NZ vs SA: New Zealand’s batting lineup gave a stunning performance against South Africa’s lethal bowling attack as the Kiwis registered 362 at the end of 50 overs of the 1st innings of their match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Notably, New Zealand is currently locking horns against South Africa for their 2nd semi-final match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first. They suffered an early setback when opener Will Young was dismissed for 21 off 23 balls. However, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson steadied the innings.
Ravindra played a well-paced and composed knock, scoring 108 off 101 deliveries at a strike rate of 106.93. His innings featured 13 boundaries and a massive six before Kagiso Rabada dismissed him in the 34th over (33.3). Williamson also scored 102 off 94 balls, helping New Zealand register a total of 362.
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Lungi Ngidi restricts NZ to 362 in Champions Trophy 2025 2nd semi final
Glenn Phillip’s attacking knock of 49 off 27 balls helped the Black Caps post a target of 362. The Proteas star pacer Lungi Ngidi picked a 3 wicket haul to dismantle the New Zealand team, while Kagiso Rabada picked two wickets.
‘Young and Kane helped me get through’ – Rachin Ravindra
Speaking in the mid innings, Rachin Ravindra opined on his knock and what drove him to score big.
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Ravindra said, ‘I guess it was the partnerships, Young and Kane helped me get through the ebbs and flows, at times my timing isn’t so great, but KW helped me get through that phase. At times, the ball held a bit and the bowlers also bowled good lines and lengths. Hopefully, the ball will continue to hold onto the surface a bit more under lights. He’s a classy player (on Kane Williamson), fun to watch him bat from the other end. The pitch held up at times, looked a bit crumbly, so the key will be to bowl into the surface, use the cutters and variations (on the bowling plans).’
NZ vs SA: Scorecard
Scorecard: New Zealand [Rachin Ravindra 108 (101), Kane Williamson 102 (94)], South Africa [Lungi Ngidi (3-72), Kagiso Rabada (2-70)]
