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| South Africa win by 18 runs to secure two important points in the Super Eight. // IMAGE - ICC |
South Africa kicked off their Super 8 stage campaign in the T20 World Cup with a hard-fought 18-run victory over a resilient USA team.
Sent in to bat, the Proteas posted a formidable total of 194 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs. Quinton de Kock was the star with the bat, smashing 74 off just 40 balls, his highest score in the tournament so far. Aiden Markram, the South African skipper, chipped in with a crucial 46 off 32, while Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs provided vital cameos to propel the total 194/4.
USA's bowlers had moments of brilliance, with Saurabh Netravalkar leading the charge with figures of 2/21 from his four overs. Harmeet Singh also impressed, picking up two wickets with his left-arm spin.
Chasing 195, USA stumbled early, losing three quick wickets, including the in-form stand-in captain Aaron Jones for a 5-ball duck. However, wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous staged a valiant fightback, scoring an unbeaten 80 off 47 balls. Harmeet Singh supported Gous well, and their partnership kept USA in the hunt. However, Kagiso Rabada's brilliant spell (3/18) proved decisive, particularly his penultimate over where he conceded just two runs and dismissed Singh, sealing the victory for South Africa.
Wickets falling but #AndriesGous stands tall for the USA! 💪🏻
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 19, 2024
Will Gous, alongside #HarmeetSingh, bring their team back into the game?
𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝟖 👉 #USAvSA | LIVE NOW | #T20WorldCupOnStar (only available in India) pic.twitter.com/wPfVtS0GKW
Despite the loss, USA's spirited performance against a quality South African attack earned them plaudits as they fell short by just 18 runs.