ICC T20: Proteas win, lose out on semi-final

An unbeaten 100 run partnership between Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram helped South Africa give England their first loss of the T20 World Cup.

But it was still not enough to give South Africa a place in the semi-finals.

South Africa were required to beat England by a good margin to increase their NRR beyond that of Australia and confirm a spot on the Top 4.

England won the toss and elected to field first. S

outh Africa needed to win the match by at least a margin of 60 plus runs.

Moeen Ali struck early on as he clean bowled Reeza Hendricks who scored just 3 runs off 8 deliveries.

After the dismissal of Hendricks, South Africa played well and both De Kock and Rassie van der Dussen established a good partnership.

South Africa played a bit slowly in the start then what was required to put a big total on the board.

They scored just 40 runs in the power play with the loss of 1 wicket.

But they started to accelerate after that and ended their 10 overs with a score of 73 for 1.

De Kock departed after scoring 34 runs. 

Rassie scored a magnificent 94 not out alongside side with Markram ( 52 off 25) to put up a huge total of 189 runs on the board, which is the highest total made against England in this world cup.

Both of them batted superbly, and their brilliant century stand gave South Africa an opportunity to win the game by a good margin to qualify for the semis. 

South Africa was required to restrict England below 131.

Also, England needed to score 87 runs to qualify for the semi-finals.

Van Dussen Shines again

Van der Dussen’s played a high class knock, he smashed the English bowlers for fours and sixes with ease.

He is now one of the main batters in the South African batting line-up.

He is trying his best to fill up the space left by AB De Villiers, which is not an easy task.

His knock of 94 not out is South Africa’s highest individual score in a men’s T20 World Cup.

His knock came in just 56 balls, but what was commendable was how superbly he shifted his gears after crossing 60 runs in his innings.

He smashed 6 sixes and 5 fours in his knock. 

Markram’s Power

Aiden Markram also played a crucial innings and scored a very quick fire 52 runs off just 25 balls, including 4 sixes and 2 fours.

He is improving day by day in white ball cricket, especially in the T20s.

Markram has proved himself on whichever number he is sent to bat for his side.

He first scored runs as an opener and now he is proving himself in the middle overs as well. 

England started the chase well but Roy (20 off 15 balls) retired hurt due to an injury.

Moeen came into bat and after hitting two big sixes, he was dismissed by Shamsi.

Malan and Livingstone also played some very good cameos, but England felt 10 runs short of their target and tasted their 1^st defeat of the tournament

Rabada’ Hat-Trick 

Rabada proved very expensive in his first 3 overs conceding 45 runs.

But he came back very strongly in his last over and picked up  brilliant a hat-trick by dismissing Morgan, Jordan and Woakes on 3 consecutive balls.

He ended up his spell with figures of 3 for 48

South Africa played well in this tournament and they won 4 out of their 5 games, but they were still unable to qualify for the semi-finals due to their lower run rate as compared to Australia.

So, South Africa are out of the tournament and Australia and England are the two semi-finalists from this group. 

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