David Miller made an unbeaten half-century as South Africa avoided a hat-trick of World Cup upsets against the Netherlands with a nervy four-wicket victory in New York.

The Dutch posted a modest 103-9 after being asked to bat first as Sybrand Engelbrecht’s disciplined 40 off 45 balls helped them recover from 48-6. Ottniel Baartman bowled beautifully to finish with 4-11 for the Proteas, but a shock looked on the cards when the Netherlands reduced South Africa to 3-3 and then 12-4, reports BBC.

Tristan Stubbs (33) and Miller steadied the ship for South Africa before the Netherlands attack rallied to take two quick wickets late in the game. South Africa needed 15 off the final 12 balls but Miller got it done with an over to spare with some clean ball striking.

He sealed the victory with a huge heave off Bas de Leede over square leg to finish on 59 not out off 51 balls. A Dutch win over the Proteas at the last T20 World Cup at the Adelaide Oval ended South Africa's semi-final hopes.

Then at last year's 50-over version the Oranje sprung another surprise in Dharamsala when they ended South Africa’s unbeaten run in the tournament. South Africa would have been desperate to avoid the embarrassment of a defeat to the Associate nation, where there is a small but enthusiastic cricket community numbering some 6,000 active players.

There was certainly a zeal to the way in which the Proteas' bowlers approached their task, hitting the right lengths with excellent use of the short ball. Anrich Nortje (2-19) and Marco Jansen (2-20) backed up the excellent Baartman.

They were, however, blunted by Engelbrecht, a former South Africa under-19 player who moved to the Netherlands to work in real estate, as he rescued his side from a parlous position. He only hit two fours and one six but eked the Dutch to some sort of total with assistance from Logan van Beek’s useful 23.

A weekend atmosphere at the ground attended by people from around globe – there are reputedly 800 languages spoken in New York – created the best atmosphere at this venue in Eisenhower Park so far.