New Delhi: Quinton de Kock shined with the bat while Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball as South Africa beat hosts USA by 18 runs in their first T20 World Cup 2024 super 8 clash on Wednesday. In a tough chase of 195 runs, the US side showcased determination and courage to reach close to the total but unfortunately could not cross the finish line. This was the fifth consecutive win for Proteas in the showpiece event.
Batters shine for Proteas
While De Kock scored a remarkable 74 runs, Rabada claimed three crucial wickets to dent the proceedings of the hosts in the chase. Batting first, the Proteas scored 194/4 in the stipulated 20 overs on the back of De Kock’s special half-century and skipper Aiden Markram’s 46-run knock. While these two senior players did the bulk of the scoring for the side, Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs added important runs in the death overs to help their team to a massive total.
While Klaasen played an unbeaten knock of 36 runs off just 22 deliveries laden with three massive sixes, Stubbs added quick 20 runs off 16 balls to lift the side. For USA, Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh picked two wickets apiece.
Andries Gous fighting knock in vain
Andries Gous was the man for the hosts as his unbeaten 80-run knock in just 47 deliveries took USA very close to the target. But he lacked support from the other end as wickets tumbled continuously as a result of middle-order failure experienced by the side. Nevertheless, he smashed five boundaries and as many sixes in his splendid knock for USA.
Steven Taylor scored 26 runs at the top while Harmeet Singh added vital 38 runs to take his team to 176/6 at the close of play. For the Proteas, Rabada emerged as the star of the show with his 3-wicket haul that proved out to be the turning point in the match. Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi also contributed with a wicket each.
South Africa beat USA by 18 runs in T20 World Cup Super 8 clash on Wednesday. This was the fifth consecutive win for Proteas in the showpiece event. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
