Dewald Brevis fights back as South Africa reach 77/4 in 10 overs after New Zealand opt to bowl in the semifinal

South Africa reached 77/4 after 10 overs against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semifinal after being asked to bat first. Early blows saw Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton depart quickly, while skipper Aiden Markram also fell after a brief stay. Dewald Brevis steadied the innings with a brisk 34 off 25 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving. Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie struck twice each as New Zealand maintained pressure through the middle overs in Kolkata.

Playing XI

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi

SA vs NZ semifinal: New Zealand win toss, opt to bowl, Matt Henry returns in Kolkata

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl first against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Fast bowler Matt Henry returned to the playing XI, strengthening the Kiwi pace attack for the crucial knockout clash against the unbeaten Proteas.

SA vs NZ Head-to-head: When and where to watch T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal in Kolkata

Unbeaten South Africa will face an inconsistent New Zealand in the first semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Proteas have dominated the head-to-head record with 12 wins from 19 matches, while the Kiwis have managed seven victories. New Zealand will rely on Tim Seifert, Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra, while South Africa’s strong lineup raises expectations. The semifinal will begin at 7 PM IST, with live broadcast on Star Sports and streaming available on Jio Hotstar.

Suspected arson fire breaks out at Macclesfield FC’s historic Moss Rose Stadium

A fire broke out at Macclesfield FC’s Moss Rose Stadium in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting a swift response from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to control the blaze, which reportedly started in an outbuilding near the club shop. Authorities believe the incident may have been a deliberate arson attack and have launched an investigation. No injuries were reported, and the club urged supporters to stay away while emergency crews secured the area.

Ex-Australia star Stuart MacGill loses cool after host brings up David Warner’s wife controversy

Former Australia leg-spinner Stuart MacGill lost his temper during a Cricket Unfiltered podcast after host Andrew Menczel brought up the controversy involving David Warner’s wife, Candice Warner, from Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa. MacGill strongly objected to revisiting the topic and erupted in anger, hurling insults at the host during the heated exchange. The argument escalated quickly before the episode ended, with the incident drawing widespread attention across social media.

Lakshya Sen stuns world No.1 Shi Yuqi to reach All England Round of 16

India’s Lakshya Sen produced a major upset at the All England Open Badminton Championships, defeating world No.1 Shi Yuqi in a gripping three-game match. Sen won 23–21, 19–21, 21–17 in the opening round, showcasing strong defence and attacking control in crucial moments. The victory knocked out the defending champion early and sent the Indian shuttler into the Round of 16, marking one of his most significant wins of the season.

Tennis season begins amid global tensions as players prepare for hard-court swing

The global tennis season is beginning under the shadow of rising geopolitical tensions, with several tournaments facing travel concerns and security discussions. Events such as the upcoming Masters tournaments are proceeding, but players and organisers remain alert to the broader international situation. Despite the uncertainty, top stars are continuing their preparations as the new hard-court swing begins. Officials insist schedules remain unchanged for now, though the sport is closely monitoring developments that could potentially affect travel, participation, and tournament logistics in the weeks ahead.