In what will be remembered as one of the darkest days in South African cricket history, the Proteas choked in a do-or-die game once again and suffered a shocking 13-run defeat against the Netherlands at the Adelaide Oval on November 06 (Sunday). Temba Bavuma's is all likelihood crashed out of the tournament. The slim chance they have of still making the semi-finals rest on the possibility of rain in Pakistan versus Bangladesh. Having said that, there is no forecast of rain in Melbourne and it a bright sunny day in the city.
The Netherlands recorded one of their biggest victories in world cricket as they stunned a far superior side in South Africa. Sent into bat, Netherlands rode on a collective effort from its top-order to post 158 for 4. Colin Ackermann top-scored for the Dutch with a 26-ball unbeaten 41, while Tom Cooper made 35 off 19 balls.
Keshav Maharaj (2/27) picked up two wickets for South Africa.
Defending the target, Netherlands bowlers rose to the occasion and restricted South Africa to 145 for 8 with Brandon Glover (3/9) scalping three batters. Rilee Rossouw top-scored for South Africa with a 25-run knock.
Group 2 semi-final qualification scenario
After South Africa's shocking defeat against minnows Netherlands, the Proteas are all but out of the tournament. Temba Bavuma's men have five points in five matches. With South Africa's defeat, India have now qualified for the semi-finals as the result of the Men in Blue's game against Zimbabwe later in the day will have no bearing on the semi-final qualification scenario as Rohit Sharma's men already have six points in four matches.
The match between Pakistan and Bangladesh now becomes a virtual knockout for both teams as the winner will automatically qualify for the semi-finals. Both teams have four points in five matches so far and the winner will hump to six points. If India wins the match against Zimbabwe, they will finish with eight points and top Group 2. In that case, the Men in Blue will face England in the semi-finals.
(More to follow)
