Both smashed centuries to propel New Zealand to a record Champions Trophy total before Santner masterfully led a flawless defense.
New Zealand March into the Final with Dominant Display
New Zealand stormed into their seventh ICC final and fourth in the ODI format, defeating South Africa by 50 runs in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore. Rachin Ravindra (100) and Kane Williamson (109) starred with the bat, while Daryl Mitchell (49) and Glenn Phillips (49) provided late fireworks to push New Zealand to 326/6. Skipper Mitchell Santner (3/43) then led a clinical bowling effort, dismissing Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen, ensuring a controlled defense of the total.
South Africa Falter as Semi-Final Woes Continue
Chasing a record total, South Africa struggled, losing wickets at crucial moments. David Miller (100 off 67) fought alone, reaching his century on the last ball, but with no support, the match was long over before the 47th over. This defeat marks South Africa’s ninth loss in 11 ICC ODI semi-finals, extending their knockout heartbreak since their 1998 Champions Trophy win. While Lungi Ngidi (2/63) impressed, the rest of the bowling unit failed to apply pressure, with Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj going wicketless. Costly dropped catches and inconsistent bowling sealed their fate, while New Zealand head into Sunday’s final against India in Dubai, full of confidence.
Ravindra & Williamson Dominate with Record Stand
South Africa had no answer to the brilliance of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, who combined aggression with composure. Their 164-run partnership for the second wicket was New Zealand’s highest in Champions Trophy history, providing the foundation for a big total. Ravindra maintained a strike rate above 100, keeping pressure on the bowlers, while Williamson took a measured approach, reaching his half-century in 61 balls before accelerating to his century in just 30 more deliveries.
Santner’s Decision Pays Off
Winning the toss, Mitchell Santner chose to bat first, predicting that the breeze would counter evening dew and that scoreboard pressure would work in New Zealand’s favor. His call proved spot on. New Zealand had a nervy start as Will Young edged Ngidi over Jansen at slip, but they quickly found their rhythm. Ravindra took charge, dominating Jansen’s short-pitched deliveries, smashing boundaries through cover, midwicket, and extra cover.
Ngidi & Rabada Threaten a Comeback
Ngidi halted New Zealand’s momentum briefly, dismissing Young with a sharp delivery caught at mid-off. However, New Zealand ended the powerplay strongly at 56/1. Williamson began cautiously, scoring 11 off 14 balls, before Rabada delivered a maiden over, testing him with variations in pace. Meanwhile, Ravindra reached his half-century off 47 balls, taking on Wiaan Mulder for three boundaries in the 18th over. South Africa introduced Keshav Maharaj, who initially kept things tight, but Ravindra soon took him apart, smashing a six down the ground and forcing his removal from the attack.
New Zealand Surge Past 200
Ngidi nearly shifted the momentum in the 26th over, drawing an edge from Williamson on 56, but Klaasen couldn’t hold on. Ngidi also troubled Ravindra at 97, prompting an unsuccessful caught-behind review. However, Ravindra reached his century off Rabada in the next over (93 balls), while New Zealand crossed 200 in the 32nd over. Williamson shifted gears, attacking Rabada for 17 runs in the over, setting the stage for a powerful finish.
New Zealand Set the Stage with Ravindra & Williamson
Kane Williamson was on 80 off 77 balls when Rachin Ravindra edged behind off Kagiso Rabada, ending a crucial innings. Williamson took 14 more deliveries to reach his century with a ramp shot off Wiaan Mulder. However, he fell later in the same over at short fine leg. Despite this, New Zealand stood strong at 252/3 after 40 overs, setting up a big finish.
Mitchell & Phillips Unleash the Fireworks
Marco Jansen and Rabada tightened the screws, conceding only 27 runs in four overs and dismissing Tom Latham. But then, Daryl Mitchell smashed Lungi Ngidi for a six and two fours, while Glenn Phillips tore into Jansen, hammering four consecutive boundaries. New Zealand exploded for 83 runs in the last six overs, pushing their total past 360, leaving South Africa with a massive chase.
South Africa Starts Cautiously Under Pressure
Chasing a record ICC semi-final target, South Africa struggled early. Ryan Rickelton (17 off 11) fell quickly, while Temba Bavuma crawled to 3 off 17 balls before finding some rhythm. He hit a lofted shot over mid-off against Matt Henry in the ninth over and followed it with a hooked six off Kyle Jamieson. By the end of the powerplay, South Africa had matched New Zealand at 56/1.
Santner Spins South Africa into Trouble
Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen built a strong 105-run stand, targeting spinners. However, Mitchell Santner broke the game open, forcing Bavuma into a mistimed shot to Williamson at backward point. Although South Africa were 143/1 at the halfway mark, Santner soon bowled van der Dussen with a quicker delivery. Heinrich Klaasen followed, miscuing a shot to Matt Henry at long-on, who took a diving catch but injured his shoulder. Aiden Markram fell soon after, chipping an easy return catch to Ravindra, leaving South Africa in deep trouble.
Miller Fights Alone, but New Zealand March to the Final
With 170 runs needed from 15 overs and five wickets remaining, South Africa’s chances were less than 0.5%, according to ESPNcricinfo’s predictor. David Miller battled on, bringing up his century off the final ball (100 off 67), celebrating with a cradle gesture for his one-month-old son Benji. However, just like his 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final ton, it felt hollow as South Africa crashed out in another ICC knockout match. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s dream stays alive as they head to the Champions Trophy final against India, aiming for their first ICC ODI title since 2000.
Grand Finale Awaits: New Zealand vs India 🏆
With this dominant win, New Zealand have sent a strong message ahead of the final clash against India in Dubai. Can they break their two-decade-long ICC ODI title drought? Or will India reclaim ICC glory?
The biggest showdown of the tournament is set!
📅 Final: New Zealand 🆚 India | Sunday | Dubai
#ChampionsTrophyFinal #NZvsIND #Ravindra #Williamson #SantnerMagic #Cricket
