Cricket World Cup 2015 Results: South Africa vs. UAE Score and Updated Groups
South Africa booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the World Cup after another virtuoso display from AB de Villiers helped the Proteas to an easy 146-run victory over the United Arab Emirates.
The captain played with a freedom and intensity once again in Wellington but finished up on 99 after miscuing a drive to third man. He was ably assisted in his efforts by the big-hitting of Farhaan Behardien, who plundered an unbeaten 64 from 31 deliveries to help South Africa to a total of 341 for six.
The UAE response got off to a desperate start, and they lost wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings. Swapnil Patel top-scored with an unbeaten 57, but the Associate nation were eventually bowled out for 195.
Here’s how that result affects the Pool B standings and a closer look at how the action played out in Wellington.
Schedule
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Fixtures
Pool Matches
Mar. 13 Pool A: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Hamilton (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 13 Pool A: England v Afghanistan, Sydney (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 14 Pool B: India v Zimbabwe, Auckland (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 14 Pool A: Australia v Scotland, Hobart (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 15 Pool B: West Indies v United Arab Emirates, Napier (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 14)
Mar. 15 Pool B: Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)
Quarter-Finals
Mar. 18 Quarter-final 1, A1 v B4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 19 Quarter-final 2, A2 v B3, Melbourne (3:30 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 20 Quarter-final 3, A3 v B2, Adelaide (3:30 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 21 Quarter-final 4, A4 v B1, Wellington (1 a.m. GMT)
Semi-Finals
Mar. 24 Semi-final 1, Winner QF1 v Winner QF3, Auckland (1 a.m. GMT)
Mar. 26 Semi-final 2, Winner QF2 v Winner QF4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)
Final
Mar. 29 Final, Melbourne (5:30 a.m. BST)
Schedule courtesy of BBC Sport.
South Africa Romp to Victory over UAE
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South Africa (341/6) beat United Arab Emirates (195) by 146 runs
AB de Villiers continued his exemplary form at the Cricket World Cup as the South Africa captain helped his team book their place in the knockout stages of the tournament with another fine innings
He hammered 99 from 82 balls as the Proteas posted 341 for six and was duly assisted by a late blitz of 64 from 31 from the dynamic Farhaan Behardien. But once again the South Africa top order failed to fire.
In spite of that, the total was more than enough to defend against a UAE team that have now lost all five of their World Cup matches so far. It was the same old story for the Associate nation, as they surrendered early wickets and left too much pressure on a creaking middle order. Swapnil Patil’s diligent 57 was the main source of resistance for them.
De Villiers was the star of the show for his country once again with his knock, but as noted by cricket statistician Mohandas Menon, not many players have suffered the misfortune of being out one run shy of a century at the World Cup:
"AB de Villiers 3rd batsman in World Cup to be dismissed on 99 after Adam Gilchrist v SL in 2003 and JP Duminy v Ire in 2011 #SAvsUAE #CWC15
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 12, 2015"
But the skipper’s effort was an emphatic indicator of the wonderful form he’s currently in. Some of his shot-making beggars belief at times, and the ability to accelerate throughout the innings is so important for a team that is struggling for balance at the top of the order.
As noted here by Freddie Wilde of ESPN Cricinfo, De Villiers is looking like a complete batsman at this tournament:
"AB de Villiers: Strong Zone. #CWC15 #SAvUAE #SA #UAE pic.twitter.com/oJ8mXvINRE
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 12, 2015"
After losing some early wickets, De Villiers’ 108-run partnership with David Miller (49) helped push South Africa towards a sizeable total, but it was the blistering late exploits of Behardien that really took the game away from the Associate nation.
He tucked into some tired-looking bowling to smash a brisk 64—including five fours and three sixes—but Cricket365 remained apparently unconvinced by the batsman:
"Well done, Behardien. I'll wait till it happens against Australia or someone similar before I comment further.
— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) March 12, 2015"
Nonetheless, his late flourish converted South Africa’s total from a very tough one for the UAE to chase into an almost impossible one. That was something that became immediately apparent from the off as the Associate nation lost a flurry of early wickets.
Morne Morkel was the bowler causing the majority of problems first up. As noted by Ben Karpinski of cliffcentral.com, the rangy paceman was getting plenty out of a pretty flat wicket in the early stages:
"Oh Morne Morkel, how you tease us. 2/4 in 4 overs against UAE, bloody unplayable on a docile pitch. Please bottle this and use again soon.
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) March 12, 2015"
It was only when Patil joined Shaiman Anwar at the crease with UAE toiling on 45/3 that we were witness to some resistance, as they put on 63 for the third wicket. But it was short-lived respite, as Anwar departed for 39 and left the middle-lower order exposed.
Anwar is definitely a player who can be happy with his displays at this World Cup, though, per Geoff Lemon of The Guardian:
"Shaiman Anwar out, but he's fifth on the tournament run-scorers list. Major effort. #CWC15
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) March 12, 2015"
South Africa naturally sensed blood at this point, and while Patil hung around for a determined 57, wickets fell around him far too readily. Eventually, UAE were put out of their misery in the 48th over, all out for 195 and 146 runs short of the Proteas’ imposing total.
A win is a win for South Africa, and they can put their feet up knowing that their spot in the last eight is now absolutely certain. But there are some perennial concerns that will need addressing if they’re to be considered genuine contenders for this title; the most pertinent being that the top order must fire in order to lend some support to the mercurial De Villiers.
As such, the Proteas are overly reliant on individuals turning in moments of genial inspiration to haul them over the line in matches. However, when one of those is an in-form De Villiers, there’s always more than a sniff of victory.
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