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PICS: India in semis after Netherlands shock South Africa

November 06, 2022

Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12 match between the Netherlands and South Africa, in Adelaide, on Sunday.

IMAGE: The Netherlands players celebrate victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup Super 12 match, at the Adelaide Oval, on Sunday. Photograph: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

The Netherlands pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the T20 World Cup, sending South Africa tumbling out of semi-final contention after an impressive 13-run victory over the Proteas in Adelaide on Sunday.

The Dutch victory ensured India a place in the semi-finals ahead of their concluding match against Zimbabwe. With six points from four games, India are perched atop Group 2 in the Super 12 stage. South Africa finished their engagements with five points from as many games.

 

In Sunday's second fixture, also at Adelaide, Pakistan got the better of Bangladesh by five wickets and joined India in the semi-finals.

Going into the match both were on four points from four games. Pakistan finished with six points, the Netherlands and Bangladesh with four. 

IMAGE: The Netherlands seamer Brandon Glover, who had figures of 3 for 9 from two overs, celebrates dismissing Wayne Parnell for a duck. Photograph: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

There were heroes all round for the Netherlands, as they successfully defended a decent total of 158 for 4 by restricting the Proteas to just 145 for 8 in reply.

Inexperienced seamer Brandon Glover (3 for 9) was superb with the ball, while 37-year-old veteran Roelof van der Merwe pulled in a contender for catch of the tournament to dismiss the dangerous David Miller.

Bas de Leede (2 for 25) also bowled well. The all-rounder was entrusted to bowl the final over. South Africa were unable to score the 26 required from the last six deliveries to clinch victory.

If South Africa thought they would cruise through this semi-final match and waltz into the semi-finals they were badly mistaken as the Netherlands took it right up to their more fancied opponent throughout.

IMAGE: Colin Ackermann scored an unbeaten 41 off 26 balls to give the Netherlands a fighting total. Photograph: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Earlier, a late flourish by Colin Ackermann and Tom Cooper helped the Netherlands post a fighting 158 for 4.

Ackermann top-scored for the Dutch with an explosive unbeaten 41 off 26 balls while the experienced Tom Cooper also made a vital contribution of 35 runs off 19 balls.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2 for 27) and Anrich Nortje (1 for 10) produced good spells to restrict the Dutch.

Put in to bat, the Netherlands were off to a brilliant start, scoring 17 runs in the first two overs, Stephan Myburgh being the more aggressive of their openers as Max ODowd looked to find the gaps and play second fiddle.

They hit eight elegant boundaries in the first six overs between themselves, taking the total to 48 runs without loss at the end of the powerplay. It was the Netherlands's best powerplay score in the tournament.

IMAGE: South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje celebrates with teammates after dismissing Bas de Leede. Photograph: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Just when the Netherlands looked on course for a good score, Aiden Markram dismissed Myburgh in the ninth over to give South Africa the breakthrough.

Right-hander Cooper then attacked the bowlers from the word go and smacked a six early in his innings. The aggression rubbed off on ODowd and, seeing his partner go after the bowlers, also slammed a six.

The Dutch were 70 for 1 at the end of 10 overs.

IMAGE: Opener Stephan Myburgh gave the Netherlands a good start, scoring 37 off 30 ball, including 7 fours. Photograph: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Left-arm finger spinner Maharaj was hit for a six in the 13th over but scalped the wicket of ODowd, which brought Ackermann to the crease. The bowler also dismissed Cooper in the 15th over, which saw the Dutch have two new batters at the crease for the last five overs.

Nortje then sent back Bas de Leede in the 18th over, ending the batter’s scratchy innings wherein he scored just one run off seven balls.

Thanks to Ackermann's late blitz, the Netherlands scored 31 runs off the last two overs as they finished with a fighting total.

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