Picture : ICC / X
Five – time World Cup winner Australia came out with mission and held nerve to beat South Africa by 3 wickets in low-scoring second semi- final in Kolkata, Eden Gardens.
South African Skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first . In overcast conditions , Australian pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ripped through the Proteas top order with superb bowling and getting the ball to swing and bounce. In-form Quinton de Kock ( 3) caught brilliantly By Aussie Skipper Pat Cummins off Hazlewood. Skipper Bavuma dismissed for ( 0 ) by Starc. Rassie van der Dussen struggled for 6 ( 31 balls), Aiden Markram ( 10). Proteases were tottering at 24/ 4 in 11. 5 overs.
Heinrich Klaasen 47 ( 48 balls , 4 fours, 2 sies) and a fighting hundred by David Miller 101 ( 116 balls, 8 fours 5 sixes) somewhat helped South Africa from total collapse and major embarrassment . Marco Jansen ( 0), Gerald Coetzee ( 19), Keshav Maharaj ( 4), Kagiso Rabada (10) and Tabraiz Shamsi not out 1 . South Africa were eventually bowled out foe 212 in 49. 4 overs. Given the Aussie batting-power it was 30- 40 run short and this was proved at the end
Aussie bowlers backed by superb ground fielding restricted South Africa who in CWC23 had relished batting first. Having lost to South Africa in league game, Aussies were eyeing revenge . And the bowlers showed the intent
Aussie bowling figures were : Mitchell Starc 3/ 34 ( 10 overs), Josh Hazlewood outstanding 2/ 12 ( 8 overs), Skipper Pat Cummins 3/ 51 ( 9. 4 overs), Adam Zampa bit expesnive 0/ 55 ( 7 overs), Glenn Maxwell 0/ 35 ( 10 overs), Travis Head 2/ 21 ( 5 overs)
In reply , Aussie openers David Warner and Travis Head got off to a blazing start to rattle South African bowlers. Both blazed away. Australia racing to 60 in 6.1 overs when Warner fell for 29 ( 18 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes). Head on the other hand kept the attack with some audacious power hitting. Proteas were shocked as Head smashed 62 ( 48 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes). Big- hitting Mitchell Marsh was out for 0 caught sensationally by Rassie van der Dussen off Rabada. Steven Smith looked set to see Aussie home but was out to reckless shot at 30. Glenn Maxwell went for huge heave when not required out for 1. Marnus Labuschagne struggled for his 18. Wicket-Keeper Josh Inglis showed clam and determination in 29 off 49 balls with 3 fours.
As wickets fell around and South Africa even dropping few chances. Mitchell Starc not out 16 ( 38 balls, 2 fours ) and Skipper pat Cummins who showed how how cool he is under pressure situations yet again scored an unbeaten 14 ( 29 balls, 2 fours) ensured Aussies do not lose another wicket and the duo saw them. Cummins hitting the winning four to seal the match . Australia prevailed reaching 215/ 7 in 47. 2 overs.
South African tried hard but with dropped catches and not runs on the board it was tough for bowlers yet, spinners Shamsi and Maharaj gave it all . Marco Jansen 0/ 35 ( 4. 2 overs), Kagiso Rabada 1/ 41 ( 6 overs), Aiden Markram 1/ 23 ( 8 overs), Gerald Coetzee 2/ 47 ( 9 overs), Tabraiz Shamsi 2/ 42 ( 10 overs), Keshav Maharaj 1/ 24 ( 10 overs).
South Africa would rue they had Australia at 137/ 5 yet could not stop them. Will kick themselves for dropping several catches and blame for not supporting David Miller when he fought a lone battle while batting . Target of 250 plus on this slow turning wicket wicket would have been good enough. But South Africa as always in their ODI World Cup history had failed to deliver when it mattered most.
Match: World Cup 2023, 2nd Semi-Final
Venue: Kolkata | Date: November 16, 2023
