David Miller saves South Africa from choking against 'Giant Killer' Netherlands on low-scoring New York pitch despite batting collapse

David the ‘Killer Miller’ prevented South Africa from choking against old foes Netherlands in a closely fought low-scoring encounter on a tricky pitch at Nassau County Cricket Stadium, New York. David Miller rescued South Africa from 12/4 in powerplay overs in a run chase of 104. Miller's unbeaten 51-ball 59 took South Africa home with seven balls to spare despite a couple of wickets in the slog overs.
 

Netherlands struggle to cross 100

Earlier, Markram won the toss and opted to field first. In the first over, Marco Jasen dismissed Michael Levitt for a three-ball duck. Ottneil Baartman was introduced into the attack and he got rid of opener Max ODowd. Jansen continued to bowl and knocked over Vikramjit Singh. After powerplay overs, Netherlands were 20/3. Bas de Leede and Sybrand Engelbrecht struggled to rotate strike. Anrich Nortje continued his good form and dismissed De Leede who scored six runs from 16 balls. Netherlands were 35/4.

Skipper Scott Edwards was run out by Markram in the 12th over. In the same over, Teja Nidamnuru was dismissed for a golden duck. In the 17th over, Engelbrecht's catch was dropped. Two boundaries were scored to push the scoring rate. In the penultimate over, Engelbrecht smashed Kagiso Rabada for a six. Logan van Beek hit a four to get Netherlands score past 100. In the final over, Baartman struck thrice as Netherlands posted 103/9. Baartman bagged four wickets just 11 runs in his quota of four overs.

Massive batting collapse

In the run chase, the openers got involved in a terrible mix-up and Quinton de Kock was run out for a diamond duck. Reeza Hendricks could not get going and got bowled by Van Beek. Skipper Markram failed too as he was dismissed for a three-ball duck and South Africa lost three wickets for just three runs in the third over. Vivian Kingma got the prized wicket of Heinrich Klaasen as South Africa lost four wickets for just 12 runs. After powerplay overs, South Africa were 16/4.

Miller finishes it off

In the ninth over, Miller hit the first boundary of the innings. At the halfway stage, South Africa were 32/4. In the 12th over, Miller hit the first six of the innings off left-arm spinner Tom Pringle. Tristan Stubbs joined him as well and hit Vikramjit Singh for a maximum. Just when South Africa seemed to be cruising towards the target, Stubbs lost his wicket to De Leede. He scored 33 runs from 37 balls. In the 18th over, Miller hit a six to release pressure but Van Beek knocked over Jansen. The Proteas needed 16 runs in the last two overs. He hit De Leede for a six and two fours to finish the run chase. 

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