(Credit X)
AB de Villiers remarked that South Africa hasn’t reached their peak despite Aiden Markram’s team securing a spot in the T20 WC 2024 semi-finals.
Earlier today, Marco Jansen clinched South Africa’s semi-final berth with a winning six against West Indies. This decisive match marked the final Super 8 encounter for both teams in the USA and Caribbean leg of the tournament. Victory would have guaranteed either team a semi-final spot in the upcoming week’s competition.
South Africa and England have secured their spots in the semi-finals. Today, India and Australia will determine one of their opponents in Group 1’s second-last Super 8 match. Tomorrow, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will play their final Super 8 match, finalizing the semi-finalists.
If India wins today in St. Lucia, they will face England, setting up a rematch of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final in Adelaide. However, if Australia wins and Afghanistan also triumphs in their last Super 8 match, India’s chances could hinge on net run-rate to avoid elimination.
Earlier today at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium, Aiden Markram’s Proteas led to the elimination of co-hosts West Indies in a closely contested match. The game came down to the wire in the second innings, with South Africa clinching victory after losing 7 wickets while chasing a revised target of 123 runs.
Opening batsmen Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks managed only 12 runs together, while Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen contributed 18, 29, and 22 runs respectively. Marco Jansen’s crucial 21 off 14 balls, which included the match-winning six, sealed South Africa’s victory.
AB de Villiers voiced his concerns on X (formerly Twitter) today regarding South Africa’s performance despite their semi-final qualification in the T20 World Cup. The former Proteas captain suggested that Aiden Markram’s team has yet to showcase their optimal cricketing prowess and believes they are still finding their rhythm.
However, de Villiers acknowledged that reaching the semi-finals without hitting their peak form is a significant achievement for South Africa. He remains optimistic that the team is on the verge of unleashing their full potential soon.
AB de Villiers wrote on X: “Still feel their best Cricket is yet to come. Haven’t really zoned yet. Nice to qualify for a semi final without playing at your best. Looks like they’re close.”
