New Zealand have beaten South Africa to make their way to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 9 March 2025. (Match Highlights | More Cricket News)
As the second semi-final witnessed a huge run-fest in Lahore and shattered many records, let's discuss five talking points from the match
New Zealand have beaten South Africa to make their way to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 9 March 2025. (Match Highlights | More Cricket News)
Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra made quality hundreds which helped New Zealand set the highest total in the tournament history. South Africa tried their best but could not reach the target des🐼pite David Miller's yet another fantastic knock under pr♐essure.
As the second semi-final witnessed a huge run-fest🦩 in Lahore and shattered many records, let's discuss five talking points from the match
Rachin Ravindra continued to shine at the biggest stage in the ODI cricket and scored his second century of the tournament. Playing just his 33rd ODI match, he scored his fifth ODI ton. His all ODI centuries have come in the ICC tournaments. He made 108 runs off just 101 balls including 13 fours and one six. He also bowled five overs in the match conceding just 20 runs and took thไe crucial wicket of Aiden Markram. He was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
The veteran Kiwi batter scored his 15th ODI century in a must-win game to help his team post a respectable total on the board. New Zealand had lost their first wicket early but he added 164ꩵ runs for the second wicket with Ravindra to set 🎐the tone for other Kiwi batters. This was the highest partnership for New Zealand for any wicket in the Champions Trophy.
Williamson also completed his 19000 runs in the international cricket dℱuring his 91-ball knock. He hit 10 fours and a couple🉐 of sixes in his 102-run knock.
New Zealand's deep batting lineup is another talking point of the match. After hundreds from Ravindra and Will🎀iamson, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips made quick runs in the middle-order to guide their team to a big total.
Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner are certified all-rounders and can score runs at a good pace. Tom Latham has the ability to score runs and take the inning forward with his dependable batting style. He already has a century in the tournament. Kyle Jamieson, who did not come to bat in this match, is an able allrounder. The Black Caps ha♛ve a deep batting lineup.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner proved his brilliance once again and took his team to another victory with his unique captaincy. He used seven bowlers and managed to keep South Africa at the backfoot in the game. He took three crucial wickets which changed the momentum at different stages of 🐬the match. His captaincy will be tested against India in the final as New Zealand have lost their group-stage match against India. How Santner will come prepared for the summit clash, will be a thing to watch.
David Miller was the only positive for South Africa in the match. He scored the fastest century in the histor👍y of ICC Champions Trophy by completing his ton on the lasဣt ball of the match. He took 67 balls to complete his unbeaten century which included 10 fours and four sixes.
Miller has always stood up for South Africa in the knockou🔯ts. His last ODI ton came against Australia in the semi-fi𓆉nal of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.