ICC World Cup 2019: Match 25, New Zealand vs South Africa – Williamson’s ton, New Zealand’s streaks and Stats

New Zealand has more or less confirmed their spot in the semi-final with a 4-wicket win against South Africa who has lost four of their six matches. This defeat nearly puts an end to the Proteas chances of finishing in the final four and once again it was the Kiwis who defeated them in 2011 and 2015 knockouts. Skipper Kane Williamson’s unbeaten century was well backed by Colin de Grandhomme’s all-round efforts. As a result, the Blackcaps cruised to their 4th win of the tournament by chasing down 242 in the final over.

All the statistical highlights from New Zealand’s tense win against South Africa at Edgbaston:

New Zealand’s dominance over Proteas:

5 – This is New Zealand’s 5th consecutive World Cup win against South Africa. The Kiwis got the better of Saffers in the previous four editions. South Africa last defeated the Blackcaps in a CWC game was back in 1999 also in Birmingham. It was the only time these two teams faced off in an ODI in England. New Zealand levelled the head to head record with this win.

1983 – This was New Zealand’s first ODI win in Birmingham since the 1983 World Cup. In the last 25 years, they played seven ODIs at this venue losing in three of them while another four ended without a result.

10 – New Zealand recorded their 10th consecutive win while chasing in the World Cups; the 2nd longest streak for any side. The best streak is 19 by Australia which was ended by India earlier in the tournament.

Williamson betters Rohit:

17 – Kane Williamson became the fastest to 1000 ODI runs in England as he needed only 17 innings. He thus bettered Rohit Sharma who completed the milestone in 18 innings on Sunday. Rohit himself broke the record set by Shikhar Dhawan in 19 innings a week before his achievement.

Perfect time for a maiden CWC ton:

5 – Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 106 in this game is his maiden World Cup ton. He is also only the 5th captain to score a century in a successful World Cup chase. Glenn Turner, Steve Waugh, Sourav Ganguly and Stephen Fleming (Twice) are the other four skippers with a century in a successful CWC chase.

Williamson sets an NZ record:

67 – Williamson became the 21st player and the 2nd from New Zealand to score 3000 ODI runs as captain. Williamson raised this milestone in 67 innings; the 3rd fastest among all the 21 players. Virat Kohli needed only 49 innings while AB de Villiers got there in 60 innings.

Amla only next to Kohli:

176 – Innings Hashim Amla needed to score 8000 runs in ODI cricket; the 2nd fastest player to reach the milestone. India’s Virat Kohli is the fastest as he scored his 8000th ODI run in 175th innings. Amla needed 90 runs in a maximum of four innings prior to this World Cup to level with Kohli but could only score 66 runs.

Guptill records a rare dismissal:

1 – Martin Guptill became the first New Zealand player to be dismissed hit wicket in the World Cup. Overall, he is the 9th player to be dismissed hit wicket in CWC and the first in this edition.

Overall, Guptill is the 6th player to be dismissed hit wicket in an ODI for New Zealand the first since Luke Ronchi in 2014 Hamilton ODI against Windies.

Top order cleaned up:

5 – Each of South Africa’s top three batsmen were dismissed bowled by the New Zealand bowlers in this game. This is the 5th time a team’s top three got bowled in a World Cup game. This is also the 5th such instance in ODIs for South Africa but the first in a World Cup match.