Driven by impressive centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, New Zealand reached a total of 362 for 6 against South Africa in the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips also contributed valuable runs towards the end of the innings. After the strong foundation laid by Ravindra and Williamson with a significant 164-run partnership, New Zealand aggressively added 110 runs in the final overs in Lahore, establishing a substantial score to defend.
New Zealand, keeping their lineup unchanged, began steadily after choosing to bat in familiar conditions. Following a cautious start, Ravindra began to accelerate, particularly targeting Marco Jansen. He demonstrated his dominance by hitting three powerful boundaries in one over from Jansen, while Will Young capitalized on some short deliveries at the other end. However, against the flow of play, Lungi Ngidi disrupted the partnership by dismissing Young with a slower ball.
Although South Africa briefly managed to control the scoring rate as Williamson settled in, the momentum shifted once Williamson found his rhythm, highlighted by a well-executed flick against Kagiso Rabada. Ravindra continued his aggressive approach, hitting Wiaan Mulder for three fours in an over. The introduction of Keshav Maharaj temporarily slowed down the boundary flow, but both Ravindra and Williamson countered by each hitting Maharaj for a six.
As Ravindra and Williamson maintained their scoring, they both achieved their centuries. This marked Ravindra’s fifth ODI century, remarkably all within ICC tournaments. Williamson then increased his scoring rate, notably playing a scoop shot against Rabada. Just as they needed a breakthrough, South Africa got a wicket when Ravindra edged a slower off-cutter from Rabada to Klaasen, departing for 108. Williamson continued his innings strongly, using the scoop again to reach his 15th ODI century – his third consecutive against South Africa. A key aspect of his innings was his acceleration, reaching his second fifty in just 30 balls.
However, Williamson’s attempt to accelerate further led to his dismissal as he mistimed a scoop shot and was caught off a fuller delivery. Tom Latham was dismissed in similar fashion, missing a good length delivery from Rabada and getting bowled. With both centurions and Latham out, New Zealand relied on Mitchell to provide the late-innings hitting power.
After initially struggling for boundaries, Mitchell found his form on his 27th delivery, which sparked his innings. He followed up with another boundary off Jansen and then aggressively attacked Ngidi, hitting him for 6,4,6. Phillips joined in, smashing four consecutive boundaries off Jansen. Phillips continued to score rapidly after Mitchell’s dismissal, guiding New Zealand past the 360 mark as they scored an impressive 83 runs in the final six overs.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 362/6 in 50 overs (Rachin Ravindra 108, Kane Williamson 102, Glenn Phillips 49*; Lungi Ngidi 3/72) vs South Africa
