Bat first, bat big and bat the opposition out of the game. That’s been South Africa’s success mantra in the Men’s World Cup so far. When New Zealand inserted South Africa in to bat after winning the toss, the Proteas were served an opportunity to repeat it at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday night.
And they did not disappoint. Riding on Quinton de Kock’s fourth hundred of the tournament and his scintillating partnership with Rassie van der Dussen, the other centurion, South Africa piled on a gargantuan 357 for four.
The batting line-up that fell one six short of chasing down a target of 389 against Australia in its last outing wilted under the Proteas firepower. As a result, well before Glenn Phillips’ counter-attack was over, more than half of the 31,940 spectators that had flocked to the stadium started their arduous journey back to the city.
While Keshav Maharaj took four wickets after the pace pack had taken the fizz out of the chase, the game was set up by de Kock and van der Dussen’s second 200-run partnership of the tournament.
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Captain Temba Bavuma was uncharacteristically aggressive - his six off Matt Henry over extra-cover being the stand-out stroke of the day. But after he miscued a drive off Trent Boult in the ninth over, van der Dussen joined de Kock at the crease.
For the next 144 minutes, the QDK and RVD show thrilled the gallery. The duo took its time to get going. At 94 for one in 20 overs, left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra was welcomed with a huge six in his first over as the next 10-over passage saw the duo adding 61 runs.
When de Kock cut a wider slower delivery straight to point off Tim Southee off the last ball of the 40th over, the launchpad was set for South Africa to finish the innings with a flourish.
David Miller, promoted ahead of Heinrich Klaasen to target the left-arm spin, did not disappoint as South Africa plundered 119 runs in the last 10 overs. The onslaught nearly put the chase out of New Zealand’s reach.
Once the pacers had reduced the Kiwis to 56 for three in the 11th over, the game was all but sealed for Maharaj to finish it off in a hurry. The fate of the game was sealed when Daryl Mitchell - who had earlier caught a sensational catch on the boundary rope to dismiss Miller - top-edged Maharaj and the skier was caught exceptionally by Miller.
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