'Shouldn't Have Allowed Them To Go Past 200': Temba Bavuma Calls Out Lacklustre Fielding As Reason For Defeat Against Dutch

After suffering a 38-run loss to the Netherlands in their ICC Cricket World Cup match on Tuesday, South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, expressed his disappointment, stating that his team should not have allowed the Dutch to surpass 200 runs and that they could have managed extra runs more effectively.

The Netherlands secured the victory with the help of a strong performance by Logan van Beek, who took three crucial wickets, a half-century by their captain, Scott Edwards, and an all-round contribution from Roelof van der Merwe. This defeat came just two days after Afghanistan caused a major upset by defeating England. In their loss to the Netherlands, South Africa's bowlers gave away 32 runs in extras during the Dutch innings, which ultimately made a significant difference in the outcome of the match.

"From 112 for 6, shouldn't have allowed them to go past 200. We dropped the ball there but were still confident with the chase. But they were able to extract some deficiencies in our batting. We were clinical against Australia. We could have controlled the extras. The fielding was not up to the standard. It is not the same standard we had against Australia. We need to have some conversations with the boys. You have to let the emotion seep in. It will hurt. Our campaign is not over by any stretch of imagination. That was a proper display from them. They put us under pressure throughout. Good luck to them," said Bavuma in a post-match presentation.

Coming to the match, South Africa put Netherlands to bat first, reducing them to 112/6. But knocks from Edwards and his quickfire partnerships with Roelef van der Merwe (29 in 19 balls with three fours and a six) and Aryan Dutt (23 in nine balls with three sixes) helped Netherlands reach a total of 245/8 in 43 overs. The match was cut to 43 overs per side due to rain.

Marco Jansen (2/28), Kagiso Rabada (2/56) and Lungi Ngidi (2/56) were the main strikers in South African bowling. Gerald Coetzee and Keshav Maharaj got a wicket each.

In the chase of 246, Proteas lost wickets at regular intervals. Despite fighting knocks from David Miller (43 in 52 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Keshav Maharaj (40 in 37 balls with five fours and a six), Heinrich Klaasen (28) and Gerald Coetzee (22) in the middle/lower order, SA was bundled out for 207 in 42.5 overs.

Logan Van Beek (3/60) was the pick of the bowlers for the Netherlands. Roelef van der Merwe, Bas De Leede and Paul Van Meekeran also took two wickets. Colin Ackermann got one wicket.

South Africa is now in the third spot with two wins and a loss and four points. The Netherlands are ninth with a win, and two losses.

 

Inputs from ANI