Miller helps South Africa avoid shock against Dutch
- Read how Miller’s performance rescues South Africa from a potential upset against the Dutch cricket team. Get the full match details here.
T20 World Cup, Group D (New York)
Netherlands 103-9 (20 overs): Engelbrecht 40; Baartman 4-11
South Africa 106-6 (18.5 overs): Miller 59*; Kingma 2-18
South Africa won by four wickets
Scorecard; Table
With a nerve-wracking four-wicket win over the Netherlands in New York, South Africa avoided a hat-trick of World Cup disasters thanks to an unbeaten half-century from David Miller.
After being selected to bat first, the Dutch managed to rebound from 48-6 with a modest score of 103-9 thanks to a disciplined 40 off 45 balls from Sybrand Engelbrecht.
Ottniel Baartman bowled magnificently for the Proteas, finishing with a 4-11 total, but when the Netherlands reduced South Africa to 3-3 and then 12-4, it appeared that a shock was in store.
Miller and 33-year-old Tristan Stubbs steadied the ship for South Africa until the Netherlands attack mounted a comeback to grab two fast wickets late in the innings.
With one over remaining because to some precise ball striking, Miller gave South Africa the 15 they needed off the last 12 balls.
He finished on 59 not out off 51 balls, and he secured the victory with a massive heave off Bas de Leede over square leg.
In recent tournaments, South Africa’s worst enemy has been the Netherlands.
South Africa’s dreams of making the semi-finals of the last T20 World Cup at the Adelaide Oval were dashed by a Dutch victory over the Proteas.
Then, in the 50-over version of the competition played in Dharamsala last year, the Oranje pulled off a stunning upset by ending South Africa’s winning streak.
There is a small but vibrant cricket community of about 6,000 active players in the Associate Nation, and South Africa would have been desperate to escape the disgrace of losing to them.
The Proteas bowlers embraced their work with a particular passion, hitting the appropriate lengths and making superb use of the short ball.
Marco Jansen (2-20) and Anrich Nortje (2-19) provided support for the outstanding Baartman.
But Engelbrecht, a former South African under-19 player who relocated to the Netherlands to work in real estate, blunted them as he saved his team from a laughable situation.
With the help of Logan van Beek’s helpful 23, he managed to eke out the Dutch to some form of total despite only hitting two fours and one six.
The finest mood at this Eisenhower Park event to date was generated by a weekend gathering of individuals from all over the world, with an estimated 800 languages spoken in New York.
Following Quinton de Kock’s run out for a duck without facing, a string of wickets saw the 14,167 spectators—mostly those who were rooting for the Dutch—hurry back into the stands.
Van Beek’s beauty bowled Reeza Hendricks, while Vivian Kingma (2–12) strangled Aiden Markram down the leg side before ensnaring Heinrich Klaasen.
Though there appeared to be fear in the South African dressing room, youth and experience together filled in the gaps in what appeared to be a sinking ship.
Despite his struggles in South Africa’s opening match on this ground, Stubbs performed calmly and fluidly with Miller’s sage advice.
The Dutch were kept in the game by Paul van Meekeren’s economical four overs, which cost just 13 runs, until De Leede and Van Beek removed Stubbs and Jansen.
In the penultimate over, Miller backed himself to defeat De Leede after he had blatantly refused a single off the final ball of the 17th over. That’s exactly what he did.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram stated, “They’ve proven many times they can beat the best teams in the world. It is big for us.” There’s no mental impediment or anything, and teams, especially the Netherlands, can be quite hard once they get going.
It demonstrates how we’re improving as a team and handling these situations more skillfully.
It’s significant to us. Even though the victories aren’t always elegant and convincing, as evidenced by 12–4, very few people are giving us a chance to win further, which is really important for the group, atmosphere, and self-assurance.”
Scott Edwards, captain of the Netherlands: “Very obviously, very close. All it takes to change a game with 110 on the board is an over.
“We take great pride in our ability to play competitive cricket, but today just wasn’t meant to be.”
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