iNDICA NEWS BUREAU–
South Africa maintained their unbeaten run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a thrilling seven-run victory over England in the Super Eight stage clash at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
After restricting South Africa to 163/6 in 20 overs, England’s chase faltered early, leaving them at 61-4 and needing 101 from their final nine overs. Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33) staged a remarkable comeback with a 78-run partnership off 42 balls for the fifth wicket.
With 25 runs needed from the final 18 balls, South Africa’s bowlers held their nerve, conceding only 17 runs to secure the win and top spot in Group 2. Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada claimed two wickets each, while Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman took one apiece.
England’s innings started promisingly with Phil Salt’s early boundaries, but Rabada struck first, dismissing Salt caught at cover. The defending champions then suffered a collapse, losing Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, and Moeen Ali in quick succession, leaving them at 61/4 in 10.2 overs.
Brook and Livingstone’s counter-attack began with aggressive shots against Nortje and Maharaj. They capitalized on Rabada’s pace in the 15th over, scoring 18 runs. The 17th over, bowled by Baartman, proved costly for South Africa, leaking 21 runs.
Despite Livingstone’s dismissal in the 18th over, Brook reached his half-century, leaving England needing 14 runs off the final over. However, Nortje’s clever slower ball led to Brook’s dismissal, with the South African captain Aiden Markram taking a spectacular catch at mid-off.
This crucial wicket effectively sealed the game for South Africa, as England fell short by seven runs.
England invited South Africa to bat first after winning the toss. Helped by a quickfire innings of 68 runs off just 38 balls by opening batsman Quinton de Kock, and a 28-ball 43 by David Miller, South Africa posted 163 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. However, brilliant fielding by South Africa and measured bowling by Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje enabled the Proteas to restrict England’s chase, handing them a crucial victory. This win has opened the door for South Africa to qualify for the semifinals.
Brief scores:
South Africa 163/6 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 65, David Miller 43; Jofra Archer 3-40) beat England 156/6 in 20 overs (Harry Brook 53, Liam Livingstone 33; Keshav Maharaj 2-25, Kagiso Rabada 2-32) by seven runs
