ENG vs SA Review: South Africa pile on England’s World Cup misery
In the highly anticipated match of the 2023 ODI World Cup, England and South Africa faced off at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Known for its batter-friendly conditions, the Wankhede Stadium witnessed South Africa’s batting prowess on full display. They had a shaky start with the early departure of Quinton de Kock, and England bowlers, Reece Topley and David Willey, initially had a firm grip on the game.
However, Topley’s unfortunate finger injury and the disappearance of swing allowed South Africa to make a comeback. Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen took advantage of the true pitch and shorter boundaries, effortlessly accumulating runs. Adil Rashid, England’s leg-spinner, temporarily halted South Africa’s charge by dismissing both well-set batters in quick succession.
Stand-in captain Aiden Markram and Klaasen then took charge, guiding the innings back on track with their middle-order expertise. The Proteas, known for their dominance in the middle overs, showcased their boundary-hitting skills.
Despite a few setbacks, the partnership between Klaasen and Jansen towards the end gained momentum. The final ten overs were a revelation, as South Africa scored 143 runs, showcasing their relentless assault on England’s bowlers. The death overs saw England’s bowlers struggle with wayward deliveries. It resulted in a flurry of boundaries and sixes as South Africa posted an imposing 399/8 on the scoreboard.
In pursuit of 400, England appeared out of sorts right from the start. South Africa’s fiery bowling attack wreaked havoc, dismantling the English batting lineup. Batters struggled to find their footing as wickets fell at regular intervals. Led by Gerald Coetzee with three wickets, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen, the Proteas bowlers ran through the English lineup. The bowlers limited them to a mere 170 runs and the margin of victory, a resounding 230 runs. It showcased South Africa’s dominance in the match.
Top Performers of the Match
Heinrich Klaasen (109 of 67)
Klaasen, a player who has significantly improved in white-ball cricket in recent times, has received praise from numerous former greats for his outstanding batting skills. In today’s match, he proved exactly why the cricketing world holds him in such high regard as he completely dismantled the English bowling lineup to score his second ODI World Cup century. His incredible knock of 109 included an impressive 12 fours and four sixes.
Gerald Coetzee (3/35, 4overs)
Gerald Coetzee showcased exceptional skills in pace bowling, proving to be a formidable challenge for the English batters with his impressive speed and bounce. His remarkable ability to consistently bowl hard-length balls at a great pace makes him a genuine threat to any opposing team. In today’s match, he demonstrated this prowess by taking three crucial wickets, establishing himself as the standout bowler of the game.
What next?
Going ahead, South Africa will play against Bangladesh on October 24. While England will take on Sri Lanka on October 26.
