South Africa reaches Champions Trophy semifinal with dominant win over England

KATHMANDU: South Africa stormed into the semifinals of the Champions Trophy by defeating a weakened England by 7 wickets, thanks to a stellar partnership between Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen.

With this victory, South Africa topped their group and secured a spot in the final four.

Chasing a target of 180 runs, South Africa completed the chase in just 29.1 overs, losing only 3 wickets in the process, at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan.

Openers Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton failed to make significant contributions, with Stubbs dismissed for a duck and Rickelton scoring just 27 runs before falling to Jofra Archer. At that point, South Africa’s score stood at 47 for 2.

However, the match turned around with a brilliant 127-run partnership for the third wicket between Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen, which laid the foundation for the win. Both players reached half-centuries in the process.

Van der Dussen was the top scorer, remaining unbeaten on 72 runs. He faced 87 balls, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes. Klaasen contributed a solid 64 runs off 56 balls, including 11 fours.

For England, Jofra Archer took 2 wickets, and Liam Livingstone claimed 1 wicket. Earlier, after winning the toss, England was bowled out for just 179 runs in 38.2 overs.

England’s start was shaky, losing 3 wickets for just 37 runs. Marco Jansen’s fiery spell dismantled the English top order, removing Phil Salt (8), Jamie Smith (0), and Ben Duckett (24). No other English batter could capitalize, and while Joe Root top-scored with 37, contributions from Jofra Archer (25) and Jos Buttler (21) were not enough.

In the bowling department, Marco Jansen was the standout performer, taking 3 wickets for 39 runs in 9 overs. Wayne Parnell claimed 3 wickets for just 25 runs from 7.2 overs, and Keshav Maharaj added 2 wickets to his tally.

South Africa’s victory took them to the top of Group B with 5 points. Earlier, the match between South Africa and Australia had been washed out, but South Africa had previously defeated Afghanistan by 107 runs.

Australia, with 4 points, advanced as Group B’s runners-up. Afghanistan, with 3 points, and England, who failed to make it to the semifinals, were eliminated in the group stage.