KIWI FRUIT
Proteas KO’d in Champs Trophy semis
IT WAS a tale as old as time for the Proteas once again in an ICC trophy knockout match, as South Africa were knocked out by New Zealand in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
This time around, they didn’t choke – they were simply never really in the contest, after New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first.
OVER & OUT: Tom Latham and his brasse got the better Temba Bavuma’s manne on Wednesday OVER & OUT: Tom Latham and his brasse got the better Temba Bavuma’s manne on Wednesday
Image: EPA
The Kiwis helped themselves to 362/6 in their allotted 50 overs, before restricting Temba Bavuma and his brasse to 312/9 for a 50-run victory.
It means the Kiwis will now face India in the final on Sunday and left the Proteas hoog and droog again.
TOP SCORE: Rachin Ravindra TOP SCORE: Rachin Ravindra
Image: EPA
The player responsible for SA’s latest setback was 25-year-old New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra, who batted superbly for his 108 off 101 balls.
Veteran Kane Williamson wou nie gebeat wees nie and also reached three figures (102 off 94 balls), with Daryl Mitchell and Glen Phillips chipping in with 49 runs apiece.
The Proteas, whose best bowler was Lungi Ngidi with 3/72, needed a batting hero to win the match, in fact they needed more than one.
Bavuma (56) got started and Rassie van der Dussen (69) looked threatening too, but SA lost wickets at regular intervals and despite some fight from big hitter David Miller (100 not out), they could only manage to get 312/9 – 50 runs short of making Sunday’s final.