The co-hosts USA took on the hot favourites South Africa in the first super-8 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The game was played at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in North Sound of Antigua on Wednesday, June 19. The USA won the toss and asked the Proteas to bat first.
Batting first, South Africa posted a very good total of 194 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the allotted 20 overs courtesy of an amazing 74-run knock played by wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock; he scored these 74 runs off just 40 balls, with 7 fours and 5 sixes.
Besides him, skipper Aiden Markram and star batter Heinrich Klaasen also played the crucial knocks of 46 and 36 runs off just 32 and 22 balls. Tristan Stubbs also scored an unbeaten 20 runs off 16 balls, with 2 fours.
Star USA pacer Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh scalped 2 wickets each for their side in the first innings.
Valiant efforts from Gous and Harmeet go in vain SA hold nerves
While chasing the target, the United States of America were struggling at the moment after losing 5 wickets at the score of just 76 runs. But then came a crucial partnership of 91 runs for the sixth wicket between wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous and all-rounder Harmeet Singh.
Andries Gous played an amazing knock of 80 runs off just 47 balls, with 5 fours and 5 sixes, alongside Harmeet Singh’s 38 runs off just 22 balls, with 2 fours and 3 sixes. However, their efforts took the USA close to the target but still, they fell short by 19 runs and lost the game by 18 runs, scoring 176 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the entire 20 overs.
The veteran SA wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock won the ‘Player of the Match award for his amazing 74-run knock off just 40 balls. However, the fans praised USA for their amazing fight back in the game.
Here’s how fans reacted to SA’s 18-run win against USA:
WHAT A FIGHT-BACK BY USA...!!!
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 19, 2024
- They showed, it was not luck in the Group stage, give a proper tough game to South Africa till the 18th over, they are here to stay and great news for World cricket. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/HcnSexQk8h
Fantastic intent by USA 🔥
— Sankott (@Iamsankot) June 19, 2024
Respect USA TEAM 🔥
— WORLD CUP FOLLOWER (@BiggBosstwts) June 19, 2024
South Africa may have won the match but USA won our hearts.
— Ujjawal Bhai (@sonuujjawal26) June 19, 2024
What a tremendous fight they have given to the South African team. At one stage, USA looked like the favourite to win this one.
Chin up USA 🇺🇲
Well Played USA
— Soyab_Z009 (@animals_zoo0) June 19, 2024
Intent se khele hai bande ✅
— Pritam Pandey ✌️ (@ViratFan100) June 19, 2024
Kagiso Rabada - the saviour of South Africa. pic.twitter.com/qDcCpjviTd
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 19, 2024
A match-turning spell by KG!
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) June 19, 2024
South Africa won the match but USA won the hearts.
— Satish Mishra 🇮🇳 (@SATISHMISH78) June 19, 2024
𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 consecutive wins for South Africa in the T20 World Cup. 🇿🇦🔥
— Abdullah Zafar (@Arain_417) June 19, 2024
What a Superb Performance By Proteas!
The wicket of Harmeet is thethe game changing moment. He is the who Strikes the ball cleanly.
— Bails&Bytes (@BailsNByte) June 19, 2024