Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson Lead New Zealand to Semifinal Victory

Published on Thu, Mar 6, 2025, 08:24 AM

New Zealand secured a 50-run win over South Africa in the semifinal, with centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson.

Ravindra’s Stunning Performance

Rachin Ravindra has a special connection with ICC tournaments. He scored his fifth ODI ton on March 5, all in ICC events. This made him the first New Zealander to achieve such a record. Ravindra’s ton was key in New Zealand’s victory.

Partnership with Williamson

Ravindra’s partnership with Kane Williamson was critical. The pair put on 164 runs, laying the foundation for a big total. “We were aiming for 300, but Kane accelerated, and then we reached 360,” Ravindra said.

Williamson’s Contribution

Kane Williamson also played a crucial role, scoring a century. His acceleration in the middle overs boosted the total. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell also added valuable runs in the final stages.

New Zealand’s Strong Bowling

New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Santner, were exceptional. Santner took 3 wickets for 43 runs, including key dismissals. The bowlers tightened the pressure on South Africa throughout their chase.

Bavuma Reflects on the Loss

South African captain Temba Bavuma acknowledged that chasing 362 was difficult. Despite a solid 50 from him and Rassie van der Dussen, they couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. Bavuma said, “We had a good start, but we couldn’t capitalize.”

Looking Ahead

New Zealand’s dominant performance secured their place in the final of the Champions Trophy. With strong batting and bowling, they set themselves up for an exciting finale.

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