In what has become a familiar pattern, South Africa’s cricket team continues to dominate the Men’s World Cup, consistently piling on a substantial number of runs when batting first, often with the aid of one, two, or even three centuries. With a track record of seven matches into the tournament, having lost just one, it’s evident that this South African team is distinct from its predecessors. Now, it would be unwise to doubt their path to the semifinals, even if they were to chase a target.
In their recent encounter with New Zealand, the game was played in Pune, or more precisely, Pimpri-Chinchwad or Gahunje, as the various aspects of cricket in Pune seem loosely connected. The city boasts educational institutions, military bases, high-rise apartment buildings, and ongoing metro system construction, all intertwined by the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and its congested tributaries.
As a metaphor for New Zealand’s erratic performance, the Pune setting fits well. The Kiwis chose to field first, overlooking South Africa’s impressive track record of scoring over 300 runs in seven consecutive ODIs when batting first. Unfortunately for New Zealand, this trend continued, making it eight in a row after their encounter on Wednesday.
South Africa’s dominance might have been different had it not been for Matt Henry’s hamstring injury during the game, along with several other players’ temporary impairments. With only 11 fit and eligible players left, New Zealand’s challenge became even more daunting.
Despite their initial hopes, New Zealand’s pursuit of South Africa’s 357/4 total, highlighted by Quinton de Kock’s 114 and Rassie van der Dussen’s 133, seemed insurmountable, especially against South Africa’s top-class bowlers. New Zealand’s struggles were apparent as they faltered to 90/5 within 19 overs, with a telling moment during Kagiso Rabada’s fifth over when Shakira’s “Waka Waka” blared from the stadium’s speakers.
South Africa’s sixth victory out of seven games came with impressive ease. De Kock and Van der Dussen’s partnership of 200 runs for the second wicket was ruthless, while Keshav Maharaj’s sharp turn and bounce and Marco Jansen’s pacey spells ensured New Zealand’s middle order crumbled. All this against an opponent that had shown promise in earlier matches.
South Africa’s journey to the semifinals hasn’t been without its challenges, including a defeat to the Netherlands and a narrow victory over Pakistan. However, Wednesday’s dominant performance has made it clear that South Africa is a formidable force in this tournament, and only one team remains that could potentially challenge their path to the World Cup‘s final stages. A crucial showdown awaits in Kolkata on Sunday, where South Africa might be up against the unbeaten India, creating a thrilling contest to watch.
Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
