 South Africa keep semi-final hopes alive by beating New Zealand
19th Sep 2007 23:03 IST
Agencies
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 World Cup at Kingsmead in Durban today.
Chasing 154 to win, the hosts cruised to 158/4 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.
South Africa lost couple of early wickets to slump to 17/2 and was reduced to 45/3 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.
Kemp, however, was hardly perturbed as he went hard after the Kiwi bowlers, with Jacob Oram bearing the brunt of his fury.
Needing two for the win, Kemp hoicked Gillespie over long-on to seal the match in his team's favour and was adjudged Man of the Match for his rollicking knock.
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