Allen Finnishes off South Africa: Opener’s 33-ball ton sends New Zealand into final

KOLKATA: In one of the most one-sided matches in the T20 World Cup, New Zealand thrashed South Africa by nine wickets in the semifinal at the Eden Gardens here to make their second final.

After the NZ spinners cast a spell to restrict South Africa to 169 for eight, their openers made a mockery of the SA attack to reach 173/1 in just 12.5 overs.SA bowlers were found running for cover as NZ openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen tore them apart getting 117 runs by the 10th over.

Both the players seemed to enjoy playing at a venue which will be their ‘home’ in a few days from now when they will join their new side Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming IPL.

Although Seifert departed for 58 (33b, 4x7, 2x6), Allen got the fastest 100 in the World Cup with a six off just 33 balls.The opener got his first 50 in 19 balls and improved upon that by adding the next 50 in just 14 balls to seal the deal. Rachin Ravindra, another KKR batter, stayed unbeaten on 13 after doing the damage with the ball picking up two for 29.The strong South Africa batting line-up struggled to get going, tumbling to 77 for five in the first 11 overs after New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner decided to bowl after winning the toss.

Santner’s masterstroke in bringing Cole McConchie in the second over of the match proved fruitful as the off-spinner picked up left-handed Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton off consecutive deliveries.The 34-year-old McConchie, who was added to the New Zealand squad as a travelling reserve after an injury to Michael Bracewell, had de Kock caught by Lockie Ferguson inside the circle and then accounted for Rickelton, caught by Allen at backward point.Things could have been worse for SA had Rachin Ravindra not dropped an easy catch of skipper Aiden Markram, then on 3, at midwicket off Lockie Ferguson in the fourth over.However, Ravindra, introduced as the sixth bowler in the eighth over of the match, made amends by having Markram caught by Daryl Mitchell inches above the ground at long-on.SA might have hoped for a change in fortunes when Glenn Phillips dropped David Miller on two at deep extra cover after positioning himself perfectly covering a good amount of ground.

But Rachin had his man four balls later, this time Mitchell taking a skier easily at long-off.While McConchie ended with two wickets in his only over, Rachin claimed two for 29 in his four overs.Jansen shinesMarco Jansen came good with the bat, stitching together a 73-run sixth wicket stand with Tristan Stubbs. The two did not hesitate to play some big shots as SA reached 100 losing five wickets in the 14th over, their slowest in this tournament.Ferguson, coming back for his second spell, finally got the breakthrough by having Stubbs bowled with a beautiful slower one. But Jansen counter-attacked hitting Ferguson for consecutive sixes to stay undefeated on a brave 55 off just 30 balls with the help of two fours and five sixes.