Sport24.co.za | As it happened: India cruise to victory as Proteas remain winless at CWC
THAT’S A WRAP!
Thank you for joining Sport24’s live coverage of the Proteas v India Cricket World Cup clash. We apologise for the result but what can we do?
Stay tuned to our website, as Sport24’s own Lloyd Burnard is at the Rose Bowl and will be giving you ALL the reaction from this match. What will the repercussions be for the Proteas now? Who’s to blame for this dismal start?
The next Proteas match will take place on Monday, June 10 against the West Indies (11:30 SA time).
Tomorrow’s match sees Australia face the West Indies (11:30 SA time)
FAF AFTER MATCH:
Faf du Plessis reckons that if Ngidi or Steyn were available, they would’ve bowled first.
Du Plessis reveals that the Proteas camp is “hurting and trying to make sure we keep fighting, but we’re making mistakes all the time”.
ANY POSITIVES FOR THE PROTEAS?
The tail wagged a bit with handy contributions from Chris Morris (42), Andile Phehlukwayo (34) and Kagiso Rabada (31).
From the bowling side, seam was the win today!
Rabada produced best figures of 2 for 39 in his 10 overs (which included a maiden).
Morris, who bowled THREE maidens, ended on 1 for 36 in his 10 with an economy rate of 3.60.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Rohit Sharma for his unbeaten 122 off 144 balls, which included 13 fours and 2 sixes.
WORST SA START
This is South Africa’s worst start in the Cricket World Cup ever after suffering their third consecutive loss for the first time.
Despite the wicket, it was an expensive over from Morris with 10 coming from it.
India are 223/4 after 47 overs.
Chris Morris comes with the breakthrough, Dhoni top edges and the ball goes high up in the air.
Morris calls for it and catches it as he falls to the ground. A small relief for the Proteas.
Dhoni departs for 34 off 46 balls (2 fours).
India are 213/4 in 26.1 overs.
The Proteas need to have a hard look at themselves after this match.
Yes, it was always going to be a stretch beating India, but losing to them in this fashion, it’s just poor, just poor.
44 overs gone, India are 198/3.
Needing just 30 more runs for victory.
And to make matters worse, Rohit Sharma hits the next ball for a boundary…
As a South African, this is so frustrating!
DROPPED!
Rabada comes in hard and Sharma top edges high in the air and to much dismay, David Miller drops a sitter!
Rabada cannot believe it and neither can we!
This is unbelievable!!!!!
Rohit Sharma dropped at 107!
DEFEAT LOOMING
Runs are flowing here at the Rose Bowl for India as the world No 2 ODI side are taking on the South African bowlers.
An expensive over by Shamsi comes to end (16).
India are 193/3 after 43
24 overs gone, India 179/3
Require 49 runs off 48 balls.
With that 100 from Rohit Sharma, he goes past India great Sourav Ganguly as India’s all-time Top century makers.
On the list includes:
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 49 100s
2. Virat Kohli 41 100s
3. Rohit Sharma 23 100s
4. Sourav Ganguly 22 100s
5. Shikhar Dhawan 16 100s
100 for Rohit Sharma!
What a matured knock from the Indian opening batsman. He has gotten to his 23rd century in 128 balls (10 fours and 2 sixes).
He is leading his side to a comfortable victory at the Rose Bowl.
India are 175/3 in 40.4 overs.
Dale Steyn’s replacement, Beuran Hendricks has arrived in England!
Steyn was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a second shoulder injury.
10 more overs left!
India need 58 more runs to win with 7 wickets in hand.
Rassie van der Dussen is reportedly off the field with a groin strain, however, it is precautionary and nothing serious.
Aiden Markram is the substitute fielder.
DID YOU KNOW?
South Africa have NEVER lost three consecutive Cricket World Cup matches.
UNFILLED SEATS?
Former England captain Michael Vaughan bemoaned the number of empty seats at the Cricket World Cup match between India and South Africa.
Thoughts are that the Proteas just need to pick up the crucial wickets of Rohit and Dhoni to put India on the back foot.
But it’s easier said than done…
36 overs gone, India are 154/3
India need 74 to win from 84 balls.
India are 145/3 after 34 overs.
They still require 83 from 96 balls.
LACKLUSTRE FIELDING
The Proteas are missing the mark with their fielding, there is just no urgency.
A mis-communication between MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma sees both batsmen in the middle of the pitch and sub-fielder Aiden Markram slowly retrieves the ball at square leg.
An easy single is given, which is the last thing SA want.
Rabada provides the much-needed breakthrough for the Proteas as Rahul pops the ball straight to mid-off and in the safe hands of the Proteas skipper.
Rahul departs for 26 off 24 balls (2 fours).
India 139/3 in 31.3 overs.
ROHIT ON THE ATTACK!
Rohit Sharma is smashing the South African bowlers to all parts of the ground. The required run-rate is below 5 and India are closing in on their first win of the World Cup.
Rohit 83*, Rahul 26*
India 139/2 from 31 overs
Eight runs coming from Tahir’s over.
India are 123/2 after 29 overs.
Needing 105 runs in 21 overs!