Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has stated that New Zealand ‘annihilated’ South Africa, scolding the Proteas for not even attempting to stage a fight in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy against the Kiwis.
Chasing 363 for a win against New Zealand, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton fell for 17, but Temba Bavuma started struggling for rhythm and joined Rassie van der Dussen in a making an important 105-run partnership, which still bore no fruit.
Karthik said South Africa should have made them work for their victory if they wanted to lose by 50 runs. “I want to state it on record. New Zealand annihilated South Africa; it was as simple as that. They were not in the game. I thought South Africa would get close and put pressure on them,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“That’s what you expected from South Africa. This is a meek surrender. They were not in the game so early. You can’t turn up to a semifinal feeling happy to be there, play like a champion team,” said Karthik.
This was the ninth defeat in 11 such instances for South Africa, run in knockout stages of ICC ODI tournaments.
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Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson hit commanding hundreds, as New Zealand hammered South Africa by 50 runs in a high-scoring semifinal that set up a summit clash against India at the Champions Trophy in Lahore.
“When it comes down to it, you’ve got to back yourself to be able to chase 90 in the last ten or 85 maximum, because it just cannot happen to chase 140. Even for a T20, that becomes very close. With an old ball and few wickets, it becomes near impossible,” Karthik said.
Ravindra’s masterly innings of 108 runs came from 101 balls and included 13 fours and 1 six; Williamson’s 102 runs came from 94 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes.
Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37 balls), Glenn Phillips (49 not out off 27 balls), and Michael Bracewell (16 off 12 balls) capitalized on this beautiful foundation, adding 112 runs in the last 10 overs, finishing up New Zealand to a massive total of 362/6.
The Kiwis will face India in the final of the Champions Trophy on March 9, Dubai.
