The question of whether a total of 357 runs would be sufficient to defend against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2023 was answered with authority by the South African cricket team. The backdrop to this query lay in New Zealand’s near-miraculous chase of 388 runs in their previous match, a feat that had raised questions about their ability to chase down substantial targets.
However, South Africa’s response to this inquiry was nothing short of emphatic. In a clash that took place in Pune, they delivered a remarkable performance that saw them secure a resounding victory, winning by a margin of 190 runs. This result sent a strong message to their opponents and the cricketing world at large.
In the ICC World Cup 2023, South Africa found themselves at a disadvantage after losing the toss earlier in the day. Their encounter with New Zealand proved to be a challenging one, primarily due to the exceptional bowling performance delivered by Trent Boult in the initial stages of the match. Boult, known for his prowess with the new ball, produced one of his finer spells in the tournament.
Following the early dismissal of South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen teamed up with Quinton de Kock in the middle. The duo proceeded to put on a remarkable batting display, forming an extraordinary partnership that would go on to amass a staggering 200 runs for the second wicket. This partnership was not only pivotal in their innings but also marked a historic achievement for South Africa against New Zealand in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), as it became the highest partnership ever recorded between the two teams, regardless of the wicket.
Quinton de Kock, in particular, was in exceptional form during this partnership. He exhibited his batting prowess and contributed significantly to the team’s total. During this outstanding partnership, de Kock reached a personal milestone by completing his fourth century in the World Cup edition, showcasing his dominance and consistency in the tournament. This century also marked his 21st overall in ODIs, further solidifying his reputation as one of the premier batsmen in the format.
During the match, Rassie van der Dussen had a bit of good fortune as he was given a couple of lifelines when facing Jimmy Neesham’s bowling. These crucial drops occurred when he was on the scores of 68 and 72, allowing him to continue his innings. After surviving these chances, van der Dussen settled into a rhythm and calmly progressed to reach his century, achieving this milestone in just 101 balls.
However, his innings eventually came to an end when he was dismissed by Tim Southee in the 18th over, having scored a total of 133 runs. Despite his dismissal, van der Dussen’s 118-ball knock played a vital role in providing South Africa with the much-needed impetus in the latter stages of their innings.
The run-chase for New Zealand under the evening lights presented its own set of challenges, and as expected, it proved to be a challenging task. South African pacer Marco Jansen emerged as a key figure in this phase of the match, making a significant impact with the ball. His opening spell was particularly menacing, as he used the Pune pitch to generate extra bounce that troubled the New Zealand batsmen.
Jansen’s performance during the PowerPlay was nothing short of exceptional. His dismissal of Rachin Ravindra marked his 12th wicket in the first PowerPlay during the ICC World Cup 2023, establishing a record as the highest wicket-taker in this phase by any bowler in the tournament. Jansen’s ability to consistently take early wickets in crucial situations played a vital role in South Africa’s dominance and their eventual victory in the match. His knack for generating bounce and troubling the opposition’s top-order was a crucial element in South Africa’s successful defense of their total.
As the match progressed, by the time Kagiso Rabada took over the bowling duties in the 10th over, New Zealand found themselves in a challenging position at 45/2. Gerald Coetzee, who had replaced Marco Jansen, made an immediate impact, securing the wicket of Will Young during his very first over. Following this, Kagiso Rabada continued the pressure on the other side of the drinks break, using his skill to extract movement from the ball.
The fall of wickets continued for New Zealand as Mitchell Santner was bowled out next, and then Jimmy Neesham suffered a similar fate, leaving New Zealand at a precarious 110/8. It was a challenging phase for New Zealand’s middle and lower order.
During this period, Marco Jansen, who had earlier delivered a strong opening spell, returned for a fresh bowling spell and made his presence felt by accounting for Tim Southee, who was dismissed lbw.
Glenn Phillips, however, provided some entertainment during his innings, scoring 60 runs off 50 balls. But his departure signaled the end of the New Zealand innings. Throughout their innings, New Zealand struggled to make a significant impact and were unable to mount a successful chase against the target set by South Africa. The sequence of wickets and the strong bowling performance by the South African team made it apparent that New Zealand faced a daunting task in their pursuit.
With this win, South Africa notched up their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament, a remarkable streak that catapulted them up the points table. Temba Bavuma’s leadership and the collective efforts of the team were pivotal in securing this crucial win. As a result, South Africa moved to 12 points from 7 games in the round-robin stage, positioning themselves as strong contenders for a spot in the semifinals.
The victory over New Zealand in Pune not only added valuable points to South Africa’s tally but also bolstered their self-belief and momentum as they progressed in the tournament. They not only showcased their batting prowess but also exhibited the strength of their bowling and fielding units.
While New Zealand’s recent chase of 388 had been a testament to their batting might, South Africa’s formidable bowling attack proved that they were equally adept at defending a target. The 190-run margin of victory was not only a statement but also a psychological advantage that could linger in the minds of their future opponents.
