Cricket minnows The Netherlands have caused a sensation at the T20 World Cup, beating tournament contenders South Africa by 13 runs in Adelaide.
The Proteas set themselves a target of 159, and after the Netherlands crushed 15 in the final to score 4-158 from their 20 overs, they only managed 8-145.
Stephan Myburgh and Max O’Dowd formed a solid opening pairing of 58 in 8.3 overs and then late in the inning Colin Ackermann scored 41 from 26 balls to bring the Dutch team home with a defensible goal.
From the moment Quinton de Kock was sent off for 13 in the third over, the Dutch sensed an opportunity for an upset.
The Proteas fell behind on the run rate, and then key wickets from Temba Bavuma (20), Rilee Roussouw (25) and Aiden Markram (17) put the Netherlands in control.
The big blow was the output of the versatile David Miller for 17, who was brilliantly caught in the outfield by Roelof van der Merwe in the 16th.
The wickets continued to fall and the noise from the crowd at Adelaide Oval grew louder and louder.
South Africa needed 26 runs from the finish but managed only 13, prompting loud and emotional celebrations from the Dutch team.
The result means India qualifies for the semi-finals even before facing Zimbabwe on Sunday afternoon.
The winner of Pakistan vs Bangladesh will move on to South Africa for second place, unless there is unlikely rain.
More to come.
