Marco Jansen's 27-ball fifty places him in elite list with Australia stalwart in T20 World Cup semifinal vs New Zealand

Marco Jansen smashed his half-century off 27 balls on a pitch where the other Proteas batters were struggling to get going.

Updated on: Mar 4, 2026, 21:46:03 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Marco Jansen sparked South Africa’s late surge with a fearless counterattack that swung momentum in their favour during the semifinal against New Zealand. Walking in with the innings in need of urgency, the left-hander unleashed a flurry of clean strikes, finishing unbeaten on 55 from just 30 deliveries. His assault lifted the Proteas to a total that looked far more competitive than it had a few overs earlier. In doing so, Jansen became only the second batter to score a fifty from No.7 or lower in a T20 World Cup knockout match, matching the feat achieved by Michael Hussey, whose 60 not out off 24 balls against Pakistan in the 2010 semifinal at Gros Islet remains one of the tournament’s most memorable cameos.

Marco Jansen smashed a fifty in T20 World Cup semi-final. (PTI)

Jansen smashed his half-century off 27 balls on a pitch where the other Proteas batters were struggling to get going. He remained unbeaten till the end and made sure his team posted a respectable 169/8 in a high-stakes semifinal.

Meanwhile, he joined hands with Tristan Stubbs (29) when South Africa were half down in the chase and put things back on track with a 73-run stand, which is also the second highest for the 6th wicket or lower in a T20 World Cup knockout.

50-plus partnerships for 6th wicket or lower in T20 World Cup playoffs

81* - Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (AUS) vs PAK, Dubai, 2021 SF

73 - Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs (SA) vs NZ, Kolkata, 2026 SF

68* - Angelo Mathews, Kumar Sangakkara (SL) vs PAK, Lord’s, 2009 Final

68 - George Bailey, Pat Cummins (AUS) vs WI, Colombo RPS, 2012 SF

54* - Carlos Brathwaite, Marlon Samuels (WI) vs ENG, Kolkata, 2016 Final

53* - Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson (AUS) vs PAK, Gros Islet, 2010 SF

Also Read - Pakistan drop Babar Azam, roll the dice with six new faces in Shaheen Afridi-led ODI squad against Bangladesh

Meanwhile, spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie took two wickets each before Tristan Stubbs and Jansen put on 73 to rescue the innings at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. McConchie struck first in the second over with his off-spin to send back Quinton De Kock for 10 and Ryan Rickelton next ball, but Dewald Brevis avoided the hat-trick. Pace bowler Matt Henry, who arrived back only on Tuesday night after going home for the birth of his child, took 2-34.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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