Van der Dussen was stuffed with reward for all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.
With the Proteas having been broadly criticised for an obvious failure to chase down targets, top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen believed they had silenced their critics with a five-wicket win over big slayers Afghanistan on the Cricket World Cup.
Chasing 245 to win in Ahmedabad on Friday, the Proteas chipped away at their goal, led by a affected person knock from Van der Dussen. He contributed 76 off 95 balls, combining in a key 65-run stand with all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo (39 not out) for the sixth wicket.
Earlier, although, they needed to cope with a gutsy combat from all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai (97 not out), the South Africans managed to limit Afghanistan to 244 runs.
Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee spearheaded the Proteas assault, returning 4/44, whereas spinner Keshav Maharaj additionally bowled effectively to take 2/25 from his 10 overs.
“I think coming into this match we wanted to put ourselves in that situation, so if we won the toss we would have bowled anyway, because we wanted to put ourselves in that situation, knowing that they’ve got a really strong spin attack especially,” Van der Dussen stated.
“I think it was largely controlled. There were one or two nervy moments, but that’s always the case in chases like that. You’ve just got to communicate well to the guys coming in.”
Phehlukwayo stands up
Van der Dussen was stuffed with reward for Phehlukwayo, who stood up in his first match of the match after giving in-form all-rounder Marco Jansen a relaxation.
“He played brilliantly, and throughout this whole campaign it’s been such a squad effort… so I’m really happy for him to get a chance and to remind everyone again what he’s about as a player.”
South Africa will face Australia within the semi-finals of the worldwide showpiece on Thursday.
Source link
