ICC CWC 2023: South Africa thump New Zealand to hand them 3rd defeat in a row

In a scintillating showdown during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 league stage, South Africa displayed their supremacy by outclassing New Zealand with a resounding 190-run victory in Pune. The match witnessed an incredible batting spectacle, and it was the Proteas who seized control right from the very beginning.

After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to put South Africa into bat on a pitch that promised runs, but it was a decision that would come back to haunt them. The South African openers, led by the swashbuckling Quinton de Kock, dazzled the audience as they embarked on a run-fest. De Kock, in a spectacular fashion, achieved his fourth century of the tournament, further solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s premier opening batsmen.

𝙀𝙥 4: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬

A 4️⃣th century for Quinton de Kock in this #CWC23 🇿🇦💯

We are running out of superlatives 😲#NZvSA #CWC23 #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/aMKiya8FAr

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 1, 2023

However, the onslaught did not stop with de Kock. Rassie Van Der Dussen, holding the number 3 spot, showcased his exceptional batting prowess by smashing a remarkable 133 runs. His performance was complemented by a blazing knock from David Miller, who amassed 53 runs off just 30 deliveries. Together, they powered South Africa to a daunting total of 357 runs, leaving New Zealand with an uphill task ahead.

The Kiwis, in their pursuit of the mammoth target, faced early setbacks as they struggled to gain momentum. Devon Conway’s early departure for a mere 2 runs set the tone for a challenging chase. Will Young provided some resistance with 33 runs, but the wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Rachin Ravindra contributed just 9 runs, Daryl Mitchell scored 24, and Tom Latham managed only 4.

South Africa didn't put a foot wrong in their first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup win over New Zealand since 1999.

Details 👇https://t.co/fGb5IOGB8c

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 1, 2023

Glenn Phillips emerged as New Zealand’s lone beacon of hope, as he fought valiantly and amassed 60 runs. However, his effort proved insufficient in the face of South Africa’s formidable total.

The Proteas’ bowlers were equally impressive, with Keshav Maharaj taking the lead by capturing four wickets. Marco Jansen made a significant impact with three crucial wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetze contributed with one and two wickets, respectively.

The resounding 190-run victory for South Africa firmly established their dominance in the tournament and served as a reminder of their formidable capabilities. With this remarkable triumph, South Africa’s campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 gained new momentum, while New Zealand found themselves facing the daunting task of regrouping for their upcoming matches.