Cricket
Black Caps knock Proteas out of the Champions Trophy─── MORGAN PIEK 07:35 Thu, 06 Mar 2025
New Zealand are into the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy being played in Pakistan and Dubai, following a convincing 50-run win against South Africa on Wednesday night in Lahore.
The Black Caps won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision the Proteas would have made as well if the coin had landed on the flip side.
Centuries by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson led the Kiwis to 262/6 in their allotted 50 overs – the highest in the tournament so far.
Ravindra scored 108 off 101 balls, while the highly experienced Williamson needed 94 balls for his 101.
Rachin Ravindra. Photo: ICC
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips each chipped in with knocks of 49, with the latter’s innings being unbeaten.
With figures of 3/72, Lungi Ngidi was the best South African bowler on the day, while Kagiso Rabada took 2/70 and Wiaan Mulder took 1/48 in six overs.
In reply, David Miller scored a valiant 100 not out off 67 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen scored 69 off 66. Captain Temba Bavuma, in turn, scored 56 off 71. Aiden Markram looked good with his 31 off 29, but it was just too little of a contribution.
Kane Williamson. Photo: ICC
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was excellent with the ball and took the crucial wickets of Bavuma, Heinrich Klaasen (for three), and Van der Dussen to record figures of 3/43 in his ten overs.
Matt Henry and Phillips each took two wickets as well.
Following the defeat, the Proteas coach, Rob Walter, conceded that they could have been better on the day, but he will not fault his team’s effort.
“I don’t think it was any one particular thing that resulted in the loss, probably a couple,” said Walter.
David Miller. Photo: ICC
“We could have handled the last 10 overs a little bit better – they got away from us a bit. There was a period sort of in the middle of the innings where Kane and Rachin started to up their run rates a bit.
“We missed a few opportunities there, we could have slowed things down, and then obviously the partnership that broke when we were batting.
“We were just starting to get going, and that partnership got broken and really slowed us down in the middle, and obviously we saw Dave play unbelievably well in the end to get a hundred, and then you lose by 50, and you know you’re just one partnership away from doing something special.”
The final between India and New Zealand will be played on Sunday, and this championship match in Dubai will get underway at 11:00.
