New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has gone on to pick up three quick wickets during the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 against South Africa.
He went on to dismiss dangerous batters Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen in Proteas 363 run chase at Lahore.
Mitchell Santner broke the 105-run partnership between Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen by dismissing the former for 56 runs. He went on to dismiss Dussen for 69 runs in the 27th over before dismissing dangerous Klaasen in his very next over.
South Africa lost four wickets for 167 runs which helped Kiwis to gain upper hand in the clash. In the pursuit of chasing 365 target, South Africa lost the wicket of Ryan Rickelton for 17 runs in the powerplay.
Temba Bavuma and Rassie Van der Dussen joined the partnership and scored 56 in the powerplay and went on to stitch a 101 partnership.
However Santner provided a crucial breakthrough dismissing Bavuma in the 23rd over which made Proteas to lose some quality wickets.
Mitch Santner breaks the Bavuma/van der Dussen partnership! Bavuma attempts a flighted delivery over cover but it’s mistimed and Kane Williamson takes the catch at backward point. South Africa 128/2 require 235 from 27 overs. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/jkQGB3IJ2G 📲 #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/5chuyw5jbb
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 5, 2025
South Africa and New Zealand have only met two times in the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2015 ODI World Cup where New Zealand secured the win on both occasions.
South Africa and New Zealand both have played 73 ODIs so far with South Africa leading the race with 42 wins while Kiwi managed to emerge victorious on 26 occasions.
Both teams have won this trophy, South Africa in 1998 and New Zealand in 2000, when it was still called the ICC Knockout. Notably, South Africa are the only country who have been represented in the knockout stages of the last seven ICC tournaments, regardless of age group or gender.
Earlier Mitchell Santner’s side batted first and posted 362/6 in their innings. Losing Will Young for 21 runs, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson forged a phenomenal 154 run partnership for the second wicket.
Both went on to smash centuries to push their total. Later Daryl Mitchell’s 49 runs and Glenn Phillip’s 49 runs in the middle order has put New Zealand on driver seat in their innings.
Lungi Ngidi scalped three wickets for the side while Rabada dismissed two and Wiaan Mulder has one dismissal.
