South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk recently gave a shocking comment on India’s washed out semi-final where she said that she would rather lose a semi-final match than “get a free pass” to the World Cup final. South Africa missed out on reaching the final of 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup final by an inch, losing to hosts Australia by mere five runs via the Duckworth Lewis Method. After the end of Australia’s innings, there was a long break due to rains at the Sydney Cricket Grounds and that gave South Africa a target off 98 to chase in 13 overs.
“I am not going to sit and lie and say, ‘You don’t think about it’,” van Niekerk said, about the possibility of her team qualifying for the final if the match had been washed out by virtue of being their points in the group stage than Australia. “I have to give credit to the ground staff; they did absolutely everything to keep us on the park. And we are here to play cricket. I’d rather lose than get a free pass into the World Cup final.”
Earlier in the day, India had reached the final after their semi-final match against England was called off due to rain. India had finished their group stage as the table topper while England had six points which helped Harmanpreet Kaur’s side reach their first-ever T20 World Cup final without playing the game. ane van Niekerk had said before the match that she supported the argument for reserve days for world tournaments as well.
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“To lose out because of weather is probably not ideal,” she said on Wednesday. “And I don’t think it should be like that. I believe in the future, semi-finals and finals should definitely have reserve days.”
However, many reacted on the comment Dane van Niekerk said and her partner Marizanne Kapp gave fitting reply too.
Not sure why Dane Van Niekerk pointed out that she'd rather take a loss, instead getting a free entry into the World Cup finals. Everyone including she knows that both team were equally confident for the game and weather wasn't in their control,so why she took a bait against us?!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 5, 2020
Dane van Niekerk was incredibly poised in her post-match presser.
Said she would have preferred to lose than go through to the final because of a washout.
Speaks to the character of the South African team and everything they’ve achieved this #T20WorldCup
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) March 5, 2020
Indian women's team were undefeated in the group state.
They would have had a greater chance of winning semis against England too.South African captain Dane van Niekerk made some stupid statements indirectly pointing out at India going through to finals.#T20WorldCup
— Akki (@hereIcomeagain7) March 5, 2020
Indians support South Africa most of the time.
Those are irresponsible comments from Dane van Niekerk.
She was indirectly pointing at India going to finals.After seeing her comments, I'm happy that South Africa didn't make it through.#T20WorldCup https://t.co/JLuM6SJfI2
— Akki (@hereIcomeagain7) March 5, 2020
Yeah I know. She termed Dane van Niekerk's statement as 'class' so thought of taking a shot 🥳 I would rather term it as 'crass' 😂
— Mainak Sinha🏏📽️ (@cric_archivist) March 6, 2020
@OfficialCSA @ESPNscorecard
Storming into the world cup final is a joke to you dane van niekerk?
There is a thin line between sarcasm and tantrum which you crossed and just to clear the air, it's your performance that cost you the match not indian women's cricket team entry.— Namy (@Nammyyyy) March 5, 2020
I feel sorry for people like you… https://t.co/UXnWVy1lHS
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) March 6, 2020
We love our Indian fans and they know what she meant by what she said, not my problem you don’t understand 🤷🏻♀️ https://t.co/rj3mBFPFg7
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) March 6, 2020
