(From Naveen Abeyratne in Karachi)
South Africa qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy with a comfortable seven-wicket win over England in a Group B match, played in Karachi today. While South Africa qualified for the semi-finals having an unbeaten run in the preliminary round, England crashed out of the tournament after losing all three of their preliminary matches.
To make matters worse, even before today’s game, England skipper Jos Buttler announced that he is stepping down from the job after being knocked out of the Champions Trophy.
Wiaan Mulder (25/3) and Marco Janssen (39/3) played havoc with English batters as they were bowled out for 179 in 38.2 overs. South Africa chased down the target in 29.1 overs, losing just three wickets.
The only remaining preliminary round match is between India and New Zealand. The result of this match will not have any bearing on their qualification for the semi-finals. New Zealand vs India encounter will be played for television rights and for some other reasons but both teams have already qualified for the semi-finals. However, the table leaders and their semi-final opponents will depend on the outcome of tomorrow’s match.
The first semi-final of the Champions Trophy will be played in Dubai on March 4 and the second match will be played in Lahore on March 5.
The Indian team, who refused to travel to Pakistan for political reasons, will play their semi-final and the final in Dubai, regardless of where they finish in the points table. Only if India qualify for the final, it will be held in Dubai on March 9. Otherwise, the Champions Trophy final will be played in Lahore on the 9th.
England were bowled out for 179 runs, giving South Africa an easy target.
Pacer Jofra Archer dismissed South Africa’s openers Tristan Stubbs (00) and Ryan Rickelton (27) for 47, but Rassie van der Dussen and Henrik Klaasen put on a 127-run stand for the third wicket to guide South Africa to victory.
Klaasen, who scored 64 runs off 56 balls with 11 fours, was dismissed with victory in sight. David Miller completed the target with a six when only 5 runs required for victory. Rassie van der Dussen scored an unbeaten 72 runs off 87 balls and his innings included 3 sixes and 6 fours.
England won the toss and elected to bat first, but only Joe Root stood against the South Africans. Spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets for 35 runs, while Joe Root, the most reliable batsman in the England batting line-up these days, scored 37 runs. Root’s 44-ball innings was studded with four fours and a six, but no other England batsman came out to support him.
South Africa also played without regular captains Temba Bawuma and Tony de Soursey. Both were ill, and interim captain Aiden Markram too was forced to leave the field midway through the match with a hamstring injury. But it was no loss to the South Africans.
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