Markram And Jansen Steer South Africa Past New Zealand And Towards Super 8s

South Africa strengthened their position in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over New Zealand, a result that left captain Aiden Markram satisfied that his side are moving closer to their desired standard.

Coming into the clash in India and Sri Lanka with wins over Canada and Afghanistan, Markram had been open about his disappointment with aspects of South Africa’s previous performances. Against New Zealand, he asked for a more complete effort across departments. He received it.

New Zealand chose to bat and reached 175 for seven, a competitive total built largely around a 74-run stand between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell. South Africa then replied with 176 for three in 17.1 overs, securing a third consecutive victory and moving to six points at the top of the group.

Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 86 from 44 deliveries, including 12 fours. Opening the innings, he controlled the chase from early on and ensured there was little pressure on the middle order. His innings formed the backbone of a pursuit that rarely looked in trouble once the initial platform was laid.

Marco Jansen, however, took the official honours with the ball. The left-arm seamer finished with four for 40 from his four overs, removing four of New Zealand’s top five and shifting the match in South Africa’s favour during the Powerplay and middle overs. His spell disrupted New Zealand’s early momentum and limited their ability to stretch the total in the final stages.

New Zealand’s openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen attacked from the outset, targeting both Jansen and Lungi Ngidi. They moved quickly into the 30s, but Jansen responded by using his height to extract bounce and dismiss Seifert. Shortly after, Rachin Ravindra followed, and South Africa’s seamers began to apply sustained pressure.

Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada supported Jansen well, collecting key wickets to leave New Zealand at 64 for four inside seven overs. That forced Chapman and Mitchell into a rebuilding role. They responded with a calculated stand, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries as they steadied the innings and then pushed the total towards respectability.

Chapman made 48 and Mitchell 32, and their stand threatened to set up a late surge. Jansen’s return to the attack ended that prospect. He removed Chapman and later contributed to checking the scoring in the closing overs, while Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner fell without being able to accelerate as planned. New Zealand closed on 175 for seven, a score that looked par but not beyond South Africa’s batting depth.

South Africa’s chase began at pace. Quinton de Kock scored 20 from 14 balls and Ryan Rickelton 21 from 11, giving the innings early impetus despite both falling to Lockie Ferguson. The early losses did little to slow the scoring rate, as Markram took charge.

The captain put together another significant passage with Rickelton, adding 40 to carry South Africa past 100 inside eight overs. Even when Rickelton and Dewald Brevis (21) fell in relatively quick succession, Markram maintained his tempo, reaching his half-century from 28 balls and continuing to find gaps with regularity.

David Miller joined Markram to close out the match calmly. Miller finished 24 not out and ended proceedings with a six over mid-wicket, sealing victory with 17 balls to spare.

After the match, Markram highlighted the collective bowling mindset and clearer on-field decision-making as the main improvements. With three wins from three and their net run rate boosted by the margin of this result, South Africa now stand on the verge of the Super 8s, with their captain convinced that there is still further room for growth.

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