South Africa failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 despite a 10-run victory over England in Sharjah.
Defending 190, South Africa restricted England to 179/8 in their stipulated overs. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada picked up a hat-trick in the final over by dismissing Chris Woakes, Eoin Morgan and Chris Jordan. The trio was caught in the deep in an attempt to make 14 runs off the last six balls.
Although the Proteas inflicted a first defeat of the tournament on England, they failed to limit them to 131 or fewer meant Australia reached the final four in place of South Africa.
England secured their place in the knockout stages by crossing 87 and confirmed their status as table toppers of Group 1 by reaching 106.
However, for the rest of the tournament, Eoin Morgan & Co. have lost opener Jason Roy who suffered a calf injury in the fifth over of the second innings. Roy broke down in tears when forced to retire hurt and was using crutches after the game.
In an entertaining game full of brilliant hitting across the ground, Rassie van der Dussen scored 94 not out from 60 balls in South Africa’s 189-2, sharing an unbeaten 103-run partnership with Aiden Markram, who smashed a quick-fire 52.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
It's confirmed now, Australia are through to the semis. Brave effort by South Africa, fantastic win against England but while they didn’t qualify to the semis, they should be proud at the way they are progressing as a team. #ENGvSA #T20WorldCup
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 6, 2021
The Proteas played a great game today 👏🏼 Brilliant in fact to beat the tournament favourites 🏏
— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) November 6, 2021
Proud of you manne!
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 6, 2021
Win 4 out of 5, beat England. Eliminated.
Just brutal. #ENGvSA
— Danyal Rasool (@Danny61000) November 6, 2021
South Africa win the match 🇿🇦
A great effort from the boys but not quite enough, still through to the semi-final top of the group 💪#T20WorldCup #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/J9JKgUFcae
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) November 6, 2021
Sadly, #SouthAfrica won the battle but lost the war!#T20WorldCup21#T20WorldCup#ENGvSA #SAvsENG
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 6, 2021
To finish with 4 wins from 5 in a fickle format like T20 and not qualify for the semis seems a tad hard to digest. I had SA in my top 4 over Aus since they had the right set of players and skills for these conditions. Should have finished the BNG game a bit earlier in hindsight
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) November 6, 2021
Australia chased 74 in 6.2 overs
India chased 86 in 6.3 oversSouth Africa took 13.3 overs to chase down 85. Had they chased it inside 7.5 overs, they would have qualified instead of Australia. Certainly wasn't an improbable equation.#ENGvSA https://t.co/t3F2G8EE4u
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 6, 2021
Third hat-trick of the tournament! By Kagiso Rabada, Wanindu Hasaranga and Curtis Campher. In six ICC men's T20 World Cups before, there was only one hat-trick [by Brett Lee in 2007].
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 6, 2021
Well played, South Africa – 4 wins from five matches in Super 12 – only lose was against Australia in the final over – they should be proud of their performance – it was total team work. Well lead by Bavuma.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 6, 2021
