MATCH STORY
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Ah, s***, here we go again!
There is something about Netherlands that sends the cat among the pigeons in the South African camp. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, they flunked a run chase of 159 by 13 runs, which knocked them out of the tournament from a potential semi-final qualification. Only last year, in the 50-over World Cup in 2022, they were bowled out for 207 in a 38-run defeat.
Starting their chase of 104 in the T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa were 3/3 in no time.
Quinton de Kock was run out without facing a ball. Reeza Hendricks received a ripping in-swinger. And the skipper, Aiden Markram, was strangled down the leg-side. Fair to say, the Proteas keep their worst luck for times when all eyeballs are on them.
It brought David Miller to the crease. There was Tristan Stubbs at the other end. It was the last recognized pair, with Marco Jansen, the bowling all-rounder to come next. At the end of the powerplay, South Africa were 16/4, their joint-lowest powerplay score in T20Is.
Miller’s wicket opened the door for Netherlands in both Adelaide and Dharamsala. This time again, he was the key. And this time, he wasn’t going away until getting the job done.
Despite being a power-hitter, Miller possessed enough defensive technique to bat cautiously alongside Stubbs. The duo added 65 off 72 balls. At the end of the 10th over mark, Miller was 13 off 19 balls and Stubbs at 9 from 21.
The asking rate had gone up to 7.2 — an easily manageable figure in modern-day cricket but 1.4 runs/over more than the average run rate at the venue before South Africa’s innings.
They needed to release the pressure before the pressure mounted them. The left-hander scored a four and a six in the next two overs, bringing the required rate down under five. Stubbs did the same from the other end, scoring a six in the 14th over and a four to begin the 15th. A passionate glove punch between the two stood as characteristic of South Africa’s comeback.
However, Miller played a maiden over in the 16th, constantly trying to run down the pitch against Paul van Meekeren. And Stubbs felt the pressure, succumbing to a miscued hit in search of a release shot. Yet again, Miller’s wicket stood between the Dutch and another Protea humbling.
25 runs left, three overs to go, bowling all-rounders at the other end
Miller dealt with the equation with three sixes off deliveries on the shorter side of the good length region. The good length on the New York pitch has been a landmine for batters with its extra bounce. Throughout this contest, Miller was the only batter with a strike rate of 100 from the good length region.
He nullified the greatest piece of trickery in the match. He was also up to the task against the back-of-a-length and short balls.
The 34-year-old completed his half-century in 50 balls. Finishing the game with a four and a six, this is the first time Miller has played 50 balls or more in a T20I innings. It is a testimony of the patience he showed. The fact that South Africa eventually made the target with more than an over to spare speaks for how well he paced the innings.
The arms pumped the air with a scream in the trademark Miller celebration. He had wiped out the ghosts of Adelaide and Dharamsala in New York.
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