NZ vs SA Semi-Final | New Zealand's Batting Brilliance Ravindra & Williamson Shine in Champions Trophy 2025 Semifinal Against South Africa First Innings Highlights

New Zealand delivered a dominant batting performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa, posting a massive 362/6. Rachin Ravindra's brilliant 108 off 101 and Kane Williamson's classy 102 off 94 set the foundation, while Glenn Phillips' explosive 49* ensured a strong finish. South Africa’s bowlers struggled, with Lungi Ngidi taking 3 wickets but conceding 72 runs.

Scorecard

New Zealand 362/6 (50 overs) – Rachin Ravindra 108 (101), Kane Williamson 102 (94), Glenn Phillips 49* (27); Lungi Ngidi 3/72, Kagiso Rabada 2/70.

New Zealand's Batting Masterclass: Ravindra and Williamson Power NZ to 362/6 in Champions Trophy Semifinal

New Zealand delivered a stunning batting performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. With a powerful display of stroke play and resilience, the Kiwis posted a mammoth total of 362/6 in their 50 overs, setting a daunting challenge for the Proteas. The innings was built on the brilliance of Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101) and captain Kane Williamson (102 off 94), who dismantled South Africa's bowling attack with class and precision.

Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson Dominate South Africa’s Bowling

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, New Zealand had a steady start with Will Young (21 off 23) before he was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi in the eighth over. This brought Rachin Ravindra to the crease, and what followed was a spectacular exhibition of batting. Ravindra took the attack to the bowlers, playing with aggressive intent while maintaining a solid technique.

Partnering with Williamson, Ravindra built a formidable 164-run stand for the second wicket, frustrating the South African bowling unit. His innings featured 11 boundaries and one six, showcasing his ability to find gaps and rotate the strike efficiently. His century, which came at a strike rate of 106.93, cemented his reputation as one of the most promising young batters in world cricket.

On the other end, Kane Williamson once again proved why he is one of the most reliable batters in modern-day cricket. Playing with his signature calmness, he rotated the strike and took calculated risks. His 102 off 94 deliveries, laced with 10 fours, was a captain’s knock that laid the foundation for a big total. His dismissal in the 40th over slowed the momentum briefly, but New Zealand had already positioned themselves for a strong finish.

Glenn Phillips and Lower-Order Firepower Take NZ Past 360

With Williamson and Ravindra back in the pavilion, South Africa saw a glimmer of hope, but Glenn Phillips had other plans. The explosive middle-order batter played an unbeaten knock of 49 off just 27 balls, smashing two sixes and six boundaries. His aggressive batting ensured that the momentum never dropped, keeping South Africa under immense pressure.

Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37) and Michael Bracewell (16 off 12) played crucial cameos, while Mitchell Santner remained not out on 2. Their late onslaught took New Zealand to a staggering 362/6 at the end of their innings.

South Africa’s Struggles with the Ball

South Africa’s bowling attack had a challenging day, with all frontline bowlers struggling to contain New Zealand’s batting onslaught. Lungi Ngidi picked up three wickets for 72 runs, including the crucial dismissals of Young, Mitchell, and Bracewell. Kagiso Rabada (2/70) showed glimpses of brilliance but failed to restrict the run flow. Wiaan Mulder picked up the key wicket of Williamson but went for 48 runs in his six overs.

Marco Jansen (0/79) and Keshav Maharaj (0/65) were expensive, failing to make an impact as the New Zealand batters took full advantage of the conditions. Aiden Markram’s part-time spin provided some relief with an economy rate of 5.80, but it was not enough to halt the Kiwi batting juggernaut.

What’s Next for South Africa

Chasing 363 against a disciplined New Zealand bowling lineup will be an uphill battle for South Africa. Their top-order, led by captain Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram, will need to fire from the start. With Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the middle order, South Africa has the firepower to pull off a chase, but they will require a near-perfect batting effort.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will be confident in their bowling attack, led by Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O’Rourke, to defend their total and secure a spot in the Champions Trophy final.

Conclusion

New Zealand’s emphatic batting performance in the semifinal has put them in the driver’s seat against South Africa. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson’s centuries, combined with Glenn Phillips’ late fireworks, have set the stage for an exciting second innings. Can South Africa chase down this mammoth total, or will New Zealand’s bowlers complete the job? Stay tuned for an electrifying finish!