Proteas knocked out by dominant New Zealand in Champions Trophy semi-final

A fighting century from David Miller was not enough as South Africa were eliminated in the penultimate round of the Champions Trophy tournament on Wednesday, after being outplayed in all departments by New Zealand in their semifinal clash in Lahore.

Chasing a mammoth target of 363 runs to win, the Proteas were restricted to 312/9, as the Blacks Caps picked up a 50-run victory and secured a place in the final to be played against India in Dubai on Sunday.

“New Zealand were above par,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma admitted after the match.

“I think as well as they batted, we still backed ourselves to chase more than 350 with the wicket getting better.”

The SA team got off to a good start in their chase, with opener Bavuma contributing 56 runs off 71 balls and Rassie van der Dussen hitting 69 off 66. But they were unable to hold on to wickets, and they struggled to keep up with the required run rate as the pressure mounted throughout their innings.

Big-hitting batter Miller put up a fight down the order, making 100 not out off 67 deliveries, but while he smashed 48 runs off the last three overs, the Proteas were left with too much to do at the death.

The Black Caps bowling attack did well to build on the performance of their batters, spearheaded by spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 3/43.

“We had one or two good partnerships but not enough. Either me or Rassie (van der Dussen) needed to go big, which didn’t happen,” Bavuma said.

New Zealand innings

Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, New Zealand’s top-order batters were superb.

Opener Rachin Ravindra and experienced compatriot Kane Williamson both scored centuries, with the duo sharing 164 runs for the second wicket.

Ravindra made 108 off 101 balls before Kagiso Rabada had him caught behind by Heinrich Klaasen with a slower ball in the 34th over. And Williamson, who was dropped by Klaasen on 56 (with the keeper spilling a tough chance), hit 102 off 94 before he too was removed six overs later when he was caught by Lungi Ngidi at short fine leg of a Wiaan Mulder delivery.

Following the dismissals of Ravindra and Williamson, the Black Caps were well carried by their middle order (including quickfire knocks by Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, who both bashed 49) as they reached 362/6 in their 50 overs.

Ngidi, who took 3/72, and Rabada, who picked up 2/70, were the best of the Proteas bowlers.

“It’s a great feeling to contribute to an emphatic win in a semi-final,” said Ravindra, who was named Player of the Match.