South Africa’s unbeaten run in the World Cup was ended by a shock 38-run defeat by the Netherlands in Dharamsala.

In a match reduced to 43 overs a side by rain, the Proteas’ bowling effort unravelled after a dominant start, allowing the Dutch to post 245-8.

Captain Scott Edwards’ unbeaten 78 led a remarkable recovery from 82-5.

In reply, Temba Bavuma’s side slipped from 36-0 to 44-4 and were eventually bundled out for 207 in the last over.

It is the Netherlands’ first win of the tournament, and the first time they have beaten a Test-playing nation at a 50-over World Cup.

While the South African batting effort was disappointing, it was the bowling performance at the end of the Netherlands’ innings that started their demise.

Their discipline slipped as Edwards counter-attacked alongside lower-order batters Roelof van der Merwe, who made a 19-ball 29, and Aryan Dutt, who hit three sixes in his 23 not out, with the Netherlands blitzing 105 runs from the last 9.1 overs.

South Africa were visibly frustrated as they left the field at the halfway mark but they were still favourites, given their greater experience and form leading in to the game after thrashing Australia and Sri Lanka.

David Miller was the only Proteas top-order batter to offer any resistance with his composed 43, but his departure in the 31st over left his side struggling 145-7 before Keshav Maharaj’s entertaining 40 from number nine proved in vain.

While the result is a shock, South Africa are still in a decent position to qualify for the knockouts, having beaten Australia and Sri Lanka, and will look to bounce back against England in Mumbai on Saturday.

England are also going into the game on the back of a surprise defeat after losing to Afghanistan.

Source: BBC
-Agencies