Field guides South Africa to an easy win

South African captain Rory Field led from the front as his team edged out Australia and made it to the final of the 2002 Blind World Cup. In the final to be played on Saturday, the defending champions shall take on the runners-up in the inaugural edition of the World Cup played in 1998, Pakistan.

In the morning, Australia after being put in by South Africa found a familiar hero in Nick Haydar. The opener, who was born in Kirrikale in Turkey, capped of his fine run in the tournament with a 112 off just 113 balls.

Keeping him company for the best part of the Australian innings was his opening partner Christopher Backstrom, who weighed in with 73 off 107 balls. The duo put on 258 for the first wicket to provide the backbone to the Australian innings. With Extras yielding 97, the Aussies, then, ended up with 328/3.

When South Africa replied, opener and captain Rory Field (104 off 96 balls) ensured that his team never lost track of the target on hand. With Van de Berg (86 off 87 balls) also making a significant contribution, the Proteas were soon making rapid strides towards overhauling the Australian score. Despite the two men being dismissed before their team reached 300, South Africa went on to complete an easy four-wicket win.