South Africa crashed out of the T20 World Cup in stunning fashion after the Netherlands toppled them in Adelaide on Sunday (November 6). South Africa, one of the favourites for the title, were primed to reach the semifinals with a routine win in their final Super 12 fixture. However, the Netherlands put up a brave fight with both bat and ball to cause a massive upset that has not only ensured India’s entry into the final four but also set up a virtual quarterfinal clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The dreaded C-word again?
Absolutely! They should have never allowed Netherlands to post 158 in the first place but even then, it’s a target they should have chased down. The conditions weren’t really conducive for batting but there were shorter boundaries on offer. Quinton de Kock looked set to thrash the Dutch bowling attack but ended up edging one behind. Temba Bavuma wanted to take full toll of the final over of the powerplay but was bowled by Paul van Meekeren. Even though the powerplay didn’t go according to the plan, the middle order of Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen would have still fancied themselves to get the job done.
Was there a recovery?
Definitely was. By the halfway stage, South Africa had also lost Rossouw who perished while attempting to target the shorter boundary. At 68/3, they were cautiously placed but three boundaries came off the next 17 balls to inject momentum into the innings. South Africa raced to 90/3 and for a moment, it did appear like normal service had resumed. However, there was a twist in the tale again as Markram got a leading edge to get caught at short cover. Even then, it was still South Africa’s game as they needed 48 runs from 30 balls with Miller and Klaasen out in the middle.
How did they lose it then?
The double strike from Brandon Glover in the 16th over did them completely. He first had Miller with a short delivery that was miscued by the batsman which was then pouched in brilliant fashion by the veteran Roelof van der Merwe and then Wayne Parnell edged one to the ‘keeper in the same over to derail South Africa. From thereon, there was no recovery. Keshav Maharaj was limping and trying to keep his side alive in the chase but losing Klaasen only made things worse. 26 were needed off the last six deliveries and there was a free-hit as well offered for the South Africans to take advantage. It never happened ultimately as the Netherlands triumphed by 13 runs to spark wild celebrations not only in their dugout, but in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well.
But how did the Dutch post 158 in the first place?
That was something out of the blue. Going by the form on paper, South Africa should have shredded this batting lineup apart. Except for Max O’Dowd, the rest haven’t been consistent at all. But things took a different turn as Kasigo Rabada, Wayne Parnell and Lungi Ngidi were all taken apart. Stephan Myburg gave Netherlands a very good start in the powerplay and even though South Africa fought back via Anrich Nortje and Maharaj in the middle overs, Netherlands found the finish they wanted. Tom Cooper came to the party with a rapid 35 and Colin Ackermann gave them a superb finish. Ackermann smashed an unbeaten 41 that included two incredible flicks that went over the ropes to guide Netherlands past the 150-mark. He was duly named player of the match for also delivering three quiet overs with the ball.
What next?
South Africa have been left to reflect on another shocking exit from a World Cup. After all those disappointments over the years, surely this time things were expected to be different. But that washout against Zimbabwe has come back to haunt them. They will also have themselves to blame for that poor showing with the ball against Pakistan. Despite all that, things were still under their control and all they had to do was brush Netherlands aside to seal their passage. But this shocker of a result has now confirmed India’s place in the semifinal.
Brief scores:
Netherlands
158/4 in 20 overs (Colin Ackermann 41n.o., Stephan Myburg 37; Keshav Maharaj 2/27)
South Africa
145/8 in 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 25; Brandon Glover 3/9, Fred Klaassen 2/20)