Rassie van der Dussen’s 94 not-out sees South Africa inflict England’s first T20 World Cup defeat

Rassie van der Dussen’s 94 and not out helped South Africa inflict a first defeat of the T20 World Cup on England but was not enough to see the Proteas through to the semi-finals of the competition.

The 32-year-old displayed a wide range of unorthodox and traditional strokes to register the highest-ever individual score in a men’s T20 World Cup from a South African player as he pushed his side to a respectable total of 189-2.

Aiden Markram (52*) rounded off his impressive tournament to post a partnership worth 103 runs alongside van der Dussen and bludgeoned four maximums and two fours off only 25 deliveries.

Ultimately though, qualification for Temba Bavuma’s side was always unlikely after Australia’s eight-wicket triumph against the West Indies earlier on in the day. Nonetheless, there are encouraging signs that South African cricket is once again progressing after a number of hurdles both on and off the pitch.

Despite being a relative latecomer to international cricket, van der Dussen will continue to play his part and once again prove his ability on the biggest stage. Eoin Morgan was so keen to remove him, the England skipper used both DRS appeals, but to no avail.

A wayward bowling performance that saw both Chris Woakes and Mark Wood finish with economies over 10 was not great viewing for Morgan, but the biggest worry of all will be the injury that forced Jason Roy to retire hurt.

Roy, who missed a portion of the 2019 World Cup, limped off with what looked like a calf strain. Whilst the severity will be discovered in the coming days, his absence will prove to be a hefty blow if their worst fears are realised.

England once again gave a good account of themselves with the bat in hand, Moeen Ali (37), Dawid Malan (33) and Liam Livingstone (28) pushed their side close to victory.

Although, once Morgan (17) was caught at deep backwards-square, any hopes of a 100% Super 12’s record had diminished.

In one final moment of joy for South Africa, Kagiso Rabada claimed a hat-trick with the wickets of Woakes (7), Morgan and Chris Jordan (0).

In a rematch of that famous Lord’s final just two years ago, New Zealand are the opponents England will be looking defeat in the semi-finals if they are to become the first team in history to hold both 50-over and 20-over world titles simultaneously.

The winner of that game will face either Pakistan or Australia in the final.

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