On this day in 2019, New Zealand won the last over thriller to reach the top of the table of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
During the 25th match of the 12th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup, the two giants of cricket world played a nail-biting game of cricket that resulted in New Zealand’s favour.
New Zealand after winning the toss elected to bowl first and their decision to choose the field was proved to right as their bowlers did a perfect job by restricting them for just 241 for 6 in 49 overs.
Rassie van der Dussen scored the highest run amongst the South Africa’s batters. Dussen’s power packed 67 off 64 helped the Proteas to cross the 240 mark. Apart from Dussen the opener Hashim Amla also played a solid knock and smashed a half-century.
Chasing a target of 242, New Zealand also started on a dreary note as they lost their first wicket on just 12. However, Martin Guptill and Captain Kane Williamson did a 60-run partnership to steady their ship. But then in the span of just 8 runs New Zealand lost 3 of their main batters.
The skipper Kane Williamson, on the other hand, was playing his regular game and was scoring runs from one end. Jimmy Neesham also supported him and scored 23 before walking back to pavilion when the Kiwis were at 137 for 5.
New Zealand still required 105 off 106 with only 5 wickets in hand. The skipper and the all-rounder Collin de Grandhomme added 91 runs for the 7 wicket and took their team near the target.
On the first ball of 48th over New Zealand lost Grandhomme. The kiwis went into last over with 8 runs to claim the victory.
Mitchell Santner took a single on the first ball of last over to give Williamson the strike. The skipper then smashed a six to complete his century and hit a four on third to hand his a victory to reach atop of leaderboard.
