another gilt edged chance of a run out - too many slips, with too little to defend. Grandhomme stitched a 91 run partnership with Williamson, before holing out in the deep in the 48th over, with another 14 runs required. Capt Williamson then calmed the nerves in his camp with a six & a four in the last over to take his side over the line & also reach a fantastic unbeaten century - a masterclass display of icy cool nerves & intelligent run accumulation, through jabs, fine cuts, late placements & occasional drives. Colin de Grandhomme also contributed richly to the cause with a scintillating 60 off just 47 deliveries, on a slow, two paced wicket, where almost every batsman on both sides, struggled for runs.
Earlier, South Africa, put into bat, struggled to get going, losing de Kock very early, & were hobbling at 136 for 4 in the 33 over, when Miller joined Dussen in the middle to raise some momentum. Together they added 72 for the fifth wicket, but it was not enough, as South Africa ended at 241 for 6, with Dussen unbeaten at 67. Hashim Amla scratched for a snail paced 55, while du Plessis got 23, Markram scored 38 & Miller raced hard for his 36 - all got some start, but could not really capitalise for a winning total.
It was a good contest, but clearly the Kiwis were ahead in most part of the game.
The South African outfit looks dazed & defeated, being virtually out of the tournament with this loss, while the Kiwis would be very much on target for a semis slot - & are playing extremely well to their tag of the underdogs. They will be a tough nut to crack for all opponents ahead.
Chasing a tricky target of 242 runs, the Kiwis hobbled a bit at 80 for 4 & then it was 137 for 5 in the 33rd over, raising hopes of a South African fightback. But agonisingly, the Proteas fielding let go of chances after chances, as if it was buttery fingers !! When Imran Tahir came to bowl his final over, with 72 runs required of 12 overs, the very first ball had Grandhomme spoon the ball at midwicket, with David Miller full stretched & missing. Two balls later it was Williamson spooning & Miller again missed despite a desperate dive; & then in the last delivery it was the faintest of the touches(as it showed up on slo-mo replays), but the wicketkeeper did not appeal & chance of a Proteas comeback faded away. Again in the 40th over, Rabada & Miller combo spilled another gilt edged chance of a run out - too many slips, with too little to defend. Grandhomme stitched a 91 run partnership with Williamson, before holing out in the deep in the 48th over, with another 14 runs required. Capt Williamson then calmed the nerves in his camp with a six & a four in the last over to take his side over the line & also reach a fantastic unbeaten century - a masterclass display of icy cool nerves & intelligent run accumulation, through jabs, fine cuts, late placements & occasional drives. Colin de Grandhomme also contributed richly to the cause with a scintillating 60 off just 47 deliveries, on a slow, two paced wicket, where almost every batsman on both sides, struggled for runs.
Earlier, South Africa, put into bat, struggled to get going, losing de Kock very early, & were hobbling at 136 for 4 in the 33 over, when Miller joined Dussen in the middle to raise some momentum. Together they added 72 for the fifth wicket, but it was not enough, as South Africa ended at 241 for 6, with Dussen unbeaten at 67. Hashim Amla scratched for a snail paced 55, while du Plessis got 23, Markram scored 38 & Miller raced hard for his 36 - all got some start, but could not really capitalise for a winning total.
It was a good contest, but clearly the Kiwis were ahead in most part of the game.
The South African outfit looks dazed & defeated, being virtually out of the tournament with this loss, while the Kiwis would be very much on target for a semis slot - & are playing extremely well to their tag of the underdogs. They will be a tough nut to crack for all opponents ahead.
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