New Zealand on Wednesday booked their place in the final of the Champions Trophy against India after sparkling centuries by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson helped them earn a 50-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final.
Electing to bat, New Zealand racked up a tournament record 362-6 on the back of a 164-run stand between Ravindra and Williamson.
David Miller smashed an unbeaten 100 off 67 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma struck half-centuries, but South Africa could only manage 312-9 in reply.
Photo: AP
Mitchell Santner, captaining New Zealand in a global tournament for the first time, used seven bowlers and led by example with a match-turning 3-43.
“It’s a cool feeling [to make the final]. We were challenged by a good side,” Santner said. “We were pretty happy with 360, obviously, but we know with the power South Africa have it was going to be a challenge.”
New Zealand lost opener Will Young in the eighth over after Santner elected to bat.
Ravindra and Williamson combined in a mammoth second-wicket stand in what looked like the coming together of the present and future of New Zealand’s batting.
The curly-haired Ravindra and the cool-as-a-cucumber Williamson scored at over a run a ball to deflate South Africa.
Williamson got a reprieve after completing his half-century when Heinrich Klaasen dived to his right, but could not hold on to the catch.
Ravindra was flawless at the other end and raced to a 93-ball century before Kagiso Rabada dismissed him for 108, which included 13 fours and a six.
All of Ravindra’s five centuries in one-day internationals have come in International Cricket Council events.
Williamson played two ramp shots in Wiaan Mulder’s sixth over — the first brought up his 15th one-day international century and the second his downfall.
Williamson’s 102 was studded with 10 fours and two sixes.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips chipped in with brisk 49s as New Zealand eclipsed Australia’s 356-5 against England last month as the highest team total in the tournament’s history.
New Zealand began their defense well, as Kyle Jamieson started with a maiden over and Matt Henry got rid of Ryan Rickelton in his third over.
Bavuma (56) and Van der Dussen (69) revived South Africa with a run-a-ball stand of 105 before Santner hollowed out their middle order.
The spinner removed both the set batters and dismissed Heinrich Klaasen to put New Zealand on top.
Player of the match Ravindra dismissed Aiden Markram (31), but Miller would not go down without a fight.
He smacked four sixes and 10 fours in his blistering knock that proved South Africa could have done better with enough wickets in hand.
“We needed someone to play well. David did that, but we needed someone else,” Bavuma said. “Credit to their batters, they put us under pressure.”
New Zealand fly to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for Sunday’s final against India, who prevailed when the sides faced each other in a group match.
India have refused to tour Pakistan because of strained political relations between the Asian neighbors and have played all their matches in Dubai.
SIBLING RIVALRY: Marc Marquez was locked in a duel with his little brother, falling behind at one point before recovering for his first season-opening victory since 2014 Six-time world champion Marc Marquez yesterday won the MotoGP season-opening Thailand Grand Prix to complete a dominant debut weekend at his new Ducati Lenovo Team, having also romped to Saturday’s sprint. The Spanish great took the 26-lap grand prix by 1.732 seconds for his 63rd MotoGP victory from younger brother Alex Marquez, who is still seeking a first checkered flag, with Francesco Bagnaia third to complete an all-Ducati podium. It completed a perfect weekend for Marc Marquez, who took pole position, the sprint victory and the grand prix win for a maximum 37 points to open the 22-leg 2025 campaign. He led from
Donovan Mitchell on Wednesday scored 26 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers punched their ticket to the NBA playoffs with a hard-fought 112-107 victory over the Miami Heat. A seesaw battle in Cleveland saw the Heat threaten to end the Cavs’ 11-game unbeaten streak after opening up a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs clawed back the deficit in the closing minutes to seal their 12th straight victory and a place in the post-season. The Cavaliers improved to 52-10, maintaining their stranglehold on the Eastern Conference with 20 games of the regular season remaining. Mitchell was one of six Cleveland
VALUABLE POINT: Relegation-threatened Valencia snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw at CA Osasuna thanks to a remarkable backheel volley by Umar Sadiq Barcelona on Sunday secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad to move back top of La Liga. Aritz Elustondo’s early red card gave Hansi Flick’s side a comfortable afternoon, with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the score sheet. Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to temporarily knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, third, lost at Real Betis Balompie. Flick was able to rotate his side a little ahead of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 visit to face SL Benfica tomorrow and still move one point above Atletico. “There were a lot of things that
Frenchman Romain Gregoire could hardly believe his luck on Saturday watching the lead group of about 12 riders take a wrong turn at a roundabout at the Ardeche Classic. The slip follows a similar incident at The Volta ao Algarve last week where Gregoire was also present. On Saturday it was the lead group, including race favorite and defending champion Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates, who made the embarrassing gaffe. “I have to admit it’s a very strange feeling with these riders who made a mistake 300m from the line,” said Groupama-FDJ rider Gregoire, who held his head in disbelief at the
RSS