* USA fall short by 18 runs – Super 8 (Match 41)
Dwayne Ferreira
In another thrilling match at the T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa narrowly defeated the USA by 18 runs in their first Super Eight encounter. Despite a valiant effort from USA, led by an unbeaten 80 from Andries Gous, South Africa managed to secure victory.
On a pitch favoring the batters, Quinton de Kock’s first half-century of the tournament provided a strong start for South Africa. They were well set at 126 for 1 in the 13th over, but USA’s bowlers, Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh, brought them back into the game, taking three crucial wickets for just 15 runs. Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs then combined for a fifth-wicket partnership of 53, helping South Africa post a competitive total of 194 for 4.
USA began brightly with Steven Taylor, but Kagiso Rabada’s early strikes balanced the contest. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi tightened the screws in the middle overs, but it was Gous who kept USA’s hopes alive. His 91-run stand with Harmeet, the second-highest for the sixth wicket or lower in T20 World Cup history, brought USA close to an upset. However, Rabada and Anrich Nortje held their nerve in the final overs to secure South Africa’s win.
After a string of low scores, de Kock finally delivered, scoring 74 runs. He exploded in the fourth over, hitting Jasdeep Singh for three consecutive sixes. De Kock reached his fifty with a six off Corey Anderson, setting the tone for South Africa’s innings.
USA’s fielding efforts kept them in the game. Corey Anderson’s early catch and Shayan Jahangir’s boundary-line catch to dismiss de Kock were highlights. Ali Khan’s stunning grab to dismiss Aiden Markram denied South Africa a chance to push their total beyond 200. Despite these efforts, USA’s bowlers struggled, with Netravalkar and Harmeet being the only standouts. The rest of the attack conceded 148 runs from 12 overs, including 10 sixes.
Kagiso Rabada, who had been quiet in the group stages, delivered when it mattered. He took 3 for 18, starting with the dismissal of Taylor in the fourth over. His next over saw Nitish Kumar caught at deep square leg, putting South Africa in a strong position. Rabada returned to break the crucial Gous-Harmeet partnership, securing the win for South Africa.
Andries Gous, originally from South Africa, nearly orchestrated a remarkable win for the USA. He played a composed innings, hitting his first boundary off Rabada and later smashing Marco Jansen and Nortje for sixes. Gous brought up his half-century in style and kept USA in the hunt with two sixes off Shamsi in the 18th over. Despite his best efforts, Gous’s unbeaten 80 wasn’t enough to see USA over the line.
Chief Scores
South Africa 194 for 4 in 20 overs (Quinton De Kock 74, Aiden Markram 46, Heinrich Klaarsen 36 not out, Saurabh Netravalkar 2 for 21, Harmeet Singh 2 for 24)
USA 176 for 6 in 20 overs ( Andries Gous 80 not out, Harmeet Singh 38, Kagiso Rabada 3 for 18)
Player of the Match – Quinton De Kock
