In Dharamshala, the Netherlands upset South Africa with a stunning 38-run victory.
South Africa was eliminated from the T20 World Cup by the Netherlands’ unexpected victory in Adelaide last year, but this victory—their first in ODI cricket against a big Test nation—was an even more amazing accomplishment.
England, who have lost two of their first three games and take on the Proteas on Saturday, received a significant boost as South Africa blew several opportunities in the encounter where they looked to be winning.
Even though the Netherlands defeated the West Indies to get into the tournament, this was only their third-ever World Cup victory, so it had to go down as their best victory in team history. The Netherlands did not make it into the last two tournaments, and the previous two were against Namibia in 2003 and Scotland four years later.
With victories over Australia and Sri Lanka, this South African team had given the tournament a worrying start and also had the Dutch under control. After being invited to bat first by South Africa in a match that was cut to 43 overs apiece due to rain, they were 50 for 4 and then 112 for 6, but captain Scott Edwards saved them from number seven.
In addition to his unbroken 78 from 69 balls, the Netherlands amassed a respectable 245 for eight thanks to significant cameos from Aryan Dutt (23 not out off nine) and Roelof van der Merwe (29 from 19).
Despite their strong starts, Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and Rassie van der Dussen all left the game in the span of 21 deliveries, including de Kock, who scored hundreds of runs in the victories over Australia and Sri Lanka.
36 for no loss turned into 44 for four when David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen put on a run-a-ball 45 to right the ship. But with Klaasen gone, Miller became South Africa’s only hope.
South Africa was all out for 207 as Bas de Leede, who fumbled a catch to rescue Miller, made up for it by dismissing Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada. Van Beek then trapped Keshav Maharaj in the final over, as the Dutch celebrated their first ODI World Cup victory since 2007.
Extra coverage is provided by PA Sport.
