SA off to winning start in Super Eight

On a good wicket where the ball was coming on to bat, South Africa hit up 194 for 4 with the US keeping themselves in the game before losing by 18 runs

By Abdul Mohi Shah

June 20, 2024

South Africa´s Kagiso Rabada celebrates winning the match with Keshav Maharaj during the ICC men´s Twenty20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight cricket match between the United States and South Africa at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda on June 19, 2024. — AFP

ANTIGUA (Caribbean Islands): The US took the game back to South Africa before losing the World Cup T20 Super Eight match at the Viv Richard Stadium in Antigua Wednesday.

On a good wicket where the ball was coming on to bat, South Africa hit up 194 for 4 with the US keeping themselves in the game before losing by 18 runs.

Andries Gous (80 not out) entertaining knock gave the US a ray of hope following some exciting batting display by Quintin de Kock (74) led South African batting line-up. De Kock struck five sixes and seven fours in his 40-ball knock to give a dazzling start to the innings. Markram (46) and H Klaasen (36 not out) continued rapid scoring momentum.

In reply, the US reached 50 in the sixth over with Steven Taylor (24) making an early impression. His innings studded with five fours and as many sixes kept up the pressure on South Africa. Kagiso Rabada (3-18) then bowled an excellent spell to put brakes on the US free flowing batting, to help South Africa get home by 18 runs.

Quinton de Kock was declared Man of the Match

Score: South Africa 194 for 4 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 74, Markram 46, Klaasen 36 not out, Harmeet Singh 2-24) USA 176 for 6 in 20 overs (Andries Gous 80 not out, Harmeet Singh 38, Kagiso Rabada 3-18)