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Markram, Jansen lead South Africa rout of New Zealand

AHMEDABAD: Marco Jansen’s four-wicket haul, backed by a sublime 86* from skipper Aiden Markram, led South Africa to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the Group D fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

South Africa chased down 176 in 17.1 overs with aggressive stroke play, losing only three wickets in the process.

Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram provided a rollicking start. The pair made light work of the chase with 62 in 4.4 overs.

Markram remained the core aggressor with elegant stroke play while De Kock played second fiddle.

The stand culminated with De Kock’s wicket, castled by Lockie Ferguson for 20.

Despite the wicket, New Zealand were unable to stem the runs flow with Ryan Rickelton and Markram both capitalizing on lightning fast outfield.

Rickelton was caught after scoring 21 from 11 with the help of a six and two fours.

At this stage, South Africa were 102-2 in 7.4 overs.

Meanwhile, Markram continued on his charge and never allowed New Zealand bowlers to dominate

South Africa eventually cruised to victory with Markram remaining unbeaten on 86 from 44 balls, laced with four maximums and eight fours.

David Miller, on the other hand, chipped in with 24 off 17, including a six and four.

For New Zealand, there was nothing much in the bowling ranks as Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, and Lockie Ferguson scalped one apiece.

The victory consolidated South Africa top spot in Group with six points from three games.

Earlier, South Africa pacer Marco Jansen’s four-wicket haul restricted New Zealand’s batting lineup from posting an imposing total

Asked to bat first here under lights at the Narendra Modi Stadium, New Zealand managed 175-7 in 20 overs.

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert were off to a flyer, racing to 33 in 3.2 overs.

Siefert, who remained cautious, was the first wicket to fall as Jansen snared him for 13.

After an early wicket, struggling Rachin Ravindra came to the crease and was involved in a brief 24-run stand with Allen.

The last over of the powerplay saw New Zealand losing the plot as both batters were sent back by Marco Jansen.

The tall left-arm pacer first removed Ravindra, thanks to a sharp catch from David Miller at short third position. The soutpaw could only manage 13 from eight, including a six and a four.

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Second, he bagged the prized wicket of Allen on the final ball of the over to leave BlackCaps reeling at 57-3 in six overs. Allen’s 31 off 17 included two sixes and four boundaries.

The BlackCaps’ woes were further compounded when Keshav Maharaj castled Glenn Phillips for just one.

With New Zealand 64-4 in 6.4 overs, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell came to the fore and rescued their side with a crucial 74-run partnership off 44 balls.

The pair soaked up the pressure and took the score to 138 runs in 14 overs before New Zealand again lost their way with late South Africa strikes.

They lost three wickets in quick time as James Neesham played a little cameo off 23 from 15, with the aid of three fours, to take them to a respectable total.

Daryl Mitchell scored 32 off 24, striking a six and two fours, whereas Chapman top-scored with 48 from 26 balls. His knock featured two sixes and six boundaries.

For South Africa, Marco Jansen took 4-40 in four overs while Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi scalped one apiece.

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Confident Markram banks on Test success for T20 World Cup

South Africa skipper Aiden Markram on Sunday said his team enters the T20 World Cup with confidence and self-belief boosted by their World Test Championship triumph last year.

Runners-up in 2024, South Africa begin their campaign in the 20-team tournament against Canada at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday.

The Proteas in June 2025 beat Australia in the World Test Championship final to win their first major International Cricket Council trophy and shrug off their “chokers” tag.

Pace bowler Kagiso Rabada had recently spoken about the change in public perception about South Africa’s presence in global tournaments and Markram said he thinks the same.

“I think KG is a lot more involved in social media. I’m pretty useless on my phone,” Markram told reporters.

“But it does feel that way — the belief, confidence, monkey off the back and all those things play a role in the language and behaviour within the camp.

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“It definitely helps. But having said that, you don’t come here thinking it’s suddenly going to be easy. We still have to be at our best. The WTC trophy definitely gave us belief and confidence within the group.”

South Africa agonisingly lost the 2024 T20 World Cup final to India when needing 30 off the last 30 balls only to fall short by seven runs.

They are clubbed with New Zealand, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates and Canada in Group D.

Markram admits playing an associate nation could be tricky in a format where upsets are inevitable.

“The gap between Associate nations and the other countries has become much smaller,” said Markram.

“In this format, it just takes one or two players having a really good day for an upset to happen. Even at the start of this World Cup, we’ve seen some close games that could have gone either way.”

In Group A on the opening day, Pakistan survived a scare against the Netherlands and defending champions India were reduced to 77-6 before they triumphed over the United States.

READ: T20 World Cup: Theekshana, Hasaranga star as Sri Lanka beat Ireland

U19 World Cup: Sri Lanka stay alive with win over South Africa

BULAWAYO: Viran Chamuditha slammed a brisk century as Sri Lanka secured a comfortable five-wicket win over South Africa in their ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 Super Sixes clash at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Sri Lanka chased down 262 run target in 46 overs, losing five wickets in the process.

After losing their opener Dimantha Mahavithana in the fifth over, Senuja Wekunagoda and Viran Chamuditha made the light work of the chase with a 143 run partnership.

Senuja Wekunagoda made 48 off from 63 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

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Meanwhile, Chamuditha continued on despite losing wickets at the other end. He scored 110 from 94 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and a six.

Eventually, Sri Lanka reached the target in 46 overs.

For South Africa, Corne Botha and Michael Kruiskamp picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa posted 261 for seven in 50 overs.

Jorich Van Schalkwyk starred with the bat, striking 13 fours and two sixes in his 116 from 130 balls.

Adnaan Lagadien remained the other notable contributor with the bat, scoring 46 from 57, including six fours and a maximum.

For Sri Lanka, Vigneshwaran Akash remained the standout bowler, picking up a four wicket haul in his quota of 10 overs. Kavija Gamage also supported him well with two wickets to his name.

READ: Hetmyer 75 powers West Indies to 221 against South Africa

South Africa send T20 World Cup warning with West Indies drubbing

CENTURION: Quinton de Kock slammed a sublime century to power South Africa to a resounding seven-wicket win over the West Indies in the second T20I here at SuperSport Park on Thursday, sending a strong T20 World Cup warning.

South Africa chased down a daunting 222 with ease, losing three wickets in the process with 15 balls to spare.

With this victory, the Proteas sealed the three-match T20I series 2-0 with one match remaining and sent an early warning to the opposition ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Quinton de Kock starred with the bat, scoring a sublime 115 from 49 deliveries. His scintillating knock featured 10 towering sixes and half a dozen fours.

On the contrary, Ryan Rickelton supported him well, remaining unbeaten on 77 from just 36 balls, including three sixes and fours.

After losing skipper Aiden Markram only in the second over, De Kock was joined by Rickelton, both making a mockery of the chase with brisk batting.

The duo put on a show with a 162-run partnership from 72 deliveries, which made the contest a one-sided affair.

For West Indies, Akeal Hosein took two wickets, while Matthew Forde also managed to take one.

Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford’s brisk half-centuries powered West Indies to a mammoth total

Put into bat first, West Indies piled up 221-4 at the end of 20 overs.

After losing Shai Hope (4) in the second over, Shimron Hetmyer joined Brandon King at the crease, forging a 127-run partnership to put their side in a dominant position.

The pair brought the team’s total to 133 in 11.1 overs as both batters took South Africa bowlers to the cleaners.

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Kagiso Rabada provided a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing the form of King, who fell one shy of his half-century. The right-hander hit five fours and three sixes in his knock.

South Africa made a comeback with a few quick wickets, including Hetmyer, who remained the West Indies top-scorer.

The left-hander’s quick-fire 75 from 42 was laced with three sixes and eight fours.

After his departure, Sherfane Rutherford took charge of the innings, smashing four sixes and five fours on his way to 57 from 24 balls.

For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj remained the pick of the bowlers, scalping two wickets while giving away only 22 in his quota of four overs.

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Markram stars as South Africa humble West Indies in T20I series opener

PAARL: Aiden Markram’s 86* from 47 balls and George Linde’s clinical three-wicket haul sealed a commanding nine-wicket victory for South Africa over West Indies in the opening T20I fixture of the three-match series here at the Boland Park.

South Africa chased down 174 run target with ease, losing only one wicket with 13 balls to spare.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius and skipper Aiden Markram made light work of the chase with a 83 run opening stand in 7.5 overs.

Pretorius eye catching 44 from 28 balls featured half a dozen boundaries and a maximum.

After losing a wicket, Markram and Ryan Rickelton guided South Africa in the chase, forging an unbeaten 93* stand that took them over the line.

The skipper struck three sixes and nine fours in his 86 from 47, whereas Ryan Rickelton made 40 off 32 with the help of two sixes and a boundary.

For West Indies, Roston Chase remained the solitary wicket taker.

Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer’s brisk half-century powered West Indies to a strong total

Put into bat first, West Indies racked up 173-7 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

Brandon King and Johnson Charles provided the visitors a rapid start, adding 39 in first 3.5 overs.

However, once Keshav Maharaj was introduced into the attack, things slowed down for West Indies.

The ace left-arm spinner provided South Africa with the first breakthrough, castling Charles for 13. He then followed it up by dismissing Sherfane Rutherford.

Meanwhile, King, who was looking good, also sent back to leave his side in a mess. The right-hander made 27 off 17, striking five fours and a six.

As a result, West Indies were reduced to 50-3 in 5.4 overs.

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After a vivid start from South Africa bowlers, they held back the West Indies batters till the halfway stage of the game.

At one stage, West Indies were 95-5 in 11.1 overs before Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell steadied the innings with a 74-run stand.

The pair brought the total to 169 in 19.2 overs, with Hetmyer caught on the boundary rope, thanks to an excellent catch from Dewald Breivis.

The soutpaw tonked three sixes and four boundaries in his 48 from 32 balls.

Meanwhile, Powell remained unbeaten on 29 from 25, striking a six and two fours.

For South Africa, George Linde starred with a three-wicket haul while Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj took a brace.

Playing XIs

South Africa: 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 3 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 Rubin Hermann, 6 Jason Smith, 7 George Linde, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Kwena Maphaka

West Indies: 1 Brandon King, 2 Roston Chase (capt), 3 Johnson Charles (wk), 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Matthew Forde, 10 Jayden Seales, 11 Akeal Hosein

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U19 World Cup: Australia ease past South Africa to stay unbeaten

WINDHOEK: Dominant Australia sealed another win at the U19 World Cup as Charles Lachmund and Steven Hogan starred against South Africa, leading their side to a six wicket win here at the Namibia Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Put into bat first, South Africa were skittled for mere 118 in just 32.1 overs.

The Proteas were put into early trouble as opener Armaan Manack was trapped lbw for duck on the second ball of the first over.

After an early wicket, skipper Muhammed Bulbulia joined hands with Jorich Van Schalkwyk and added 27 for the second wicket partnership.

The stand was broken in the fifth over as Bulbulia was cleaned after scoring 19. The wicket triggered a mini collapse as both Jason Rowles and Daniel Bosman, were dismissed cheaply.

As a result, South Africa were 37-4 in 10 overs.

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The slide was briefly halted as Paul James and Jorich Van Schalkwyk put on a 30 run partnership. However, a total misunderstanding ended in Van Schalkwyk’s run out. He made 26 from 55 balls with the aid of three fours.

Following his wicket, South Africa innings quickly unraveled as Australia bowlers dominated the proceedings.

Paul James remained the top-scorer for South Africa with 34 to his name with the help of a four and a six.

For Australia, Charles Lachmund led the bowling attack with a three wicket haul to his name.

In reply, Australia reached the target without any major hiccups in 32.5 overs, losing four wickets.

South Africa snared an early wicket in the second over as Will Malajczuk departed for four. Yet, Australia cruised in pursuit with a string of partnerships.

Steven Hogan remained the highest scorer for them as he managed 43 from 73 deliveries, striking five boundaries in the process.

For South Africa, JJ Basson shined with ball as he took three wickets in his quota of 10 overs.

With this win, Australia remained undefeated, winning three out of three games.

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South Africa suffer double blow ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

JOHANNESBURG: In a significant blow, Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira have been ruled out of South Africa T20 World Cup 2026 squad, with Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs named as as replacements.

Both players suffered injuries, with De Zorzi failing to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained during South Africa’s tour of India in December while Ferreira fractured his shoulder during fielding in a SA20 fixture.

Meanwhile, the Proteas are still awaiting on fitness of ace batter David Miller, who has been ruled of the eliminator match between Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings.

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Miller, South Africa’s one of the experience players in T20 side, left the field during Paarl Royals last league stage match with an adductor injury, subseqeuntly ruling him out of T20Is against West Indies.

The left-hander will undergo a fitness test before the departure of South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad. His inclusion in the tournament is subject to his fitness.

For the unversed, the teams could tweak their T20 World Cup squads until 31 January. Following the dateline, the participating teams will require approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committe.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will commence on 7 February across India and Sri Lanka.

South Africa, who remained the runners-up in the 2024 edition, are placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE.

The Proteas will start their campaign against Canada on 9 Feb in Ahmedabad, India.

South Africa Updated T20 World Cup Squad

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje

READ: Bangladesh firm on not playing T20 World Cup after players’ meeting

South Africa, Sri Lanka seal commanding victories in U19 World Cup

WINDHOEK: South Africa and Sri Lanka delivered dominant performances to seal victories over Tanzania and Ireland respectively in their group stage fixtures here at the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 on Monday.

Put into bat first, South Africa racked up a massive 397-5 at the end of their 50 overs.

Skipper Muhammed Bulbulia and Jason Rowles scored commanding centuries, with both batters forging a monumental 201-run stand for the third wicket partnership.

The pair took the score from 93 to 294 in 42.5 overs.

Bulbulia’s innings of 108 from 108 balls was laced with 10 fours and six while Rowles remained unbeaten on 125* from 101 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and five sixes.

For Tanzania, Simba Mbaki picked up two wickets.

In reply, Tanzania could not get going, with the whole team bundled out for only 68 in 32.2 overs. The innings involved two run-outs with one batter absent due to injury.

For South Africa, it was Jason Rowles again with the ball, scalping two wickets. Bayanda Majola also took wickets.

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In the Group A fixture played here at the Namibia Cricket Ground, Sri Lanka crushed Ireland by 106 runs as skipper Vimath Dinsara led from the front with an all-round performance.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka managed to put 267-5 on the board in their 50 overs.

Despite losing three wickets for 59 in 14.2 overs, it was Vimath Dinsara who held the innings together. He strung a couple of partnerships that kept Sri Lanka afloat.

The highlight of Sri Lankan batting was a century stand between Dinsara and Kavija Gamage, which brought the total from 139-4 to 239 in 46 overs.

Dinsara top-scored with 95 from 102 balls, striking half a dozen boundaries and a six.

Gamage fell one short of a half-century, a knock that included six boundaries. Meanwhile, Chamika Heenatigala also chipped in with 51 off 53 balls.

For Ireland, Oliver Riley took two wickets.

In reply, Ireland were bowled out for 161 in 40.1 overs, thanks to Dulnith Sigera’s four-wicket haul.

The Irish batters were in trouble fromthe start, with none of their batters getting going except opener Callum Armstrong, who made 39.

With this win, Sri Lanka registered their second consecutive win of the tournament, having previously defeated Japan in their opening encounter.

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South Africa reveal squad for T20 World Cup 2026

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have named a strong 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas with a set of key players returning to the fold.

The pace attack will be led by Kagiso Rabada, who missed out on the India tour due to an injury. Pacer Anrich Nortje has also been included in the squad, who returned after an injury layoff during the T20Is against India.

Markram, Quinton De Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, and Donovan Ferreira make up a strong batting lineup, whereas Kwena Maphaka, Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Corbin Bosch will also bolster the bowling lineup.

Among the notable absences is Tristan Stubbs, who was left out of the 15. On the contrary, Jason Smith, who has five international caps to his name, is also included in the squad.

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Following the squad announcement, the chair of selectors, Patrick Moroney, shed light on the team.

“We have had to make some big calls, but we feel this group is the strongest and has every chance of succeeding in India and Sri Lanka,” he said in a statement.

“We have assembled a world-class squad with some of the finest and most experienced players in the game, together with some of the best T20 youngsters coming through,” he added.

South Africa, who remained the runners-up in the 2024 edition, are placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Squad:

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje

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Bavuma breaks silence on ‘dwarf, grovel’ remark on India tour

South Africa ODI and Test skipper Temba Bavuma opened up on the recently concluded tour of India, addressing the controversies that happened during the Test series.

Bavuma, in his article on Cricinfo, wrote about the incidents that happened during the series and their memorable 2-0 triumph, marking their first Test series win in India since 2000.

However, the tour was marred by some controversies, starting from the series opener when India players Jasprit Bumrah and the wicket-keeper were caught on stump mic calling Bavuma a ‘dwarf’.

Both players’ chat went viral as they called Bavuma ‘Bauna’ (Dwarf), a term referring to a person of short height.

“I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me. At the end of the day, two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised,” he said.

“When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about, I hadn’t heard it at the time, and I needed to check in with our media manager about it, the skipper revealed.

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Bavuma said that he held grudges and shed light on the ‘Grovel’ remark that stirred controversy during the tour.

“What happens on the field stays on the field, but you don’t forget what is said. You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se,” he continued

“I was put under pressure by the media on that side, asking me to clarify the comments that were made. I thought Shukri was the man best positioned to give context to it all.

The first time I heard about it, it had that unsavoury taste to it, but I think it just reminded me how tough and competitive the Test series was and what it meant to certain individuals within the group,” he said.

The 35-year-old talked about the head coach putting the issue to rest while admitting that he could have used a better phrase to share his thoughts.

“Shukri spoke after the ODI series and put that issue to bed. In hindsight, he said he could have chosen a better word, and I agree with him,” he concluded.

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