By Miss Maryam
LAHORE: New Zealand set up final clash with India when they conquered South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson blasted fine centuries while skipper Mitchell Santner took big wickets to play a major role in Kiwis’ success.
At the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, Ravindra (108) and Williamson (102) shepherded New Zealand to 362-6, which is also a record total of the Champions Trophy history, surpassing Australia’s 356-5 which Aussies had posted a few days ago against England at the same venue in a record chase.
Spinners Santner (3-43) then took major top order scalps and was smartly backed by his fellow spinners and premier pacer Matt Henry to restrict Proteas to 312-9.
David Miller entertained the crowd in the lost cause scoring a 67-ball 100 not out, hitting four sixes and ten fours from 67 balls.
This is the third time that the 2000 edition’s champions New Zealand have reached the final.
Chasing a stiff target of 363 South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton early for a 12-ball 17. However, at this stage skipper Temba Bavuma (56) and Rassie van der Dussen (69) stabilized the innings by sharing a run-a-ball 105 for the second wicket association before Bavuma was removed by spinner Mitchell Santner.
Bavuma struck four fours and one six in his fine 72-ball knock.
Rassie also failed to go deep after bringing in his fifty and it was again Santner who bowled him with a ball that pitched on the area, the right-hander wanted to flick it and missed it completely.
Rassie, who brought in his fifty off 51 balls, smacked two sixes and four fours in his 66-ball knock.
When Rassie fell South Africa were 161-3 in the 27th over.
Santner continued to dent South Africa’s chances and also removed Heinrich Klaasen (3), held by Matt Henry, to leave Proteas at 167-4 in the 29th over.
Ravindra then sent back Aiden Markram (31) before spinner Michael Bracewell had Wiaan Mulder (8) to put Kiwis in dominant position.
Glenn Phillips then had Marco Jansen (3) and Keshav Maharaj (1) before Matt Henry removed Rabada (16). And then Miller used his long handle but it went in vain.
Besides Santner’s fine bowling Glenn Phillips (2-27 in 3) and Matt Henry (2-43 in 7) took two wickets apiece.
Earlier after opting to bat first Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102) blasted fantastic centuries and a late onslaught from Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchel enabled New Zealand to post 362-6 on a pitch which had nothing for the bowlers.
Ravindra-Williamson engineered their innings quite sensibly and then converted their fifties into solid hundreds which eventually took Kiwis to a huge total.
They shared 164 off 154 balls for the second wicket stand to put pressure on the South African bowlers.
It was fast bowler Kagiso Rabada who broke the stand in the 34th over of the innings by getting rid of Ravindra who hit his second century in this Champions Trophy. He had hammered 112 against Bangladesh in the group game at Rawalpindi.
Ravindra brought in his fifty off 47 balls and his hundred came off 93 deliveries. This was the fifth century of his career. He batted with great authority and his placement was superb. He hammered one six and 13 fours in his 101-ball 108.
When Ravindra departed New Zealand were 212-2.
After his dismissal, Kane Williamson, dropped on 56 by keeper Heinrich Klaasen off Ngidi, also completed his century, 15th in his 172nd game of his career.
Kane, who brought in his fifty off 61 balls and 100 off 91 deliveries, smashed two sweetly-timed sixes and ten fours in his 94-ball 102 before being dismissed by fast bowler Wiaan Mulder.
After losing Tom Latham (4) cheaply following the fall of Williamson, Daryl Mitchell took the centre stage and hammered a quick-fire 37-ball 49, featuring one six and four fours.
Glenn Phillips then also entertained the crowd in the end with lusty hitting, smashing 27-ball 49, striking six fours and one six.
New Zealand scored 110 runs in the last ten overs.
Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers with 3-72 in ten overs. Kagiso Rabada (2-70 in 10) and Wiaan Mulder (1-48 in 6) were the other successful bowlers.
On a sunny day New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first.
Will Young and Rachin Ravindra provided a 48-run opening stand to Kiwis. It was Lungi Ngidi who broke the stand by removing Will Young (21) who failed to clear the mid-off fielder Aiden Markram who took an easy catch.
Young struck three fours in his 23-ball knock.
The finale will be conducted at Dubai on March 9.
