South Africa’s hopes of a first white-ball ICC tournament trophy in 28 years ended in disappointment and humiliation today as New Zealand brushed them aside with contemptuous ease in Kolkata to reach the T20 World Cup final.
Finn Allen was their destroyer in chief with an incredible 100 not out off just 33 balls. Needing one run to win and Allen on 96 not out, he smashed a Marco Jansen delivery to the boundary to bring up his ton and complete a nine-wicket triumph.
It was a phenomenal knock from Allen as he made light of a pitch that looked tricky when South Africa batter on it earlier.
An unbeaten 55 from Jansen enabled South Africa to post a below-par 169 for eight from their 20 overs, a score woefully exposed as New Zealand cruised to their victory target with more than seven overs remaining.
South Africa were the only remaining unbeaten team in the tournament, a run that included an emphatic defeat of the Black Caps in the group stage.
Belief was high that this was their time. However, they never really got going with the bat. Dewald Brewis’ dismissal for 34 saw them slip to 77 for five and only some resolute batting from Jansen and Tristan Stubbs (29) meant they posted a total that was at least competitive.
Markram (18), Quinton de Kock (10), Ryan Rickelton (0) and David Miller (six) all failed with Matt Henry, Cole McConchie and Rachin Ravindra each taking two wickets.
New Zealand came out swinging and 84 from the opening powerplay effectively settled a one-sided contest. Jansen was not as effective with the ball as he was with the bat while Kagiso Rabada was also surprisingly impotent.
Tim Seifert and Allen cashed in. Seifert hit 58 off 33 balls to set the tone while Allen was even better, his knock containing 10 fours and eight sixes.
Rabada eventually removed Seifert with a brilliant ball that jagged back off the seam and crashed into the stumps. The paceman’s lack of celebration spoke volumes; he knew the game was up with New Zealand having reached 117 from 9.1 overs.
Ravindra carried on where Seifert left off although he was happy to play a supporting role as Allen took centre stage.
There were still 21 runs required when Jansen started the 13th over but Allen powered through it with three fours and two sixes to register the fastest T20I century in a match between two full-member nations.
New Zealand will face either India or England in the final on Sunday.
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