Matt Henry OUT of CT 2025 final? Mitchell Santner drops huge update

The second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was played between the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand National Cricket Team and the Temba Bavuma-led South Africa National Cricket Team on Wednesday, March 5.

The high-octane ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between the Black Caps and the Proteas was hosted at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Also Read: Watch: Matt Henry suffers severe injury in CT 2025 semi-final due to Heinrich Klaasen’s act

New Zealand dominate in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final and crush South Africa

Opting to bat first in the match, the Kiwis posted the biggest score in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy - 362/6. Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102) played exceptional innings as both of them hit tons.

Also, Daryl Mitchell (49) and Glenn Phillips (49) came up with quick-fire runs that ensured that the Black Caps utilized the momentum and ended up with a big score.

Defending the total, New Zealand bowlers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals and restricted South Africa to 312/9 to clinch a 50-run victory and book a date with India in the summit clash.

He keeps doing it - Mitchell Santner on Kane Williamson's heroics

Speaking after the match, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said that they were delighted to end up on the winning side in the match. He said:

"It's a pretty good feeling, today we were challenged by a good side, we will head to Dubai where we already faced India earlier. We will rest and will go again.

"It was holding a bit in the first innings but Rachin and WIlliiamson set the stage and the guys finishing it put the icing on the cake."

Mitchell Santner lauded his bowlers for making life hard for the Proteas batters and dropped an update on pacer Matt Henry, who hurt his shoulder while fielding but later returned to bowl.

"We took wickets in the middle overs and made it tough for the opposition. What we speak as a group is to apply pressure and take wickets in the middle. Michael Bracewell bowled really well in the last game to take a 4-fer," Mitchell Santner said.

"It was really pleasing for me to take three scalps today. It makes my job easier, we have four all-rounders who can bowl spin and they can bat as well. Rachin's five overs were great, have to wait and see how Matt Henry's shoulder is. It's a bit sore, we have to wait for a couple of days and see."

When asked about Kane Williamson's batting masterclass against South Africa, Mitchell Santner said that the right-handed batter has been doing well for them for a long period of time. He said:

"(On Williamson) He keeps doing it, that partnership was massive for us, he was able to keep going in the middle phase, South Africa challenged us but we were able to cash in and score 360. We felt 320 might not be enough."

At last, Mitchell Santner talked about the final against India and said that they will take learnings from their previous match against India in Dubai. He said:

"(On their loss against India in Dubai) Being there and being put under pressure was good. I think the bowlers bowled well to chip wickets at the top. I think winning the toss will be nice as well."

How Did New Zealand Perform in the Previous ODI Match Against South Africa?

New Zealand delivered a great performance in their previous ODI match against South Africa, which was part of the Pakistan Tri-nation series, in Lahore on February 10, 2025.

The Black Caps bagged a six-wicket victory over South Africa to book their place in the final of the Tri-nation series and the hero of the match was Kane Williamson, who hit a brilliant ton to help New Zealand successfully chase down 305 with eight balls to spare.

After electing to bowl, New Zealand’s bowlers did well to keep South Africa’s scoring in check. While debutant Matthew Breetzke played a stunning innings of 150 runs off 148 balls, the rest of the South African lineup struggled to build momentum. Will O’Rourke (2/72) and Matt Henry (2/59) were the pick of the bowlers, while Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner contained the middle order.

Chasing 305, New Zealand built their innings very well. Will Young fell for 19, but Devon Conway (97) and Kane Williamson (133*) took control with a record 187-run stand against South Africa.

Conway looked set for a century before falling to Junior Dala, but Williamson continued and reached his hundred off just 72 balls, his second-fastest in ODIs. In the end, Glenn Phillips (28*) provided him with solid support and New Zealand easily won the match.