On Saturday, the 16th match of the T20 World Cup 2024 took place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. South Africa beat Netherlands by four runs. The Proteas almost lost to the Netherlands for the third time in ICC events, but David Miller stood up for them again and led them to win. South Africa had a bad start when they were trying to reach the 104-run goal because the Dutch bowlers shook up their top order. In just 2.3 overs, they were 12-4.
South Africa Defeats Netherlands in T20
The Proteas were put in a tough spot when Reeza Hendricks (3 off 10), Quinton de Kock (0), Aiden Markram (0), and Heinrich Klaasen (4 off 7) walked back to the pavillion.
That being said, Tristan Stubbs and Miller scored 65 runs together to bring the Proteas back into the game.
Bas de Leede got rid of Stubbs in the 17th over, and soon after, Marco Jansen also left for the pavillion. Even though wickets kept falling, Miller kept going after the Dutch. He led his team to win with an innings of 59 not out.
As early as the third ball of the first innings, Marco Jensen got rid of Dutch opener Michael Levitt, which showed how good the Proteas bowlers were. This put the Dutch hitters on the back foot from the very first over.
The South African bowlers kept attack against the Dutch and sent their batters back to the pavillion without getting many runs.
The Netherlands were down to 48-6 after 11.5 overs, and it looked like they would lose early again in New York. But Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek put together an important 54-run partnership that got them over the 100-run mark.
Anthony van der Dussen of the Proteas broke up the pair in the last over, and the Netherlands ended their innings with 103-9 after 20 overs.
Two wickets were taken by Jensen and Anrich Nortje, and Baartman was able to get rid of four Dutch hitters.
In New York, South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first.
