South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was a happy and relieved man after inching close to the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with a comprehensive 190-run victory over New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday.
“Clinical display I would say,” Bavuma sumarised at the post match interview.
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Quinton de Kock smashed his fourth century of the World Cup and Rassie van der Dussen also hit a ton to help the Proteas get their sixth win in seven matches.
De Kock struck 114 and Van der Dussen exploded late on to score 133 for his second ton of the showpiece as South Africa posted 357-4. The Proteas built on the pair’s 200-run partnership with 119 in the last 10 overs as David Miller put the New Zealand bowlers to the sword with a 30-ball 53.
“We had a good partnership between de Kock and Rassie. Fairly happy, clinical in terms of the execution by the bowlers. Quinny and I tried to assess the conditions. We pouched on the bad balls, was able to get a couple of away,” Bavuma said.
“Quinny wasn’t in his flow at the start, but stuck to the plan – go unscathed till the 30th over and then maximise with our big hitters,” he added.
For record, only three batters have scored four or more centuries in a single World Cup edition.
New Zealand were left needing a rescue act after collapsing to 90-5 inside 19 overs while chasing 358, with only Will Young (33) and Daryl Mitchell (24) offering any resistance, but South Africa did not relent and dismissed them for 167 in 35.3 overs.
Pace bowler Marco Jansen (3-31) began the rout with an early double strike, while spinner Keshav Maharaj (4-46) landed timely blows to ensure New Zealand had no way back in Pune despite a defiant 60 by Glenn Phillips.
“We knew they were going to come hard at us, and we would get the opportunities. We did what we have been doing,” Bavuma said in further praise for his bowlers.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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