(Cricket N) South Africa continued their dominant campaign in this World Cup with a 190 run victory over New Zealand. Their scores batting first in this World Cup are 428, 311, 399, 382, and 357. With this victory, they move to the first position in the points table with huge net run rate of +2.290. South Africa’s next match in this World Cup is against India at the Eden Gardens, and that will be a blockbuster of a match as the best team that bats first will face the best chasing team. 

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. This was a questionable decision taken by Tom Latham, considering South Africa’s record when chasing first. This decision proved to be a poor one, as South Africa were 230-1 at the end of the 38th over. 

They managed to pick up only one early wicket of Temba Bavuma in the 8th over, but they could not contain the 150+ run partnership of Quinton De Kock and Rassie van der Dussen. De Kock and van der Dussen scored their respective tons, and late hitting from David Miller boosted South Africa’s score to 357-4 in 50 overs.

End of first innings: South Africa 357-4; Rassie van der Dussen 133 (118); Quinton De Kock 114 (116); Tim Southee 10-77-0-2; Trent Boult 10-49-1-1. 

New Zealand had a poor start to their powerplay as they lost two early wickets and scored only 51 runs. In the very next over, another wicket fell for New Zealand, and they were in deep trouble. Only three batsmen crossed a double digit score, the highest being Glenn Phillips – 60 runs, while the other batsman got out for single digits. New Zealand were all out for 167, and their spot in the semi finals is now in jeopardy.

End of second innings: New Zealand 167-10; Glenn Phillips 60 (50); Will Young 33 (37); Keshav Maharaj 9-46-0-4; Marco Jansen 8-31-1-3.

See also: Juan Carlos Valerón, the magic midfielder who became a hero in Las Palmas and La Coruña