WCL | Phil Mustard’s power blended with Owais Shah- Ravi Bopara bowling class pepper South Africa Champions

07/04/2024

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England Champions beat South Africa Champions by nine wickets at Edgbaston. Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah’s three-fer restricted the South African side to just 137 runs whereas Phil Mustard’s powerful knock of 84 off 35 deliveries ultimately sealed the victory for England Champions in 11 overs.

Brief score: ENGC 138/1 (11) [Mustard 84* (35), Pietersen 28(11); Kleinveldt 1/14(2)] beat SAC 137 (19.2) [Gibbs 26 (19), McLaren 22(24); Bopara 3/9(1.2)] by nine wickets.

England Champions skipper Kevin Pietersen won the toss and opted to bowl first against South Africa Champions at Edgbaston. The decision proved fruitful as Ryan Sidebottom struck early, dismissing Proteas skipper Jacques Kallis in the first over. The trouble continued for South Africa as Richard Levi and JP Duminy fell within the powerplay, leaving the score at 38/3. Herschelle Gibbs provided a brief respite with a cameo of 26 off 19 balls, but he was dismissed in the seventh over. The South African innings crumbled further, with Justin Ontong and Ashwell Prince departing cheaply reducing the score to 66/6 in 10 overs. Dane Vilas' 16 off 17 offered some stability, but his departure in the 14th over dashed any remaining hopes. Meanwhile, Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah each took three wickets as South Africa Champions were bowled out for 137.

In reply, England Champions got off to a flying start with Kevin Pietersen and Phil Mustard racing to 62/0 in just four overs. However, Rory Kleinveldt managed to dismiss Pietersen in the fifth over but that didn’t slow the run chase. Mustard, alongside Ian Bell, continued to dominate, reaching his fifty in just 22 balls and pushing the score to 85/1 in seven overs. The duo maintained their aggressive approach, guiding England Champions to victory in the 11th over as England Champions won the game convincingly by nine wickets.

Reaction says it all

Kevin Pietersen pic.twitter.com/8PobO0QMfd
— 🎮 (@s0urav27) July 4, 2024

Bugger off

Phil Mustard needs to bugger off so that players like Bopara & Kevin O’Brien can come in #WCL
— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan) July 3, 2024

Real talk

Who is Phil Mustard? Real talk
— Sineletu 🇿🇦🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@Ruga_Sine12) July 4, 2024

That moment

First know ab the story of Ian bell and that moment , who convinced who to do that
— Garv Kaushik (@wq6jtmgnbx) July 4, 2024

Still making

Imran Tahir is playing Legends League but he will still make a place in Multan Sultan playing XI.
— Abdul (@ALAM_ABDULA) July 4, 2024

Dropped

Steve Waugh to Herschelle Gibbs (after he dropped the catch in the 1999 WC semi-final) - You have dropped the Cup, man!

Indians to #SuryakumarYadav - You have held the Cup, man, not the catch! #suryakumaryadavcatch #T20WorldCupFinal https://t.co/30w14VyOzk
— Ananth Rupanagudi (@Ananth_IRAS) July 4, 2024

Thing of beauty

That Herschelle Gibbs swivel pick pull shot is still a thing of beauty. He makes it look so easy 👌#CricketTwitter #WCL
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) July 4, 2024

Lol

Ryan McLaren still a fraud even post retirement
— Lama 🇨🇩 (@LamaTheCule) July 4, 2024

Words!

Wise words from Captain @jacqueskallis

This team is FIRED UP! Are you ready to see the South Africa Champions unleash their power? Let us know in the comments! #BringOnTheChallenge #SAChamps pic.twitter.com/cDHYuYQYaG
— WCLSouthAfricaChampions (@WCLSAChampions) July 4, 2024

Beauty