T20 World Cup: South Africa victory may be end of American dream

Is the American dream over already? If so, it was fun while it lasted.

After cannily negotiating the Money Group at the T20 World Cup, the USA immediately found going a whole lot tougher on their debut in the Super Eight.

The tournament co-hosts were beaten by on-song South Africa in their first match outside of their homeland in the competition, losing by 18 runs.

USA might have thought they had the measure of this competition after their glorious run through the group stage. Wins over Canada and Pakistan in Dallas were well merited, while they were one stop-clock penalty away from really pushing India close in New York, too.

Even the weather was on their side, washing out their final game against Ireland and so ensuring Pakistan’s final game was academic and that they could not be beaten to a place in the Super Eight.

As soon as they have left behind their home comforts and flown to the Caribbean, though, things are all of a sudden much trickier.

South Africa themselves looked happy to be in Antigua. Despite picking up four straight wins in topping their group, the Proteas batters found the first phase a grind. Not one of them had a strike rate of a run a ball in the competition so far.

Quinton de Kock, for one, looked grateful for the friendlier facilities on offer at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The opener savaged 74 from 40 balls, and shared in a stand worth 110 in less than 10 overs with Aiden Markram.

De Kock was particularly harsh on Jasdeep Singh, taking him for 28 from his first over.

The Proteas have prevailed in an humdinger