Heartache for ‘Spirited’ USA as Proteas prevail with 18-run win

T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8: South Africa have started their Super 8 campaign on a winning note as they secure a hard-fought 18-run victory over a feisty American team. The Proteas sit alongside co-hosts USA and West Indies and England in the Super 8 Group 2, with the top two teams set to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

South Africa started the match on a positive note as they defeated the American bowlers from the start. Despite losing Reeza Hendricks early in the innings, skipper Aiden Markram carried the runs alongside Quinton De Kock as the pair registered a 110-run partnership for the second wicket in just 60 balls.

Twin wickets in quick succession from Harmeet Singh slowed things down for the Proteas, but Heinrich Klassen and Tristan Stubbs saw the side go past the 190-run mark, while the US had set a hefty target of 195.

The US never looked like they were in the competition as ruthless bowling from the Proteas restricted the side to 76/5 inside 11.1 overs. Andre Gous had other plans, however, as his unbeaten 80 off 47 balls almost took USA over the finish line, until a ‘certain’ Kagiso Rabada appeared from nowhere and broke American hearts by including the figures of 3/18 in his 4 overtime.

This is what ‘Man of the Match’ Quinton De Kock said during the post-match presentation ceremony

“It was obviously a nice day out. Finally a decent wicket. We’ve had some tough wickets here. The boys fought well. The USA also played well and fought well to the end. The focus was on scoring runs with the wind and the shorter boundary. We have had some tough wickets for this match. It was nice to come in and hit some balls and score some runs under our belt,” said De Kock.

“We still have a few games to win. We will be up against some big teams. Different venues and different surfaces and we don’t know what we will be up against,” he added.