An impressive performance in all three departments guided South Africa to 190-run win over high-flying New Zealand in a crucial match of the World Cup 2023 at MCA International Stadium, Pune, on Wednesday.
Kiwis were bowled out for 167 runs in 35.2 overs as they were chasing a mammoth total of 357 runs to cement their position in top 4 on the points table.
Kiwis were served first blow in the third over when opener Devon Conway was dismissed for two runs by Marco Jansen.
Jansen made another strike in the ninth over when he removed Rachin Ravindra for just nine runs. Will Young tried to boost the chase but he was sent to packing for 33 by Gerald Coetzee. Skipper Tom Latham fell for cheap scores followed by quick four wickets.
Glenn Phillips played a fiery knock of 60 runs but it could not save his side from the defeat.
South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj claimed a four-wicket haul while Marco Jansen took three wickets to devastate the opponents’ batting order.
Earlier, powerful knocks from Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen guided South Africa to post a giant tough target of 358 runs against New Zealand.
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma and Kock took a strong start with former smashing a number of confident strokes.
However, Bavuma was outdone by Trent Boult. The experienced seamer got the South Africa captain to drive a delivery which landed at an uncomfortable length and induced a thick edge that went to the first slip.
David Miller fell for brilliant 53 off 30 when Rassie van der Dussen joined the opener on the crease. Both lit up the stadium with stunning boundaries to complete their centuries.
New Zealand managed to eke out the dangerous Quinton de Kock in the 40th over, but this wasn’t before the batter had scored a magnificent 114 in Pune.
