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| South Africa's defeat in the third quarter-final clears the way for New Zealand to advance to the semis [EPA] |
New Zealand have stunned South Africa in the quarter-finals of the Cricket World Cup to extend the Proteas' miserable losing run at the knockout stages of the competition.
The Kiwis pulled off a dramatic 49-run win over their highly rated opponents in Mirpur on Friday to reach the semi-finals for the sixth time.
South Africa have now lost all five of their knockout matches since first playing in the tournament in 1992.
The Black Caps, restricted to 221-8 after batting first, bundled out the Proteas for 172 in an exciting finish in front of 23,000 fans at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
Man-of-the-match Jacob Oram took two brilliant catches and captured four for 39 with his nagglingly accurate medium pace after the South Africans had appeared to be cruising to victory.
The South Africans had reached 108 for two shortly before the halfway point with their premier batsman Jacques Kallis well set on 47.
But Kallis was magnificently caught on the boundary by Oram off Tim Southee, JP Duminy was bowled for three and AB de Villiers run out two balls later for 35.
New Zealand, who had fielded tenaciously and bowled with spirit, piled on the pressure with Oram snapping up two more quick wickets.
Faf du Plessis, who was dropped by Oram on 29, hit the New Zealander for six off the next ball before holing out to Southee for 36. Morne Morkel (3) was the last man to fall as South Africa collapsed for 172 off 43.2 overs.
Jesse Ryder anchored the New Zealand innings with 83, his maiden World Cup half-century.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori praised his team's spirit.
"Every single bowler stepped up today, and probably it was the fielding that got us through," said Vettori.
South Africa, often regarded as the best team never to have the World Cup, have now lost in three semi-finals, two quarter-finals and once in the first round....
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