* Experienced batter David Miller guides Proteas safely home ( Match 16)
By Dwayne Ferreira
In a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup on June 8, 2024, South Africa narrowly escaped a third consecutive defeat to the Netherlands in ICC tournaments, securing a nail-biting victory by four wickets. The match, held in New York, saw the Netherlands put up a modest total of 103 for 9, thanks to a disciplined performance by the South African fast bowlers.
Chasing a seemingly straightforward target, South Africa found themselves in deep trouble at 12 for 4, reminiscent of their past collapses against the Netherlands. However, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs stepped up to the challenge, forming a crucial 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Miller’s calm and composed 59* off 51 balls, supported by Stubbs’ 33 off 37 balls, guided South Africa out of peril and towards victory.
The game took a tense turn as two late wickets gave the Netherlands a glimmer of hope. Yet, Miller’s experience and composure in the final overs ensured South Africa crossed the finish line. His strategic hitting, particularly in the penultimate over, where he smashed crucial boundaries, sealed the win for South Africa. The victory, achieved with just seven balls to spare, marked South Africa’s second consecutive win in the tournament and a significant morale booster.
This low-scoring thriller highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket, with the pitch offering assistance to the fast bowlers, leading to 13 out of 15 dismissals being taken by pacers. The match was a testament to the resilience and determination of the South African side, who managed to hold their nerve under pressure and avoid an upset that would have mirrored their previous losses to the Netherlands.
Chief Scores :-
Netherlands – 103 for 9 in 20 overs (Sybrand Engelbrecht 40, Logan van Beek 23, Vikramjit Singh 12, Ottniel Bartman 4 for 11, Anrich Nortje 2 for 19)
South Africa – 106 for 6 in 18.5 overs (David Miller 59*, Tristan Stubbs 33, Heinrich Klassen 4, Vivian Kingma 2 for 12, Logan van Beek 2 for 21)
Player of the Match – David Miller
