 "New Zealand captain Santner looks forward to Champions Trophy rematch against India: ‘Cool feeling to make the final'")
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner hailed his team’s depth, especially in the spin department, after his team confirmed a date with India in the ICC Champions Trophy final with a clinical 50-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday. Santner led the way with figures of 3/43 and was ably assisted by spin-bowling all-rounders Glenn Phillips (2/27) and Rachin Ravindra (1/20) as New Zealand restricted South Africa to 312/9 after setting them an improbable 363 to win.
This was after Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson’s (102) centuries and their mammoth 164-run partnership for the second wicket helped the Kiwis put one foot in Sunday’s final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium by posting the highest total of the ongoing tournament so far.
‘We got four all-rounders who bowl spin’: Santner praises NZ’s depth
“It’s a cool feeling to make the final. We were challenged by a good side. We’ve had a go against India, look forward to do it again. The platform we were able to set with Rachin and Kane, and set up the death phase earlier, was great. The finishers did their job,” Santner said during the post-match presentation ceremony after the Kiwis collected their third win in four matches.
“The key for the bowlers to keep chipping away with wickets. It was good personally. What we speak about as a group is apply pressure, but still take wickets. It was pleasing to get three pretty good scalps personally.
“We got four all-rounders who bowl spin, that gives depth. GP’s two wickets and Rachin’s five overs was great,” the left-arm spinner added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe depth in their squad, especially in their spin department, will be crucial for Santner’s men as they face an undefeated Indian team in Sunday's final in Dubai , where the wicket has been considerably slower compared to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, the venue for Wednesday’s semi-final that has been the highest-scoring venue of the tournament.
India’s spin quartet comprising Varun Chakravarthy (5/42), Kuldeep Yadav (2/56), Axar Patel (1/32) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/36) had spun a web around the Kiwi batting order during their Group A clash on Sunday.
India, as a result, had successfully defended a modest total of 249 to finish top of Group A and setup a semi-final meeting with Australia, which they won by four wickets.
‘We weren’t able to set up the base for the middle order’: Bavuma
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, meanwhile, rued not building an ideal foundation for the middle order along with Rassie van der Dussen.
Bavuma (56) and van der Dussen (69) struck fifties and added 105 for the second wicket, but needed to forge a mammoth partnership like that between Ravindra and Williamson if the Proteas were to have a shot at pulling off a record chase.
David Miller would later remain unbeaten on 100 off 67 balls, but his brought up the milestone at a time when the Black Caps had already switched off, with the game firmly in their grasp.
It's David Miller again, in a semi-final yet again. A phenomenal effort, an incredible century 🔥🇿🇦🏏💪. #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #ChampionsTrophy #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/tqwydSkzCs
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 5, 2025
“NZ were above par. I think as well as they batted, we backed ourselves to chase 350 with the wicket getting better. We had one or two good partnerships but not enough. One of me or VDD to go big, which didn’t happen. NZ really put us under pressure from the get go. They pierced the off side regularly and kept hitting boundaries in the middle overs, was tough to contain them for having had wickets in hand at the death and putting us under pressure.
“At 125 for 1, me and Rassie batting, we needed to bat till the 35th. But we weren’t able to set up the base for the middle order. Soft dismissal for me, better ball to get Rassie. Left too much to do for those coming in. From a batting pov, being more decisive is what’s on my mind. Have to be ruthless and go for the game,” Bavuma said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
New Zealand will be aiming to win the Champions Trophy for a second time when they face India in the final on Sunday.
Their only triumph in the ‘Mini World Cup’ had also come with a victory over the Men in Blue in the summit clash, with Chris Cairns’ unbeaten century helping the Kiwis defeat Sourav Ganguly’s men in Nairobi in October 2000.
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