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Gutsy centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson followed by a decent bowling display helped New Zealand secure the ICC Champions Trophy final berth against India on Wednesday.
They defeated the formidable South Africa by 50 runs in the second semifinal at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in what could be termed as another clinical dsplay by the Black Caps.
They will now travel to Dubai to face India on Sunday in the final of the eight-team tournament.
Chasing a daunting 363-run target, South Africa’s batting unit amassed 312/9 in their allotted overs despite David Miller’s blitz at the backend.
The Proteas got off to a shaky start to their innings as opening batter Ryan Rickelton (17) iwas dismissed by Matt Henry with just 20 runs on the scoreboard.
Following the early hiccup, in-form van der Dussen joined Bavuma in the middle and launched recovery.
The duo made a crucial 105-run stand for the second wicket which saw both of them scoring half-centuries.
The Black Caps skipper Mitchell Santner removed his South African counterpart in the 23rd over. Bavuma went back to the hut after scoring 57 off 71. Rassie van der Dussen was then involved in a brief 36-run stand with Aiden Markram before perishing to Santner. He smashed four fours and two sixes for his 66-ball 69.
His departure triggered South Africa collapse as the continue to lose wickets at regular interval.
Only David Miller offered a notable fightback with an unbeaten century but his efforts were not enough to seal the deal for South Africa.
He smashed 10 fours and four sixes on his way to an unbeaten 100 off 67 deliveries.
Santner was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking three wickets for 43 runs in his 10 overs,
Earlier, Ravindra and Williamson struck brilliant centuries as New Zealand posted the highest-ever Champions Trophy total of 362-6 in Lahore.
Ravindra cracked a 101-ball 108 while Williamson hit 102 off 94 balls on a batting-friendly Gaddafi Stadium pitch after New Zealand elected to bat.
Daryl Mitchell clubbed 49 off 37 balls and Glenn Phillips smashed a 27-ball 49 not out as the Black Caps plundered 110 runs in the last 10 overs and 66 in the last five. South Africa’s bowling line-up struggled right from the start as Ravindra and Will Young (21) put on 48 for the opening stand.
It was followed by a magnificent 164-run stand for the second wicket between Ravindra and Williamson that put the New Zealanders on track for a massive total, as the duo scored at will with some delightful strokes.
Ravindra completed his fifth ODI hundred – all coming in ICC events – from 93 balls with a two off Kagiso Rabada. While, Williamson notched up his 15th ODI ton with a ramped boundary, his third three-figure score in as many matches against South Africa.
It was Rabada who finally broke their stand by dismissing Ravindra caught behind. Ravindra hit 13 fours and one six in total.
Williamson chipped Wiaan Mulder into the hands of Lungi Ngidi in the 40th over after hitting 10 fours and two sixes.
Mitchell and Phillips added some late impetus after South Africa had briefly dragged things back to give themselves hope of limiting the score to under 350.
Fast bowler Ngidi finished with 3-72, while Rabada ended with figures of 2-70.
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