Cricket

USA vs SA Live Score: South Africa's Bowling Strength and Batting ConcernsAs the 2024 T20 World Cup enters the Super Eight stage, the spotlight falls on the highly anticipated clash between South Africa and the United States. South Africa, a formidable force in the tournament, will be looking to maintain their unbeaten streak, while the USA will be eager to prove their mettle against a world-class opponent.South Africa's bowling attack has been their cornerstone throughout the group stage. Star pacer Anrich Nortje has rediscovered his form, emerging as the joint second leading wicket-taker with nine scalps. Alongside Nortje, Ottneil Baartman has formed a potent partnership, while Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada remain threats to any batting lineup.However, South Africa's batting has been a cause for concern. Despite boasting big hitters like Quinton de Kock, Henriech Klassen, Tristan Stubbs, and David Miller, the Proteas have struggled to cross the 120-run mark in their four group matches. The top order, comprising De Kock, Reeze Hendricks, and captain Aiden Markram, will be under pressure to deliver against the USA.The USA, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their spirited performances in the group stage. They have shown resilience and determination, and will be looking to upset the odds against South Africa. Their bowling attack, led by Nisarg Patel and Saurabh Netravalkar, has the potential to trouble the Proteas' batters.With both teams eager to make a statement in the Super Eight, the match promises to be a thrilling contest. South Africa will be keen to start their campaign on a winning note, while the USA will be determined to prove that they belong among the world's best.

South Africa vs Nepal: Spinners to Play a Role in Kingstown Clash?The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 continues with a fascinating encounter between South Africa and Nepal in Kingstown, St. Vincent. This match marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations on the international circuit.South Africa, who have advanced to the Super Eight, are in impressive form, having won all three of their matches so far. Their fast bowlers, particularly Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman, have been exceptional. However, the role of spinners in this match remains uncertain.Nepal, on the other hand, have yet to win a match but have shown glimpses of promise. Their supporters have been a vocal presence, cheering them on in their opening game against Netherlands. However, their batting has struggled under pressure, which could be a concern against South Africa's formidable bowling attack.The addition of Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal's best-known player, for the West Indian leg of the tournament could bolster their spin bowling options. Lamichhane, who was acquitted of rape charges earlier this year, is a match-winner and could make a significant impact.South Africa's top-order batters have been underperforming, with Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Aiden Markram collectively scoring just 61 runs. They will be eager to improve their performance in Kingstown.The pitch in Kingstown is expected to be conducive for run-scoring, with 58-metre boundaries on one side. The weather forecast predicts humidity, sunshine, and slight wind.

South Africa Aim to Extend Dominance Over Bangladesh in T20 World Cup ClashSouth Africa will look to consolidate their position atop Group D when they face Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2024 in New York. Despite their shaky top orders, both teams have reasons to be optimistic.South Africa boasts an unblemished record against Bangladesh in T20Is and familiarity with the New York venue. However, their top-order batters, including Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock, and Aiden Markram, have struggled for runs.Bangladesh, on the other hand, can rely on their bowling attack, which impressed in their victory over Sri Lanka. However, their top-order batting remains a concern, with Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto prone to soft dismissals.Both teams will be looking to their star bowlers to make the difference. Anrich Nortje has been in excellent form for South Africa, while Rishad Hossain's legspin was instrumental in Bangladesh's win over Sri Lanka.Key Players to Watch:* Towhid Hridoy (Bangladesh): The big-hitting all-rounder has emerged as a key player for Bangladesh, with his ability to clear the boundary with ease.* Anrich Nortje (South Africa): The fast bowler is returning to his best after a long injury layoff and has been a potent threat with his pace and bounce.Team News:Bangladesh may include Shoriful Islam if he is fit, while South Africa is unlikely to make any changes to their winning combination.Pitch and Conditions:The New York pitch is expected to favor fast bowlers, with low to middling totals likely.Stats to Note:* South Africa's 3 for 3 against Netherlands was their lowest score for the loss of three wickets in a T20I.* Bangladesh's win over Sri Lanka was their first victory against a higher-ranked side at the T20 World Cup since 2007.

Anrich Nortje, who bowled South Africa to victory in a crucial World Cup match in New York, believes the low-scoring game was still entertaining despite criticism of the pitch and outfield.Nortje, who took career-best T20I figures of 4-10, said he thought the game was "great" and that the entertainment was there."It doesn't always mean, correct me if I'm wrong, there needs to be 20 sixes in a game to make it entertaining," Nortje said. "There's still a lot of strategy that goes into the game. There's a lot of skill that goes into the game, whether it's sixes or fast bowlers or spinners, however it might be. So, I thought the game was a brilliant game. It was still a close game at the end of the day, another wicket or two, and things might have been different. We might have been in a little bit more trouble."Nortje's comments come after Sri Lanka managed to make just 77 runs in their innings, with South Africa also struggling to chase down the target. The pitch was criticized for being uneven and the outfield for being slow, making scoring difficult.However, Nortje said he didn't think there was anything wrong with the pitches."I don't think there's anything wrong with the wickets," he said. "It's [allowed to be] nice for bowlers as well. We are also allowed to get some sort of assistance. It's different to what guys have been used to for the last few months or years. There's a little bit more in the wicket for the bowlers and I don't see anything wrong with that."Nortje's teammate Heinrich Klaasen agreed that the game was entertaining, but said he didn't think the pitch was ideal for T20 cricket."I don't think it's ideal for T20 cricket, but it's still a good entertaining game," Klaasen said. "Nevertheless our bowlers bowled extremely well. The margin for error for the bowlers is also not as big as you think. It's not easy for the batters. It took like almost a mixture of Test cricket, one-day, batting-wise to get over the line. Luckily we didn't chase 120. That would've been very interesting."Despite the criticism of the pitch, both Nortje and Klaasen were happy with the atmosphere in New York."I said to the coach the DJ was on point, there was no interruptions from his side and the crowd was fantastic," Klaasen said. "You can see the people are excited for the competition."

South Africa's pace attack wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka's batting lineup, dismissing them for a paltry 77 in the T20 World Cup match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The Proteas' bowlers exploited the bounce on offer to dismantle the Lankan innings in just 19.1 overs.Pacer Anrich Nortje led the charge with a career-best 4/7, including a wicket off his first over. Kagiso Rabada chipped in with 2/21, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj also impressed with 2/22.Sri Lanka's decision to bat first backfired spectacularly as they struggled to time the ball on the drop-in pitch. Pathum Nissanka (3) was dismissed early by Ottneil Baartman, who made a remarkable debut with figures of 1/9.Nortje's pace and accuracy proved too much for Kusal Mendis, who mistimed a pull to make it 31/2. Maharaj then struck twice in successive deliveries, dismissing skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama.Angelo Mathews looked most comfortable for Sri Lanka, scoring 16 off 16 balls before Nortje dismissed him. The Lankan innings ended with Nuwan Thushara's run-out.South Africa's bowlers dominated the match from start to finish, showcasing their skill and precision. The Proteas will be confident heading into their remaining Group A matches, while Sri Lanka will need to regroup and find a way to improve their batting performance.

Anrich Nortje's return to form is imminent, according to South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter. Despite underwhelming figures since his comeback from a six-month injury layoff, Walter remains confident in the fast bowler's abilities.Nortje's absence from September 2023 to March 2024, which included the ODI World Cup and South Africa's home summer, was due to a stress fracture. Since his return, he has played 11 T20 matches, claiming nine wickets at an economy rate of 11.22.Walter acknowledges the challenging conditions Nortje has faced, including facing a formidable West Indies side. He believes that these experiences will ultimately benefit the bowler. "He's not very far away," Walter said. "A world-class performer finds a way."Nortje's selection for the T20 World Cup squad over Lungi Ngidi, who has impressed in recent matches, was based on his raw pace. Walter emphasizes that Nortje's primary role is to "strike, break the game open, and then close it up."South Africa will also rely on Ottneil Baartman for slower-ball variations. Baartman, who made his debut against West Indies, has shown promise and is expected to play a significant role.Tabraiz Shamsi, who missed the West Indies series due to injury, has returned to training. However, South Africa's official warm-up match has been canceled due to logistical reasons.Despite the lack of a warm-up game, Walter believes that the team has had sufficient match practice. Three South Africans participated in the IPL final, while another was part of the Eliminator. South Africa will now focus on intra-squad scenario training before their first match against Sri Lanka on June 3.

South Africa has unveiled its 15-man squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking the long-awaited return of pace spearhead Anrich Nortje after a nine-month absence. Nortje, who has been impressing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will bolster a bowling attack that also includes Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, and Ottniel Baartman.Baartman, a standout performer in the inaugural SA20, has earned his maiden T20I call-up along with opening batter Ryan Rickelton. Rickelton, the leading run-scorer in the SA20, is expected to partner Quinton de Kock at the top of the order.The squad features a strong middle order of Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs. Left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin, along with wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, provide the spin options.Allrounder Marco Jansen is the lone allrounder in the squad, with Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder missing out. Faf du Plessis, who was expected to make an international comeback, has been overlooked, while Rassie van der Dussen and Matthew Breetzke have also been left out.Van der Dussen and Breetzke will, however, join a second-string South African side for a three-match T20I series against West Indies ahead of the World Cup. That squad also includes uncapped legspinner Nqaba Peter.The T20 World Cup is likely to be de Kock's final international appearance after he retired from ODI cricket last year. South Africa will be hoping to make a strong impact in the tournament, having reached the semi-finals in the previous edition.

Delhi Capitals' bowling coach James Hopes has expressed confidence in the team's pace spearhead Anrich Nortje, despite his recent struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Nortje, who made his comeback to competitive cricket after six months, was taken to the cleaners by Rajasthan Royals' Riyan Parag at the death, conceding 48 runs in his four overs.Hopes acknowledged the challenges Nortje faced, having been out of action since September and playing only three domestic T20 games before the IPL. However, he emphasized Nortje's status as one of the premier death bowlers in the game and expressed trust in his ability to improve."It's the first time that Nortje has been at this level in a while. He had a fair time out of the game, but if you look at all the numbers, he is one of the premier death bowlers in the game. We trust that he is going to keep getting better," Hopes said.Hopes also identified areas for improvement in the team's batting, which fell apart in the back-10 after a positive start. He highlighted the need to tidy up the middle-over batting, with the return of Rishabh Pant expected to provide a significant boost."We need to tidy up our middle over batting too. We tend to get stuck a little bit in phases there. We know the fix for that is Rishabh Pant," Hopes said. "He has played two games after a long lay-off and I think you're going to see some pretty special things from him in the next few weeks."Delhi Capitals will face Chennai Super Kings in their next game on Sunday, hoping to address the issues identified by Hopes and secure their first win of the IPL season.

South African speedster Anrich Nortje has joined the Delhi Capitals (DC) squad for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Nortje's arrival comes after DC's disappointing 4-wicket loss to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their tournament opener.Nortje, known for his express pace and ability to generate steep bounce, is expected to bolster DC's bowling attack. The 30-year-old has been in impressive form for South Africa, claiming 10 wickets in his last five T20I appearances.In DC's first match against PBKS, the team struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 174/9 in 20 overs. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh provided a solid start, but the middle order failed to capitalize. Abhishek Porel's late cameo helped DC reach a respectable score.In response, PBKS chased down the target with relative ease, thanks to a 67-run partnership between Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone. Curran was named 'Player of the Match' for his match-winning knock of 63 runs.Nortje's addition to the DC squad is a significant boost for the team. His pace and accuracy will provide much-needed support to the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Khaleel Ahmed. DC will be hoping that Nortje can help them turn their fortunes around and secure their first win of the season.