Champions Trophy 2025 results: New Zealand thrash South Africa to reach final
New Zealand’s approach to 50 innings is traditional.
Establish a foundation before the first 35 or 40 points and leave enough wickets in the late stages of the situation to launch an all-around attack.
A simple strategy that can be difficult to stop if executed well. In Lahore, New Zealand has done it perfectly enough.
Of course, it requires players with skill and temperament to go through the gears, knowing when to accelerate properly and which bowling balls to aim for.
Williamson has played a prominent role for more than a decade, and while the 34-year-old shows no signs of slowing down, New Zealand’s Ravindra seems to have a natural successor.
The couple was together on the crease throughout 26 matches, and New Zealand decided on the proceedings.
When they wanted to tick quietly with one and two, they did it while preparing to drop the bad ball, and then acknowledged the surface of quality, they raised the bet and seamlessly turned five or six into seven and eight more.
The elegant left-hander Ravindra is in control throughout the inning and despite being more aggressive in Williamson’s stands, his scoring rate is quite consistent – his top fifty only appeared in 47, the second in the second.
Ravindra’s quick score means the Black Hat has the ability to get Williamson to a relatively slow start and is sure he will be able to catch up.
South Africa spent his 56-year-old life – Klaasen put a catch behind the stump and sneaked into his right side – Williamson made them pay.
Half a century after reaching him from 61 balls, he only needed 30 to reach his tons as he continued on after Ravindra’s sack, combining his usual classical brushstrokes with some imaginative spoons and ramps.
When Williamson left on the 40th, New Zealand was ready for launch. Given such a solid foundation, the batsman hasn’t disappointed.
