South Africa Top Standings After Huge Win Over Kiwis

Proteas back at the top after a 190-run victory over Black Caps; bowlers cut New Zealand batters to size after de Kock, van der Dussen tons

- Somshuvra Laha

The hundreds came pretty much along predictable lines.

Between Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and Adien Markram, it has been a steady stream of runs, clobbered and grafted in equal measure. In a World Cup where entire batting squads of England and Bangladesh have gone off the boil, this is a South Africa campaign to remember.

There has been no off switch, and the battering has been relentless. Take out the defeat to Netherlands and South Africa’s scores in this World Cup are 428/5, 311/7, 399/7, 382/5, 271/9 and 357/4.

But that’s still not the point of Wednesday’s 190-run demolition of New Zealand. Very interesting how South Africa’s bowling has been peaking as well, triggering an implosion in a batting line-up that had almost chased down 388 in more difficult batting conditions against Australia in Dharamsala.

Pune was a much better batting strip, and even though New Zealand showed bravado in giving their chasing ability another chance, they actually put South Africa — they love to set targets — in an advantageous position.

The first powerplay produced just 43 runs, almost vindicating New Zealand’s decision at the toss. Another 195 runs in the next powerplay and New Zealand could still probably think they were in the game.