India will face New Zealand in Champions Trophy final after Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson put South Africa to the sword
Share and Follow

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

New Zealand will meet India in Sunday’s Champions Trophy final in Dubai after centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson set up a 50-run hammering of South Africa in Lahore.

The pair put on 164 for the second wicket as the New Zealanders smashed 362 for six, before half-centuries from Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen took the South African chase to 125 for one. 

But both fell to the nagging left-arm spin of Mitchell Santner, and after that only David Miller – with a superb 67-ball hundred – made any headway against New Zealand’s quartet of slow bowlers.

The final will be India’s fifth game in a row at Dubai International Stadium following their refusal to play in Pakistan, but their coach Gautam Gambhir angrily denied his side had enjoyed an ‘undue advantage’.

He added: ‘We haven’t practised here even for one day. We’re practising at the ICC Academy. 

‘And the conditions here and there are 180 degrees different. Some people are just perpetual cribbers, man. They’ve got to grow up.’

Rachin Ravindra (left) and Kane Williamson steered New Zealand to victory on Wednesday

Rachin Ravindra (left) and Kane Williamson steered New Zealand to victory on Wednesday

Temba Bavuma's South Africa side fell to a 50-run defeat by New Zealand in the semi-finals

Temba Bavuma’s South Africa side fell to a 50-run defeat by New Zealand in the semi-finals

Virat Kohli and India have only played in Dubai despite the tournament being held in Pakistan

Virat Kohli and India have only played in Dubai despite the tournament being held in Pakistan

Having already flown once during the tournament from Pakistan to Dubai for their group game against India, New Zealand must now make the trip again. 

Other than India, no other team in the tournament has played there more than once.

The result means New Zealand will have the chance to win their first global white-ball tournament since winning the ICC Knockout – the forerunner to the Champions Trophy – in Kenya in October 2000.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
NSW protests

Neo-Nazi Protest Unfolds Outside NSW Parliament, Leaving Police Commission Uninformed

Neo-Nazis have used NSW state parliament as their stage today to launch…

Global Leaders Rally for Decisive Action at Crucial COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil

A decade ago, world leaders signed the Paris Climate Agreement to limit…
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo plane is being grounded in the USA. Pictured here is a UPS plane at Louisville Airport, Kentucky

Shocking US Plane Crash Grounds Major Cargo Fleet: What You Need to Know

Federal aviation officials have issued an order for McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes…

Philippines Braces for Typhoon Fung-wong Following Kalmaegi’s Devastating Toll of 204 Lives

The Philippines’ weather bureau has warned of life-threatening storm surges of up…
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The key lesson Fiji taught England ahead of their tough All Blacks test - and why Steve Borthwick should switch up his backline after a missed opportunity

Unlocking Success: How Fiji’s Lessons Can Transform England’s Strategy Against the All Blacks

England’s rugby team is on a remarkable streak, having secured victory in…
Bread tags set to be hit by NSW plastics ban.

NSW Set to Ban Everyday Plastic Products Starting Next Year

Plastic bread ties will be phased out and helium balloon releases will…

Israel Confirms Identity of Hostage Remains: Families Anxiously Await News on Five More Missing

Israel has identified the latest hostage remains sent back from Gaza by…
Police crash North St Marys

Three Injured in Head-On Collision Involving Law Enforcement Vehicle

Three people, including two police officers, have been injured in a car…