Picture : ICC / X
South Africa came out with a purpose and putting up a clinical display beat Australia by whopping 134 runs and handing the five- times winners their second consecutive loss in the CWC23.
The proteas were powered by opener Quinton de Kock’s blazing century. If de Kock showed his class with a masterful 109 off 106 balls to take the Proteas to 311/7, the fast bowlers were at their ruthless best, bundling Australia for 177 in 40.5 overs for their second consecutive win.
De Kock, who will retire from the format after the World Cup, oozed confidence while scoring his second consecutive century with the help of eight boundaries and five maximums while Aiden Markram smashed 56 off 44 to help the team post the highest ODI total in Lucknow.
The South African quicks were relentless with the new ball and bowled with accuracy to essentially finish off the match before the 18th over of the Australian innings, with Pat Cummins’ side tottering at 70/6.
Lungi Ngidi (1/18) set the tone with some incisive bowling. Marco Jansen (2/54) backed Nigidi and reaped the benefit as he removed Mitchell Marsh (7) without much trouble.
David Warner looked to get going but Ngidi struck for a wicket-maiden seventh over.
Kagiso Rabada (3/33) joined the party with the vital strikes of Steve Smith (19) and Josh Inglis (5) off consecutive overs.
Australia’s trouble with left-arm spin continued as Keshav Maharaj (2/30) caught Glenn Maxwell (3) off his own bowling.
Marnus Labuschagne (46) and Mitchell Starc (27) stitched a fighting 69-run stand for the seventh wicket but that was not enough to change the course of the match.
The Aussie lacked intensity and were poor in the field with drop catches and poor death bowling. They will need to desperately get their act together in remaining games to stay in the hunt .
Match: World Cup 2023, 10th Match
Venue: Lucknow | Date: October 12, 2023
