Fri, 25 Mar 2011 - New Zealand vs South Africa, World Cup 2011, 3rd Quarter Final Match - Bulletin

Kiwis stun chokers South Africa, enter semis

The “C” word came back to haunt Africa as they choked to a 49-run defeat against a redeemed New Zealand side in a pulsating quarter final at Shere Bangla on Friday.

The unexpected Kiwi victory was fashioned by spectacular New Zealand bowling and fielding with big Jacob Oram turning out to be the star of the day with figures of 4 for 39 and two spectacular catches - one of which proved the turning point of the game. Deservedly, he won the man of the match award.

South Africa had seemed on course towards the target when Kallis and De Viliers were together and milking the Kiwi bowling with ease. It was then the turning point of the game arrived. Kaliis, who till then had looked epitome of concentration on his way to well-grafted 47, decided to send a short ball from Southee outside park.

The ball, as it sailed into the sky, appeared all set to end up falling into the stands before Jacob Oram chose the occasion to display his acrobatics ability and leaped couple of feet off his ground to pluck tournament’s best catch at deep midwicket.

From there on, South Africa slumped from one low to another as in a moment of desperation and agony they lost wickets in heap(or as Navjot Singh Sidhu would say like cycles parked in front of a cinema stand of India) and in the end surrendering the game tamely to the kiwis.

Though De Plessis did show a sparks of fight towards the end on his way to a plucky 43-ball 36, Oram came back to castle him and ensured New Zealand would go into their 6th semifinal of world cup.

Credit for this victory would also go to Nathan McCullum who while starting the bowling for the kiwis sent the dangerous Amla back to the hut in the very first over. In a rendition of good-old day spin bowling, Nathan bowled with some impeccable length and returned with the figures of 3 for 24 in ten overs.

Earlier, winning the toss and batting first New Zealand had posted 221 courtesy a brilliant 121-ball 83 by Jesse Ryder who held the Kiwi innings together amidst the fall of wickets from the other end.

New Zealand win by 49 runs, SA ousted

South Africa: 172 / 10 in 43.2 overs (RR: 3.97)

Last man out: Morne Morkel: 3(17) c. Sub(How) b. oram

And it’s all over. South Africa have choked or should we say suffocated again. Years after years, the tag of choker is something Africans have found hard to get rid of and it’s going to stay only.

What a victory for New Zealand! They came into the game as underdogs but what a turnaround they staged today! 221 was never going to be enough but their bowlers and fielders turned the game on its head with a stupendous perforamce.

Jacob Oram finished with 4 for 39.

South Africa : 172 / 9 in 42.5 overs (RR: 4.00)

Last man out: Du Plessis : 36(43) c. Southee b. oram

New Zealand are on the verge of semifinal as South Africans have nearly choked here. Du Plessis who was playing so well had been brilliantly caught by Southee off Oram. Fourth wicket for Oram. What a game he has had today?

South Africa : 156 / 8 in 40 overs (RR: 3.90)

South Africa need 66 off 60. Plessis is still battling out in the middle. Can he do a Klusener today?

It’s been a humdinger of a game. Just a spare of thought for Alan Donald, the Kiwi bowling coach. What kind of emotion must be going through his mind? You can guess only.

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