New Zealand Triumphs Over South Africa to Reach Champions Trophy Final
New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final, earning a spot in the final against India. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson scored centuries, while South Africa could not maintain their chase despite contributions from Bavuma and van der Dussen. Notable bowling performances from Santner and Phillips sealed the victory for New Zealand.
In a commanding performance, New Zealand triumphed over South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy, securing a place in the final against India. This match marked yet another instance for South Africa, as they have now reached the knockout stage of consecutive ICC tournaments without clinching a title, following their defeat in the T20 World Cup final against India in 2024.
New Zealand elected to bat first, posting an impressive total of 362 runs for the loss of six wickets. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson stood out, each scoring centuries—Ravindra amassed 108 runs off 101 balls, while Williamson contributed 102 runs from 94 balls. The later contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, both scoring 49 runs, bolstered New Zealand’s score during the final overs.
Despite South Africa’s promising start, their innings faltered as they succumbed to pressure and lost critical wickets in the middle overs. Temba Bavuma, the captain, scored a notable 56 runs, and Rassie van der Dussen added 69 runs, but these efforts proved insufficient for victory. Ultimately, South Africa ended their innings at 312 runs for 9 wickets.
Mitchell Santner was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming three wickets for 43 runs. Glenn Phillips demonstrated his versatility with two wickets for just 27 runs in three overs, while Matt Henry also contributed by taking two wickets for 43 runs over seven overs.
New Zealand will face India in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, March 9. The Kiwis have historically performed well against India in recent matches, previously achieving a clean sweep of 3-0 in Test series. However, India has bested New Zealand during the group stage of the tournament.
In summary, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final, with Ravindra and Williamson’s centuries propelling them to a strong total. Despite notable contributions from South African batsmen, the team could not secure the victory. New Zealand’s potent bowling attack was instrumental in their win, leading them to a final showdown against India, where they hope to further assert their dominance.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
