England snubbed as Dale Steyn picks semi-finalists for ICC T20 World Cup 2024
Published - 20 Jun 2024, 05:17 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 01:18 AM
South African cricketer Dale Steyn has surprised many by revealing his picks for four semi-finalists for the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Dale Steyn excluded the defending champions, England, from his list of semi-finalists in the T20 World Cup 2024, being played in the West Indies.
Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, and India are placed in Group 1 during the Super 8 stages of the ICC tournament. Group 2 includes England, South Africa, the West Indies, and the United States of America in the World Cup. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals of the T20 tournament.
Have To Go With South Africa And The West Indies - Dale Steyn
In an Instagram video, Dale Steyn omitted England from his predicted semi-finalists for the ongoing T20 World Cup. Steyn picked the West Indies and South Africa from Group 2. The legendary pacer named India and Australia as his picks from Group 1, while suggesting that Afghanistan could give tough competition.
"I think from this group, I have to go with South Africa and the West Indies. I've got to go with South Africa. England is the tough team, but I think South Africa and the West Indies. From the other group, it's tougher. But Australia knows how to win these tournaments. I have a feeling Afghanistan could push through, but it's going to be India," Steyn remarked.
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South Africa and England Commence Super 8 Campaigns With Wins
South Africa began their Super 8 campaign with a victory against the United States of America (USA). The Aiden Markram-led team secured an 18-run victory at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound on Wednesday, June 19. They successfully defended 194 runs to claim two crucial points in the Super 8 stages.
Kagiso Rabada delivered an outstanding bowling performance and took three wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs. Rabada bowled the crucial 19th over when the USA needed 28 runs from 12 balls. The right-arm pacer dismissed Harmeet Singh on the first ball and shifted the momentum back in South Africa's favor.
England secured an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in their T20 World Cup Super Eight match at the Daren Sammy National Stadium in St. Lucia. Phil Salt scored an unbeaten 87 runs off 47 balls, including seven fours and five sixes. England chased down the 181-run target with 15 balls to spare in the match.
Phil Salt was awarded "Player of the Match" for his incredible knock. Salt scored 30 runs off Romario Shepherd in one over, hitting three sixes and three fours. The defending champions staged a strong comeback after struggling in the first-round group phase and facing elimination from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
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