In a thrilling T20 World Cup 2024 encounter on June 18, South Africa secured a well-deserved 18-run victory against the USA in their opening Super 8 match held in Antigua. This win extends their unbeaten streak in the tournament to a remarkable five games. Quinton de Kock played a pivotal role for the Proteas, rediscovering his form with a blistering half-century. His contribution helped South Africa post a formidable total of 194 runs. Kagiso Rabada then stepped up on the bowling front, claiming three crucial wickets and restricting the spirited American team to just 176 runs.
USA's Andries Gous' heroics go in vain
The USA, despite entering the Super 8 stage with impressive performances in the first round, ultimately fell short in their first-ever Super 8 appearance.
Stepping in for injured captain Monank Patel, Andries Gous shouldered the responsibility of chasing down South Africa's total for the co-hosts. He played a crucial role, keeping his team in contention until the very late stages of the innings. However, with the pressure mounting, Kagiso Rabada delivered a decisive blow. In a tense situation where the USA needed 28 runs from just 12 balls, Rabada dismissed Jasdeep Singh and conceded only two runs. This crucial wicket swing tilted the match heavily in South Africa's favor. Anrich Nortje delivered a nerve-wracking final over, conceding only seven runs and ensuring South Africa secured the victory. Gous, despite his team's defeat, stood out with a valiant 80-run knock. His brilliant innings featured five boundaries and five towering sixes, showcasing his impressive skills. Kagiso Rabada emerged as the standout performer for the Proteas with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets and conceding just 18 runs. With England and West Indies also placed in Group 2 of the Super 8s, this win holds significant value for South Africa. Besides, Gouse, Harmeet Singh also chipped in with a crucial 22-ball 38 but to only see his side crashing to Proteas, who are still unbeaten in the ongoin T20 World Cup.
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Quinton de Kock spur Proteas to big total
Earlier, Quinton de Kock's explosive 74 off 40 balls energised South Africa as they set a formidable 195-run target for the USA in a Group 2 Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup. Despite expectations of a slow, spin-friendly pitch, de Kock countered effectively, slicing through the USA’s bowling attack to notch his first fifty of the tournament, guiding South Africa to 194 for four in their 20 overs.
De Kock’s early blitz and captain Aiden Markram’s smooth 46 helped alleviate concerns about South Africa’s top order, which had struggled earlier in the group stage. Later innings fireworks were provided by Heinrich Klaasen (36 not out) and Tristan Stubbs (20 not out), who put together an unbeaten 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket in the final five overs.
The South African innings took off after a sluggish start that saw Reeza Hendricks fall for 11 to Saurabh Netravalkar (2/21) during the Powerplay. De Kock then partnered with Markram to hammer 110 runs in just 60 balls for the second wicket.
Following Hendricks' dismissal on a misjudged slower ball caught by Corey Anderson, de Kock aggressively took charge. He launched a fierce attack on Jasdeep Singh (0/36), smashing 28 runs including three sixes and two fours in Singh’s first over, decisively shifting momentum in South Africa’s favor.
Even when the USA turned to spin, de Kock maintained his aggressive stance, striking left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige for consecutive boundaries. South Africa ended the powerplay at 64 for 1.
De Kock was particularly punishing on any bowling errors, reaching his half-century in just 26 balls during an over where Harmeet Singh overstepped. He continued his assault on Corey Anderson, hitting him for 17 runs in the 12th over.
However, de Kock's spectacular innings ended when he misjudged a full toss from Harmeet in the same over, with Shayan Jahangir taking a sharp catch at deep midwicket. Harmeet struck again on the next ball, catching and dismissing David Miller. USA then reintroduced Netravalkar who soon ended Aiden Markram's innings, as Ali Khan took a stellar diving catch. Markram departed for a well-played 46 off 32 balls, just shy of his half-century.
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