Stockholms Dagblad - Jansen fifty lifts South Africa to 169-8 against New Zealand

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Jansen fifty lifts South Africa to 169-8 against New Zealand
Jansen fifty lifts South Africa to 169-8 against New Zealand / Photo: Dibyangshu SARKAR - AFP

Jansen fifty lifts South Africa to 169-8 against New Zealand

Marco Jansen hit an unbeaten 55 to lift South Africa from a precarious 77-5 to 169-8 against New Zealand in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday.

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Spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie took two wickets each before Tristan Stubbs and Jansen put on 73 to rescue the innings at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

Stubbs (29) and Jansen, who hit two fours and five sixes in his 30-ball knock, helped set New Zealand a target of 170 to reach the final.

India successfully chased 196 against the West Indies on Sunday on the same ground.

South Africa are the only unbeaten team in the tournament, while New Zealand edged into the semi-finals on net run rate.

McConchie struck first in the second over with his off-spin to send back Quinton De Kock for 10 and Ryan Rickelton next ball, but Dewald Brevis avoided the hat-trick.

Aiden Markram was reprieved on three when Ravindra dropped him at midwicket off pace bowler Lockie Ferguson.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra made amends when he had the South Africa captain caught in the deep by Daryl Mitchell for 18.

David Miller was dropped on three by Glenn Phillips but fell for six to Ravindra five balls later, with Mitchell again taking the catch at long-on.

South Africa had lost half their side in 10.2 overs when Jimmy Neesham cut short Brevis's knock on 34.

Ferguson bowled Stubbs but Jansen hit him for six to reach his fifty.

Pace bowler Matt Henry, who arrived back only on Tuesday night after going home for the birth of his child, took 2-34.

The winner will play either India or England, who face each other on Thursday in Mumbai, in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

V.Sandberg--StDgbl