World Cup: SA score 357/4 against NZ; Quinton, Dussen shine
South Africa once again showcased their explosive batting as they racked up 357/4 against New Zealand in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup encounter in Pune. The Proteas innings saw two centurions in the form of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen. David Miller added his finishing touch with a quickfire fifty. Tim Southee took two wickets for the Kiwis.
De Kock and Rassie van der Dussen floor NZ
De Kock and Temba Bavuma shared 38 runs for the opening wicket. Thereafter, De Kock was rock solid alongside van der Dussen. Together, the duo added a 200-run stand which is now the highest for any wicket for SA against New Zealand in ODIs. Notably, De Kock got to his hundred with a six. He was dismissed for 114 by Southee.
Fourth ton for De Kock in WC 2023
De Kock equaled the record of former Sri Lankan ace Kumar Sangakkara in terms of tons in a single World Cup edition (4). Sangakkara had hammered four tons in the 2015 edition. India's Rohit Sharma leads the show with 5 centuries in 2019.
21 ODI tons for De Kock
De Kock now owns 21 ODI centuries, going level with Herschelle Gibbs. Only Hashim Amla (27) and AB de Villiers (25) have scored more ODI tons for South Africa. Playing his 152nd ODI, De Kock owns over 6,700 runs (6,721).
8,000 List A runs for De Kock
En route to his century, De Kock also went past 8,000 runs in List A cricket. He has taken 193 games to accomplish 8,000 runs in the format. He currently averages over 44 in the format, striking at 97-plus. Notably, QDK made his List A debut during the 2009 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge. His ODI debut came in January 2013.
Another century for van der Dussen
Rassie van der Dussen arrived in the middle after SA lost skipper Bavuma early on. He then bashed the Kiwi bowlers along with de Kock, who departed after SA crossed 230. Nonetheless, van der Dussen went on to smash 133 off 118 balls, a knock laced with 9 fours and 5 sixes. It was his second century of World Cup 2023.
A record partnership for SA
De Kock and van der Dussen added 200 runs for the second wicket, now the fifth-highest partnership for South Africa in ODI World Cups. De Kock and van der Dussen shared a 204-run stand against Sri Lanka in Delhi earlier in the tournament. This is also the highest partnership for South Africa against New Zealand in ODIs.
Only the second pair with this feat
De Kock and van der Dussen make only the second pair to record two 200+ stands in ODI World Cups. Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga were the first ones to achieve this feat (in 2011).
Miller slams a 30-ball 53
Miller once again made merry in the death overs. He joined van der Dussen in the 40th over when the score read 238/2. The latter departed after SA crossed 300, while Miller helped the Proteas go past 350. He smashed a 30-ball 53, a knock studded with 2 fours and 4 sixes. Miller slammed his 24th half-century in ODI cricket.
Other notable numbers for SA
South Africa hammered 119 runs for two wickets in the last 10 overs. Their score in overs 41-50 batting first in WC 2023: 137/2 vs SL, 79/4 vs AUS, 143/2 vs ENG, 144/2 vs BAN, and 119/2 vs NZ. Notably, SA have crossed the 300-run mark for the eighth consecutive innings while batting first. SA's 357/4 is now their highest ODI total against NZ.
