Kane Williamson scored 106 not out to guide New Zealand to a four-wicket win at Edgbaston and dash South Africa’s semi-final hopes. JON CARDINELLI reports.
The result marks the Proteas’ fourth loss of the campaign and puts paid to their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
The game was in the balance at the death, with New Zealand requiring eight runs off the last over. Ultimately South Africa were made to regret their poor batting and missed chances in the field.
After being put into bat in bowler-friendly conditions, the Proteas struggled to take control of the contest. Hashim Amla scored 55 as the South Africans pushed and prodded their way through the middle overs. It was largely thanks to Rassie van der Dussen’s explosive knock of 67 that they were able to post 241.
Kagiso Rabada made the early breakthrough to give the Proteas some hope. New Zealand regained control through Martin Guptill and Williamson. At 72-1 after nearly 15 overs, the Black Caps were cruising.
What happened next changed the complexion of the contest. Guptill lost his footing while pulling Andile Phehlukawyo to the on-side, and trod on his stumps. The Proteas were visibly lifted by this bit of good fortune. Seven balls later, the team erupted in celebration after Ross Taylor was strangled down the leg side by Chris Morris.
No luck was involved in the next dismissal, though. Morris found the edge of Tom Latham’s bat to leave New Zealand at 80-4 at the start of the 19th over.
Williamson and Jimmy Neesham fought hard to keep New Zealand in the contest. The pair put on 57 for the fifth wicket until Morris returned to the attack to remove Neesham.
There was drama aplenty in the final overs. The Proteas missed two sharp catching opportunities as well as a couple of run-out chances.
Imran Tahir thought that he had Williamson caught behind. Inexplicably, the decision was not reviewed. Replays showed that the New Zealand captain had indeed edged the ball to Quniton de Kock.
From there, Williamson and Colin Grandhomme kept their cool. They picked up the singles and the odd boundary. They never looked to force the issue or take unnecessary chances – at least not until they were well in control.
De Grandhomme was caught in the deep in the penultimate over. Williamson steadied the ship, though, to squash South Africa’s last hopes of an upset.
Williamson smashed Phehlukwayo for six in the final over to go to his century and level the scores. He hit the next ball for four to secure the win and all but end South Africa’s World Cup playoff chances..
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