New Zealand secured a spot in the Champions Trophy final against India after a dominant 50-run victory over South Africa in a high-scoring semi-final match on Wednesday. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson were the stars of the show, both scoring impressive centuries.
Ravindra’s magnificent innings of 108 runs from 101 balls, including 13 fours and a six, and Williamson’s elegant 102 runs off 94 deliveries, featuring 10 fours and two sixes, laid a strong foundation for New Zealand after they elected to bat first. Contributions from Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37 balls), Glenn Phillips (49 not out off 27 balls), and Michael Bracewell (16 off 12 balls) further boosted the score, adding 112 runs in the final 10 overs. New Zealand reached a formidable total of 362/6, marking the highest score ever in Champions Trophy history.
While South Africa has successfully chased down higher targets in ODIs twice before, both times against themselves, they fell short this time. Despite a brilliant unbeaten century from David Miller (100 not out off 67 balls) and half-centuries from Rassie van der Dussen (69) and captain Temba Bavuma (56), the Proteas were restricted to 312 for 9.
Mitchell Santner was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 43 runs. The spin attack, including Michael Bracewell (1/53), Glenn Phillips (2/27), and Rachin Ravindra (1/20), effectively controlled the middle overs, tightening the pressure on South Africa.
The upcoming final on Sunday in Dubai will see New Zealand clash with former champions India. This semi-final was the last Champions Trophy match to be held in Pakistan.
In their chase of 363, South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton early for 17. However, Bavuma, after a slow start, found his form and partnered with van der Dussen for a crucial 105-run stand, bringing up the team’s century in the 18th over.
But New Zealand captain Santner’s spell of three wickets turned the game. He broke the partnership by dismissing Bavuma in the 23rd over, followed by a superb delivery to bowl out van der Dussen. Santner then claimed the wicket of the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen (3), who was caught out by Matt Henry.
Ravindra then dismissed Aiden Markram (31) with a caught and bowled, leaving South Africa at 189 for 5 in the 33rd over. Wiaan Mulder (8), Marco Jansen (3), and Keshav Maharaj (1) fell quickly afterwards. Miller then showcased his class, hitting 10 fours and four sixes to reach his century on the final ball of South Africa’s innings.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand’s innings began with a solid 48-run opening partnership between Ravindra and Will Young (21), before Young was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi (3/72) in the eighth over.
Ravindra and Williamson then dominated, adding 164 runs for the second wicket and taking the score past 250 in the 40th over. Ravindra, in excellent form, played powerful pull shots and elegant back-foot drives on his way to his second century of this Champions Trophy, having previously scored 112 against Bangladesh. This century marked his fifth in ICC tournaments, including three in the 2023 World Cup in India.
Williamson, after a shaky start, batted with composure to reach his 15th ODI century and his fourth against South Africa. He has now scored centuries in his last three ODI matches against the Proteas.
The left-right batting combination of Ravindra and Williamson proved challenging for the South African bowlers. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder had to leave the field due to a strain after bowling six overs, taking one wicket for 48 runs.
Ravindra was eventually caught by Heinrich Klaasen off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling (2/70), while Williamson mistimed a ramp shot and was caught by Ngidi off Mulder.
Mitchell then contributed a quickfire 49, including four fours and a six in his 37-ball innings, and Phillips smashed six fours and a six in his 27 balls to further inflate New Zealand’s total.
