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Ayushi Singh

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New Zealand vs South Africa

New Zealand vs South Africa: 3 turning points in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final clash

Credits: ICC/X

India has a task cut out in the summit clash of the ICC Champions Trophy as an in-form New Zealand team has set up the date. The high-flying Kiwis fired from all corners to send South Africa packing with a 50-run victory in the semi-final at Gaddafi Stadium. The marquee event now moves out of Pakistan as the India vs New Zealand final has claimed the final spot on March 9 at the Dubai International Stadium. The challenge appears as steep for the Men in Blue as it does for the Kiwis, who will play their second fixture in Dubai, where India has played all of their matches so far. With the New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner spinning lethal webs match after match, it's poised to be a spin tussle between the finalists at the Champions Trophy.

The twin century stunners by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson

South Africa fumbled against the all-round attack from the Kiwis. Opting to bat first in Lahore, the tone for the victory was set by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. Though South Africa managed to send Will Young back cheaply, the big-event hitter Ravindra refused to push back. The New Zealand vs Bangladesh group-stage encounter marked the Champions Trophy debut for Ravindra. The 25-year-old all-rounder, meanwhile, hit his fourth ton in an ICC event right on his debut. While Ravindra failed to make an impact against India, the opener was back at it in the semi-final against South Africa.

The young gun settled in, wading through the attack by Rabada and Ngidi seamlessly. Laden with well-timed boundaries, Ravindra registered his fifth ICC ton as Williamson stood firm at the other end. The veteran, meanwhile, completed 19,000 ODI runs as he raced to his own century after Ravindra departed at 106. When the Proteas finally managed to send both Ravindra and Williamson back, New Zealand had rushed to 257, building the perfect stage for a 350-plus total.

Concluding fireworks by Glenn Phillips

While South Africa would have fancied their chances to restrict the Kiwis to a chaseable total after their set batters departed, Mitchell and Phillips set off the concluding fireworks. By the time Williamson departed after his century, Daryl Mitchell had settled in. Mitchell finally broke the shackles as he dispatched Jansen for a boundary before taking Ngidi to the cleaners with a sequence of 6, 4, 6. Phillips then took charge, dismantling Jansen with four consecutive boundaries. Even after Mitchell’s dismissal, Phillips showed no signs of slowing down, propelling New Zealand beyond the 360-run mark. The final six overs turned into a run-fest, with the Kiwis smashing a staggering 83 runs to close their innings on a high.

Spin web by skipper Mitchell Santner

As if the 363-run target didn't already look insurmountable, Mitchell Santner showed up with his defining spell. While Ryan Rickelton departed early during the pace attack by Matt Henry, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen posed some resistance. The partnership took nicely upon William O'Rourke, but they fell helpless against the spin challenge. After Michael Bracewell applied pressure, Mitchell Santner banked on the momentum. While Bavuma and van der Dussen managed individual fifties, the game came rushing back to the Kiwis as Santner dismissed the set batters in quick succession.

The partnership, meanwhile, was the first and last chance for South Africa in the match. Any remaining chances of resurgence were dashed quickly as Santner removed Heinrich Klaasen cheaply. From there, the fans noted a lone-fighting knock from David Miller. Though Miller raced to a hard-hitting century, 363 was one mighty total to be chased alone. Miller's century set the scene minutes before the match closed in a 50-run victory for New Zealand, who now head to Dubai for the summit clash against India.

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