Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra both struck sublime centuries for New Zealand against the Proteas in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal in Lahore.
Image: AFP
ICC Champions Trophy semifinal
New Zealand: 362/6 (Ravindra 108, Williamson 102, Mitchell 49, Phillips 49*, Ngidi 3/72, Rabada 2/70)
Temba Bavuma said they had plans for the legendary Black Cap Kane Williamson but did not want to divulge it to the media on Tuesday.
But after yet another brilliant Williamson, who Bavuma describes as ‘always a thorn’, century against the Proteas, it leaves the question: did the skipper actually pass on the plans on his bowling unit in today’s ICC Champions Trophy semifinal at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore?
To be fair to the Proteas bowlers, teams can do all the research and analyse all the data they can lay their hands on. But deep in their hearts they know that when confronted with the brilliance of Williamson (102, 94 balls, 10x2, 2x6) then all plans are rendered meaningless.
It could not have been better illustrated by the exquisite manner in which he reached his 15th ODI century - and third successive ton against the Proteas - with a little skip over to off stump before crafting a delicate lap that sailed into the open green turf for a boundary.
The fact that he was dismissed in the same manner a few balls later was merely a glitch in the perfectly fabricated Williamson machine.
For everything that had come before that was systematically flawless. The former Black Caps skipper’s innings was a masterpiece of placement and timing, as he initially played the supporting role to fellow centurion Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101 balls, 13x4, 1x6).
The pair ying-yanged in perfect harmony during their mammoth 164-run partnership for the second wicket.
When Ravindra was carving, pulling and flicking the Proteas bowlers to all parts, Williamson was prepared to sit back and accumulate 61 balls for his first half-century.
But after Ravindra’s dismissal after an equally magnificent century, Williamson flicked the switch and moved seamlessly through the gears to utilise just another 30 balls for his next 50.
Kane Williamson raises his bat after reaching his third consecutive ODI century against the Proteas.
Image: AFP
Williamson offered one chance. On 56, he edged Lungi Ngidi’s slower ball behind, but despite wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen diving full length to his right, he could only palm the ball towards the boundary.
It would be easy, perhaps valid, to suggest that the Proteas may have bowled smarter lengths and tighter lines especially at the death to Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37 balls) and Glenn Phillips (49*), but other than the slower ball that gripped on occasion there was nothing in the road-like surface on offer in terms of seam movement or spin.
This may be the sole consolation for the Proteas’ batters as the Gaddafi Stadium surface will not change as the night progresses as they attempt to hunt down 362/6 for a chance to face the mighty India in Sunday’s grand final in Dubai.
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