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ODI world cup 2023 Cricket

'They are unstoppable' - Fans react as South Africa thrash New Zealand in 2023 ODI World Cup, climbs to top spot

South Africa ended their five-match losing streak against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup.

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Mathew K
New Update
South Africa (Source: Twitter)

South Africa (Source: Twitter)

South Africa have made a habit of putting up huge totals on the board and winning games by huge margins. They ended their five-match losing streak against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup with a 190-run victory at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday, November 1. While Proteas topped the points table with six wins, New Zealand made the tournament wide open with their third loss. 

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Considering South Africa's campaign in the ongoing World Cup so far, it was a strange decision from Tom Latham to bowl first after winning the toss. Temba Bavuma's side lost just one match, and that was while chasing against the minnows Netherlands. They managed to defeat Pakistan but were made to sweat hard in a 271-run chase. Quinton de Kock and Co. grabbed the opportunity with both hands as they amassed 357 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.  

Bavuma and de Kock got off to a slow start and the former once again failed to go big. It wasn't one of the easiest pitches to bat on, but de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen took their time to build a solid partnership for the second wicket. The duo added 200 runs together before Tim Southee got rid of the dangerous opener. De Kock continued his tremendous form by scoring yet another century - his fourth in the tournament.

In his record-breaking innings, de Kock smashed 114 off 116 balls with the help of 10 fours and 3 sixes. Van der Dussen, meanwhile, hung on till the 48th over and notched up his second ton (133 off 118) of the tournament. David Miller was promoted to No.4 to give a finishing touch and he did exactly that with a quick-fire half-century.

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Proteas pacers hit New Zealand early

In reply, New Zealand got off to a disastrous start as they lost opener Devon Conway in the third over. The Proteas pacers were right on the money as they removed the opposition's top three before any damage could be done. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips tried to build a partnership, but Keshav Maharaj also joined the party with his spin attack. He got rid of Mitchell and New Zealand were in dire straits.

Phillips stayed at one end with ticking the scoreboard but he ran out of partners to pull off a massive target. The right-hander's valiant effort (60 off 50 balls) narrowed the margin of defeat but could not take the team to victory. Maharaj took four wickets while all-rounder Marco Jansen took three. Gerald Coetzee was also impressive with two wickets. 

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Here's how fans reacted to South Africa's win: 

New Zealand featured South Africa ODI World Cup 2023