South Africa v New Zealand: ICC Champions Trophy semi-final – reside | ICC Champions Trophy

WICKET! Ravindra c Klaasen b Rabada 108 (New Zealand 212-2)

thirty third over: New Zealand 212-1 (Ravindra 108, Williamson 80) The Blacks Caps have this sport within the palm of their palms. 5 singles off Maharaj earlier than Williamson will get down on one knee and launches an enormous six over midwicket. They’ll be focusing on 400. Sounds loopy however why not? Keep on like this with the firepower to come back they usually may do it.

Right here’s a wild stat from Wisden’s Yas Rana:

Rachin Ravindra already has as many ODI a whole lot as Brendon McCullum.

My phrase.

thirty second over: New Zealand 201-1 (Ravindra 105, Williamson 72) It’s an exhibition from these two. New Zealand’s biggest ever alongside the child who may eclipse him. Rabada, one of many greats himself, has simply haemorrhaged 17 runs within the over. Ravindra’s clipped two introduced him three figures earlier than he clipped 4 all the way down to tremendous leg. Then Williamson ramped a 4 with a cute paddle in the direction of tremendous leg and scythed one other 4 by way of cowl. They’re unstoppable. South Africa want this drinks break to regroup. Oh, Mulder is off injured. This isn’t going nicely for the Saffas.

Rachin Ravindra brings up his 100!

thirty first over: New Zealand 184-1 (Ravindra 98, Williamson 62) That’s a great over from Ngidi. Two cutters beat Ravindra’s angled blade. One was shut sufficient to think about a assessment that was burned. A two and a single from the left-hander takes him nearer to his ton.

They’re reviewing for a caught behind! I feel Ravindra has missed this Ngidi cutter, however they’re determined so price a glance I suppose. Nope, flat line on Ultraedge as anticipated. SA burn a assessment. Good nut, thoughts.

thirtieth over: New Zealand 181-1 (Ravindra 95, Williamson 62) Markram has his palms on his head as Williamson slaps a drive that has additional cowl diving, nevertheless it clears him and races away for 4 extra. It’s all going New Zealand’s manner.

twenty ninth over: New Zealand 175-1 (Ravindra 94, Williamson 57) Ngidi returns and Klaasen drops Williamson! It was a tough probability as he was diving full size to his proper, however the keeper, horizontal along with his physique, couldn’t get sufficient of a glove on it. Earlier within the over Ngidi’s cutter beat Ravindra’s outdoors edge. He’s been by far probably the most threatening of the Saffa bowlers.

twenty eighth over: New Zealand 169-1 (Ravindra 90, Williamson 55) Williamson brings up his second consecutive half-century on this match, however his coronary heart would have been in his mouth as he spooned Markram excessive into the leg aspect. Van der Dussen, operating in from deep midwicket, thought in regards to the dive however opted out so it landed safely as they got here again for 2. Kane then nails a reverse sweep for 4. 4 singles throughout the set. One other productive over price 10.

twenty seventh over: New Zealand 159-1 (Ravindra 88, Williamson 47) A little bit of luck brings up the 100-run partnership as Ravindra edges Maharaj for 4. No slip in place means its palms on heads for the Saffas. No luck concerned three balls later as Williamson comes down the observe and deposits a excessive and good-looking six over vast lengthy on.

twenty sixth over: New Zealand 147-1 (Ravindra 83, Williamson 43) Kane brings out the reverse sweep however can’t get it away. He’s crushed from the primary and picks out brief third with the second. Ravindra cuts – uppishly – previous Bavuma within the covers who dives however can’t attain it. Van der Dussen mops up as they arrive again for 3.

twenty fifth over: New Zealand 143-1 (Ravindra 80, Williamson 39) Ravindra is crushed within the flight as he comes down the observe. It’s a lot shorter than he was anticipating, however he throws his palms at it and smacks it down the bottom for 4. He’s on the pitch of the subsequent one and nails a giant six vast of mid-on. After 24 deliveries with no boundary, Ravindra hammers 10 runs from two balls. Three singles throughout the set provides as much as profitable over.

twenty fourth over: New Zealand 130-1 (Ravindra 69, Williamson 37) Bavuma has recognised that spin offers him a bit extra management of issues so he introduces Markram’s offies into the assault. He’ll bowl faster and flatter than Maharaj. Much less threatening maybe however simply as tight. The Kiwis are content material with simply three singles.

twenty third over: New Zealand 127-1 (Ravindra 68, Willaimson 35) Good from Maharaj. Beats Ravindra’s outdoors edge and pushes one other previous Williamson’s poke. There’s additionally a spoon over midwicket that may have fallen to a fielder however as an alternative counts for 2. Three singles elsewhere throughout the over.

twenty second over: New Zealand 122-1 (Ravindra 67, Williamson 31) 5 singles off that Jansen over. The final ball was banged in onerous and Williamson was cramped as he swivelled it away for one. In any other case whole management from the pair who’ve now placed on 76 for the second wicket from 86 balls.

twenty first over: New Zealand 117-1 (Ravindra 65, Williamson 28) Ravindra picks up one other boundary, urgent ahead to a flighted ball from Maharaj to caress it by way of the covers. It’s 5 dot balls elsewhere however you are feeling that the Black Caps win one other over on factors. Ravindra seems to be like he may maintain batting til subsequent week.

twentieth over: New Zealand 113-1 (Ravindra 61, Williamson 28) Jansen again into the assault and returns with a great one. Simply two singles. Higher size and a tighter line – that’s the blueprint that the Kiwis will little question observe once they get the ball. The lanky lefty is bowling into the pitch, forcing the batters to govern the angles.

nineteenth over: New Zealand 111-1 (Ravindra 60, Williamson 27) Higher from Maharaj. Altering his tempo, he beats Ravindra within the flight however the batter will get away with it, getting his pads in the way in which as he comes down the observe. Two singles off that one. South Africa have to make a play right here.

18th over: New Zealand 109-1 (Ravindra 59, Williamson 26) Ravindra is “bossing issues” as Kass Naidoo says. He helps a poor ball from Mulder for 4 all the way down to tremendous leg to convey up his 50. He then clatters one other brief ball – “like a baseball participant” as Dale Steyn put it – for a one-bounce 4 to cow nook. Then, the shot of the day, he leans right into a punch previous mid-on for one more 4. Simply excellent batting.

seventeenth over: New Zealand 94-1 (Ravindra 46, Williamson 25) Time for spin as Keshav Maharaj comes into the assault. He bowled 10 overs on the trot in opposition to England in a spell of 2-35. He begins down leg and Ravindra sweeps for one. Williamson will get one as nicely by way of the covers. Another to Ravindra between three dots. Helpful begin from the spinner.

sixteenth over: New Zealand 91-1 (Ravindra 44, Williamson 24) After a drinks break Ravindra forces a front-foot pull off Mulder and will get two in the direction of cow nook. Williamson will get a fast single to level and Ravindra will get one to long-on to maintain the strike. They give the impression of being in full management with the willow.

fifteenth over: New Zealand 87-1 (Ravindra 41, Williamson 23) Class from Kane as he leans right into a leg stump half volley and clips it by way of midwicket for 4. Uncommon dross from Rabada. He over corrects with a drag down and Williamson pulls for 2 extra out within the deep. In a flash his strike fee has climbed into the 80s. Two extra off his pads. Rabada strikes his line outdoors the off stump the place Williamson steers a single all the way down to deep third. Ominous indicators for the Proteas at drinks.

14th over: New Zealand 77-1 (Ravindra 40, Williamson 14) Mulder does nicely to maintain Williamson quiet for a bit. The previous skipper will get a single however is 12 off 22. Ravindra decides to interrupt the shackles and comes down the observe and spanks a boundary over midwicket earlier than amassing a single of his personal down the bottom. A slower ball bumper is known as vast and Williamson nudge the additional ball off his pads for 2. Two singles elsewhere means it’s a comparatively costly set price 10 runs.

thirteenth over: New Zealand 67-1 (Ravindra 34, Williamson 11) A maiden from Ngidi who stored Williamson on strike, which isn’t straightforward given his means to rotate strike. Tight strains, straight fields and a few slower balls the recipe there.

twelfth over: New Zealand 67-1 (Ravindra 34, Williamson 11) Mulder, a contender for many improved bowler in worldwide cricket, begins with a tidy set, tight strains and a great size. Ravindra spoons a pair in the direction of the leg aspect earlier than the pair gather a single every.

eleventh over: New Zealand 63-1 (Ravindra 31, Williamson 10) Rabada finds a real edge off Williamson’s bat. He was attempting to dab it to deep third nevertheless it goes a lot finer, simply wanting the keeper the truth is, and runs away for 4. I nonetheless suppose a slip could be a shout. Three singles elsewhere means the Kiwis are going nice weapons thus far.

tenth over: New Zealand 56-1 (Ravindra 29, Williamson 5) Ngidi has achieved nicely to tighten up since that free stuff early on. Angling in to the correct handed Williamson, he’s providing no width whereas additionally various his tempo. Sharp fielding at backward level from Markram in addition to cover-point by Miller maintain the dot balls ticking. However Williamson gained’t be denied. The ultimate ball is an efficient one, however not adequate to cease Kane from standing tall and driving on the up for 4 by way of the hole.

ninth over: New Zealand 51-1 (Ravindra 28, Williamson 1) Rabada into the assault and as you’d anticipate from one of many greats, he finds his line and size immediately. Simply three singles of that first set, together with a wholesome edge off Ravindra’s bat that trickles all the way down to deep third. Could be price having a slip in place for KG.

eighth over: New Zealand 48-1 (Ravindra 26, Williamson 0) The Kiwis have been off the flyer, one which jogged my memory of their dashing begin within the 2015 World Cup when Baz McCullum plundered 59 off 26 balls in opposition to the Saffas in that basic semi-final. However Ngidi obtained his man and the lads in inexperienced are again within the sport.

WICKET! Younger c Markram b Ngidi 21 (New Zealand 48-1)

seventh over: New Zealand 44-0 (Younger 18, Ravindra 25) Three boundaries off the over for Ravindra and every shot was higher than the final. He began off by lashing Jansen by way of the covers. Then a nonchalant flick off his hips by way of midwicket. Then a punch vast of mid-off. Simply sensible batting.

sixth over: New Zealand 30-0 (Younger 17, Ravindra 12) Higher from Ngidi. Tighter line and fuller size. A few slower balls too, the primary two of the innings. One, a 112 km/h cutter, squirts in the direction of midwicket however finds house and Ravindra collects a single.

fifth over: New Zealand 29-0 (Younger 17, Ravindra 11) Sensible fielding at sq. leg from a diving van der Dussen saves three runs off one other crunching pull shot from Ravindra. However there’s no stopping Younger’s pull that finds the large hole behind sq. on the leg aspect. The South Africans haven’t discovered the size but. Too brief and it’s straightforward pickings on this good deck.

4th over: New Zealand 21-0 (Younger 10, Ravindra 10) Boundaries to bookend this Ngidi over. First Younger steered one other free ball by way of backward level off the entrance foot. Then Ravindra confirmed his class with a beautiful flick off the pads – all steadiness and timing – to take 4 by way of midwicket. New Zealand’s openers look in good contact.

third over: New Zealand 12-0 (Younger 5, Ravindra 6) The primary boundary comes off a mighty pull from Ravindra, who rode the bounce of Jansen to smoke it by way of sq. leg. That was a prime shot! He collected two through a misfield within the covers, although that was crunched as nicely so Miller maybe deserves some slack for taking the sting out of it.

2nd over: New Zealand 6-0 (Younger 5, Ravindra 0) Ngidi from the opposite finish. Not Rabada. The burly bowler is hitting a shortish size onerous and Younger flashes at some width, catching it with a thick outdoors edge that flies over Jansen at first slip for 4. One other shortish, wideish one invitations the minimize however Younger can’t get sufficient on it ti pierce the infield.

1st over: New Zealand 2-0 (Younger 1, Ravindra 0) Younger will get an inside edge and a single all the way down to tremendous leg off the primary ball. Jansen then lands a terrific bouncer that has Ravindra ducking. A large down the leg aspect provides one to the rating however that’s a great begin from the South African beanpole.

One in all my favorite writers, Andrew Fidel Fernando of Cricinfo fame, has this to say on X:

I hope, at this time, NZ and South Africa placed on a semi last for the ages in Lahore. I hope it’s a match town will experience. The cricket world is more and more unkind, held to ransom by the bottom impulses of South Asian geopolitics, and now a near-slavish worship of commerce.

Nuff mentioned.

Slight delay (aaaargh!!!). An issue with the sightscreen. A number of the black sheet masking the white grandstand has blown sideways.

A slip and a leg slip in place.

OK, furnishings sorted, away we go!

Anthems are achieved. A really sparse crowd in attendance. Hopefully it’ll replenish however I gained’t maintain my breath.

New Zealand’s openers are sauntering to the wicket, shadow batting and stretching as they accomplish that.

The 2-metre tall Marco Jansen will get us underway with the ball.

Deck seems to be good. Count on runs.

From a 35-year-old Saffa, to a 25-year-old Kiwi.

It’s now Rachin Ravindra’s flip to get a glowing phase on Sky.

He calls ODI cricket the “pinnacle”. Too proper. I’m a giant fan.

The lad’s a gun! He’s obtained 4 tons and 4 50s from 31 video games on this format. Getting him early might be key for the South Africans.

Our first correspondence is from a Kiwi, Alistair Connor:

Hello Daniel

As a Kiwi I breathed a sigh of reduction yesterday when India eradicated Australia, as a result of … there’s a profound cultural drawback there. Hope it goes away someday, and I will stay up for an Aus/NZ last.

I’ve no such worry of South Africa, not out of disrespect for a really gifted staff. However they’ve their very own demons.

David Miller is getting a giant phase on Sky’s protection.

One of many biggest South African cricketers. Ever. I’ll die on that hill.

When it comes to cricket tragedies, Miller by no means taking part in a Check match is true up there.

Groups

New Zealand win the toss and bat first

Some massive information this morning!

One of many greats, Steve Smith as retired from ODI cricket.

He’s doing this to lengthen his Check profession.

He’s calling time at 170 ODI matches the place he plundered 5,800 runs at a median of 43.28.

Preamble