Proteas get valuable time in the middle ahead of Cricket World Cup opener

By SABC Sport
2nd October 2023

Temba Bavuma is on his way back to rejoin the Proteas as the rest of the squad got some valuable time in the middle before their World Cup warm-up game against New Zealand was called off due to rain.

After their first official warm-up match against Afghanistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled, Proteas coach Rob Walter expressed hope that his charges would get some game time ahead of their tournament opener against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

The Proteas' bowlers was first up when New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss chose to bat first, posting a total of 321-6 in their 50 overs.

Reflecting the nature of the contest that had no official ODI status for the fixture, stand-in captain Aiden Markram opted to use nine bowlers.

Seamers Lungi Ngidi (3-33 in seven overs) and Marco Jansen (3-45 in overs) were impressive as they picked up three wickets apiece while Devon Conway shone for the Black Caps with 78 off 73 balls before retiring to gave other batters a turn at the crease.

The Proteas lost Reeza Hendricks (0) early in the run-chase but Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen added 72 for the second wicket.

Van der Dussen eventually lost his wicket for 51 from 56 deliveries before Markram skied a catch to deep cover for a run-a-ball 13.

Heinrich Klaasen struck five fours and a six before he was caught behind off left-arm seamer Trent Boult for 39 off 37 balls.

David Miller joined De Kock at the crease and the duo were just getting going when the rain came in after 37 overs before the match was called off.

De Kock was unbeaten on 84 from 89 deliveries while Miller had made his way to 18 with New Zealand declared winners by 7 runs by the DLS method.

More good news from the Proteas camp is that skipper Bavuma is already on his way back to India after attending to a personal matter at home and will join the squad in Delhi on Tuesday.