After Morne Morkel had rocked New Zealand with a four-wicket haul,
Justin Kemp blunted the Kiwi attack with a buccaneering unbeaten 89 as
South Africa romped home to a six-wicket to keep alive its semi-final hopes
in the Twenty20 cricket World Cup here today.
Chasing 154 to win, the hosts cruised to 158 for four with five balls to spare
on the back of Kemp's violent knock that came off just 56 balls and included six
hits to the fence and as many over it.
It was, however, Morkel's 4-17 that helped South Africa take
an early upper hand in the match as they restricted the Kiwis to a gettable
153 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.
Lou Vincent (32) and Brendan McCullum (38) gave New Zealand
a good start before things went awry and Craig McMillan's unbeaten 48 in the
middle order was not enough to prop up the innings.
South Africa's victory opened up the group and India would
now have to win both their remaining games to force a three-way tie for the
semifinals.
South Africa lost couple of early wickets to slump to 17 for
two and was reduced to 45 for three in just over seven overs before Kemp and
Mark Boucher (23) steadied the boat and then Shaun Pollock (16 not out), beneficiary
of a dropped catch, joined Kemp to see the side through.
Shane Bond removed Graeme Smith (2) and Mark Gillespie scalped
AB de Villiers (1) to put pressure on the hosts and losing Herschelle Gibbs
(19) further complicated things for South Africa.
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