USA vs South Africa, Super 8 Group 2, T20 World Cup, 2024

 

In inaugural Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024, held at North Sound on June 18, South Africa narrowly overcame a late challenge to defeat the United States by 18 runs. Quinton de Kock, the star wicketkeeper-batter, broke out of his slump with a stellar 74 runs from 40 deliveries. Captain Aiden Markram contributed a brisk 46, helping their team to set a formidable target of 194 runs.

This victory marked South Africa’s fifth consecutive win in the tournament, bolstering their chances for their first World Cup title. The United States team also showcased their skills with the bat and the ball, despite it being their debut in a Super 8 match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Toss:
The United States won the toss and opted to field first.

Team Lineup:

South Africa Playing XI:

Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

United States Of America Playing XI:

Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Andries Gous (wk), Aaron Jones (c), Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.

Key Moments:

Player of the Match award went to Quinton de Kock for His Fearless Bating . Kagiso Rabada’s contribution was pivotal in South Africa’s defense. With impressive figures of 3 for 18, Rabada was a key player from the start, using the new ball to bowl at speeds of around 145 km/h, quickly finding the ideal length for the pitch. Notably, his delivery in the crucial 19th over halted a dangerous 91-run partnership and allowed only two runs, effectively clinching the win for South Africa.

South Africa

Powerplay: De Kock Takes Charge

Phase score: 64/1 (4x4s, 5x6s)

In a World Cup match where the pitch proved challenging, both teams opted for an additional spinner. Despite these conditions, South Africa, batting first, saw Quinton de Kock capitalize brilliantly on the ball’s responsiveness early on. He swiftly accumulated 41 runs off just 18 deliveries by the close of the sixth over, propelling South Africa to their third highest Power Play total in T20 World Cups. Much of this explosive scoring was during a costly over from Jessy Singh, which yielded 28 runs, marking it the third highest in this tournament. De Kock’s formidable performance included smacking three sixes. Meanwhile, Saurabh Netravalkar bowled economically, conceding only 7 runs and securing the wicket of Reeze Hendricks.

Middle Overs: A Competitive Exchange

Phase score: 77/3 (7x4s, 2x6s)

The match tension heightened as de Kock, alongside Aiden Markram, solidified a promising partnership. De Kock reached a swift half-century, his first of the tournament, and continued to dominate by scoring 74 off 40 balls, his personal best in a T20 World Cup. However, Harmeet Singh interrupted this stand by catching him out from a full toss. David Miller was dismissed next ball, caught and bowled. This double strike during the middle overs facilitated a partial recovery for the USA. South Africa suffered another blow when Markram fell for 46 runs to Netravalkar.

Death Overs: Klaasen and Stubbs Propel the Score

Phase score: 53/0 (2x4s, 3x6s)

South Africa maintained their wicket intact during this final stretch, although scoring was restrained. Netravalkar’s tight 19th over included four dot balls, limiting South Africa to just six runs. However, Heinrich Klaasen managed to contribute three sixes, boosting the team’s final push by 15 runs in the last over, concluding with a substantial total of 194. Aiden Markram, in a post-innings commentary, expressed satisfaction with this result, given the initial circumstances.

United States Of America

Power Play: USA Gives a Strong Response

Phase score: 53/2 (5x4s, 3x6s)

USA’s openers were quick off the mark. Marco Jansen’s first delivery was swiftly dispatched for four by Steven Taylor, signaling a robust start. The aggressive approach yielded consistent boundaries, despite Kagiso Rabada’s disrupting length which eventually claimed Taylor’s wicket at mid-off. Nitish Kumar continued in a similar aggressive fashion, helping the team reach fifty by the fifth over. Rabada, however, regained control by taking Kumar’s wicket in the last Power Play over.

Middle Overs: Momentum Shifts with Frequent Wickets

Phase score: 69/3 (3x4s, 4x6s)

Following Kumar’s dismissal, the scoring slowed significantly, with only 12 runs from overs seven to nine as Keshav Maharaj bowled tightly. Corey Anderson hit a powerful six but was bowled by Anrich Nortje immediately after. Andries Gous stabilized the innings but lost partners steadily. His half-century, achieved in a crucial partnership with Harmeey Singh, kept USA’s hopes alive.

Death Overs: Nearly Achieving the Target

Phase score: 54/1 (3x4s, 4x6s)

USA required 73 runs from the final five overs, which seemed within reach on the improving pitch. Shamsi was particularly expensive, conceding 35 runs in his two overs. However, an exceptional penultimate over from Rabada, costing only 2 runs and breaking a significant partnership, decisively tilted the match in South Africa’s favor. Gous’s unbeaten 80 off 47 balls was commendable but insufficient to secure a win.

Brief Scores:

SA 194/4 (de Kock 74; Netravalkar 2-21) defeated USA 176/6 (Gous 80*; Rabada 3-18) by 18 runs.