Durban, September 19:

Justin Kemp blasted 89 not out off 56 balls after Morne Morkel claimed 4-17 as South Africa thrashed New Zealand by six wickets in the Twenty20 World Championships here today.

Graeme Smith’s team restricted the Kiwis to 153-8 and then knocked off the modest target with five balls to spare. It was Kiwis’ only defeat in three matches of the Super Eight and left them level with South Africa on two wins each.

Both teams will advance to the semi-finals from group E if India lose to England. If India win and also beat South Africa in their last match on Thursday, a three-way tie will be decided on net run-rates. England have been knocked out.

Pakistan are the first team to make the last four after beating Sri Lanka and Australia in group F. The second spot from the group will go to the winner of Thursday’s crucial tie between Australia and Sri Lanka in Cape Town.

Kemp added 65 runs for the fourth wicket with Mark Boucher (23) and an undefeated 48 for the fifth with Shaun Pollock (16 not out).

The South African blitz came after two wickets had fallen for 17 runs and a third batsman, Herschelle Gibbs, was dismissed in the eighth over with the total at 45. The emphatic win was set up by 22-year-old fast bowler Morne Morkel.

Craig McMillan top scored for New Zealand with 48 not out in an innings studded with four sixes.

B’desh vs SL

JOHANNESBURG: Bangladesh were dumped out of the Twenty20 World Championships on Tuesday after slumping to a 64-run defeat to Sri Lanka. Seamer Chaminda Vaas (2-14) and Dilhara Fernando were the stars for Sri Lanka as they helped their side defend a vulnerable total of 147-5.

Bangladesh’s total of 83 all out was the lowest in the tournament so far at the Wanderers.

Today’s matches

• Australia vs Sri Lanka @ 1:45pm

• Pakistan vs Bangladesh @ 5:45pm

• India vs South Africa @ 9:45pm