New Zealand stun South Africa to reach semis
March 25, 2011 09:38 pm
DHAKA, March 25 (Reuters) - New Zealand knocked South Africa out of the World Cup on Friday with an upset 49-run win in the third quarter-final.
It was the fifth defeat in as many World Cup knockout matches for the South Africans since their first appearance at the 1992 tournament.
South Africa were cruising to victory at 108 for two in pursuit of a modest target of 222 with their premier batsman Jacques Kallis well set on 47.
But Kallis was magnificently caught on the boundary by Jacob Oram off Tim Southee, JP Duminy was bowled for three and AB de Villiers run out two balls later for 35.
New Zealand, who had fielded tenaciously and bowled with spirit, piled on the pressure with medium-pacer Oram bowling snapping up two more quick wickets.
Faf du Plessis, who was dropped by Oram on 29, hit the New Zealander for six off the next ball before holing out to Southee for 36. Morne Morkel was the last man to fall for three as South Africa were dismissed for 172 off 43.2 overs.
Jesse Ryder anchored the New Zealand innings with 83, his maiden World Cup half-century. But although the Kiwis became the only team in the tournament to bat through their overs against South Africa their eventual total of 221 for eight seemed well short of a challenging total.
New Zealand, who have now reached the semi-finals six times, will meet the winners of Saturday’s quarter-final between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo next Tuesday.
It was the fifth defeat in as many World Cup knockout matches for the South Africans since their first appearance at the 1992 tournament.
South Africa were cruising to victory at 108 for two in pursuit of a modest target of 222 with their premier batsman Jacques Kallis well set on 47.
But Kallis was magnificently caught on the boundary by Jacob Oram off Tim Southee, JP Duminy was bowled for three and AB de Villiers run out two balls later for 35.
New Zealand, who had fielded tenaciously and bowled with spirit, piled on the pressure with medium-pacer Oram bowling snapping up two more quick wickets.
Faf du Plessis, who was dropped by Oram on 29, hit the New Zealander for six off the next ball before holing out to Southee for 36. Morne Morkel was the last man to fall for three as South Africa were dismissed for 172 off 43.2 overs.
Jesse Ryder anchored the New Zealand innings with 83, his maiden World Cup half-century. But although the Kiwis became the only team in the tournament to bat through their overs against South Africa their eventual total of 221 for eight seemed well short of a challenging total.
New Zealand, who have now reached the semi-finals six times, will meet the winners of Saturday’s quarter-final between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo next Tuesday.
