World Cup: Amla, van der Dussen take SA to 241

Boult removes de Kock early as the Kiwis keep the Proteas on a leash

Hashim Amla and Rassie van der Dussen made half-centuries to help South Africa post 241 for six against New Zealand in a rain-delayed fixture at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

In a game that was reduced to 49 overs-a-side, New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson scalped three wickets as the South African batsmen — barring Amla and van der Dussen — failed to fire.

While van der Dussen remained unbeaten on 67, Amla contributed 55 to take the Proteas to a competitive total.

Put in to bat, South Africa required a good start, but Trent Boult castled Quinton de Kock to hand the Kiwis the early advantage. Skipper Faf du Plessis (23), too, departed soon, failing to keep out a perfect yorker from Ferguson.

Amla reaches 8000

Amla and Aiden Markram, who scored 38 before offering a catch to Colin Munro off Colin de Grandhomme, added 52 for the third wicket. During the course of his innings, Amla reached the 8,000-run mark in ODIs, the second fastest to do so.

The opener was soon cleaned up by a classic delivery from left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner and Markram, too, departed.

However, van der Dussen, who enjoyed two reprieves, joined David Miller (36 off 37 balls) to forge a 72-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Though van der Dussen hit a couple of boundaries and three sixes, the New Zealand bowlers kept things under control, never allowing the Proteas to run away with the game.

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