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IMAGES from the Group 2 Super 8 match, played between South Africa and USA, in North Sound, Antigua, on Wednesday.
Resilient Andries Gous led a sensational fightback for USA but South Africa's experienced professionals pulled off an 18-run victory in their Group 2 Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup, in North Sound, Antigua, on Wednesday.
South Africa-born Gous led a stunning fightback for USA with a 47-ball 80 not out studded with five sixes and as many fours to keep his side alive in the contest right until the final over, but the Proteas had the final laugh as they opened their account with two points in kitty.
Chasing 195 even on a batting-friendly deck at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was going to be a monumental task for USA against South Africa's bowling attack, but the Associate nation showed incredible gumption in finishing with 176 for six in reply.
The South African-born Gous waged a lone battle of sorts for the majority of USA's reply, putting on an incredible 91-run stand for the sixth wicket with Harmeet Singh (38, 22 balls, 2x4s, 3x6s)m, but South Africa had just too many on the board.
Even though Steven Taylor (24 off 14 balls, 4x4s, 1x6s) set the tone early for the USA at the top, others like Nitish Kumar (8), skipper Aaron Jones (0), Corey Anderson (12) and Shayan Jahangir (3) flopped with the bat which almost shut the doors on their side.
Reduced to 76/5 in the 12th over with another 119 runs to win, USA appeared down and out.
But Gous, who has played U-19s for South Africa, and colts World Cup winner Harmeet, went on a carnage of sorts to take their side as close as possible. He swung his bat at will and found gaps with precision as South African bowlers, who had almost set up a comfortable win, were scurrying for cover.
In tow, the left-handed Harmeet also dealt a few lusty blows, especially against Tabraiz Shamsi towards the end, to keep USA in the hunt even if the asking rate hovered around 15 runs per over.
But at the end, it was Kagiso Rabada's (4-0-18-3) brilliance which ensured Proteas' win after he broke their stubborn partnership and allowed a mere two runs in the penultimate over.
USA's resistance also ate into a significant chunk of South Africa's margin of win which would have been far bigger had the two not added 91 for the sixth wicket.
Quinton de Kock's quickfire 40-ball-74 provided the impetus as South Africa set USA a daunting 195-run target, in their Group 2 match of the Super Eight stage in the T20 World Cup in North Sound, Antigua, on Wednesday.
On a pitch expected to be slow and spin-friendly, De Kock defied the odds to put the USA bowlers to the sword while bringing up his maiden fifty in the tournament, while South Africa put on 194 for four in 20 overs.
De Kock's fireworks at the top and skipper Aiden Markram's fluent 46 also helped South Africa banish their top-order woes after the frontline batters had flopped collectively in the group stage.
Towards the end, Heinrich Klaasen (36 not out) and Tristan Stubbs (20 not out) added 53 runs unbeaten for the fifth wicket in just five overs.
De Kock led South Africa's charge following a meek start which saw Reeza Hendricks (11) being Saurabh Netravalkar's (2/21) latest victim in the Powerplay, putting on 110 runs from a mere 60 balls for the second wicket with Markram.
After the right-handed Hendricks mishit a slower one to be caught by Corey Anderson, De Kock took the attack to the opposition and blazed his way to a stunning fifty.
De Kock tore into Jasdeep Singh (0/36) hitting the USA bowler for 28 runs in his first over, with as many as three sixes and two fours to set the tone in the South African team's favour.
USA introduced spin in the next over but De Kock continued with his charge, hitting left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige for a couple of fours as South Africa finished the powerplay at 64 for 1.
De Kock cashed in every time the USA bowlers erred in length, bringing up his fifty off 26 balls when Harmeet overstepped in the ninth over.
The left-handed batter was also severe on the burly Anderson who was wayward in the 12th over, smacking him for 17 runs comprising two fours and a six to set himself up for a big total.
De Kock, however, failed to get the elevation when Harmeet gifted him with a full toss in the 12th over and Shayan Jahangir took a sharp catch near the ropes at deep midwicket to bring an end to his assault.
Off the next ball, Harmeet plucked his second consecutive wicket as he took a sharp catch to dismiss David Miller.
Having struck twice, USA brought back Netravalkar and the left-armer did not disappoint, bringing an end to Markram's innings. Ali Khan took a sharp diving catch in front to deny the Protea skipper a fifty, who walked back for 32-ball 46 with four fours and a six.