We were thinking 300, and then Kane started to accelerate – Ravindra

New Zealand Clinch Champions Trophy Final Spot with Thrashing of South Africa

Key Highlights:

• Ravindra's Stellar Performance:

  • Scored a century in the ICC Champions Trophy, marking his fifth ODI ton, all in ICC tournaments.
  • Partnered with Kane Williamson for a crucial 164-run stand.

• Kane Williamson's Impact:

  • Notched up a century, accelerating late to push the total beyond 360.
  • His partnership with Ravindra was pivotal in setting a formidable target.

• New Zealand's Record Total:

  • The team surpassed the 360-run mark, setting a new Champions Trophy record.
  • The innings was built on strong partnerships and aggressive late-order hitting.

• Mitchell Santner's Leadership:

  • Praise for the Ravindra-Williamson partnership as the backbone of the innings.
  • Highlighted the importance of the middle-order acceleration and the finishing by Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell.

• South Africa's Struggles:

  • Struggled to chase the massive target, losing key wickets in the middle overs.
  • Despite a strong start, the batting collapsed under pressure.

• Bowling Brilliance:

  • Mitchell Santner took 3/43, including key wickets of Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen.
  • Michael Bracewell also impressed with his performance.

• Final Verdict:

  • New Zealand's all-round dominance secured their place in the final.
  • The match showcased their batting depth and bowling consistency.

Quotes:

• Ravindra:
  "It was nice to have the guys out there to help me. We were thinking around the 300-run mark, but Kane accelerated beautifully."

• Mitchell Santner:
  "Rachin and Williamson set the stage, and the guys finishing it put the icing on the cake."

• Temba Bavuma:
  "362 was probably too much for us. We needed to be more decisive in key moments."

Key Stats:

• New Zealand: 360/7 (50 overs)
• South Africa: 310/8 (49.5 overs)
• Top Scorers:
  • Ravindra: 129 runs
  • Kane Williamson: 113 runs
  • Mitchell Santner: 3/43
  • Michael Bracewell: 2/47

Next Up:

• New Zealand will face the winner of the other semi-final in the Champions Trophy final.
• The team's batting depth and bowling consistency will be key as they aim for the title.

This cleaned-up version removes fluff, focuses on key details, and presents the information in a structured, easy-to-read format for the cricket news writer.