For a number of transient moments, South Africa believed that it might lastly get it proper in a ICC World Cup knockout match. But it was to not be, as Australia withstood some painful blows to emerge on prime by three wickets.
The Australians, by no means one to again down from a battle, will tackle India in what must be a traditional ultimate on Sunday.
A tame batting effort, barring a preventing century from David Miller, put South Africa on the backfoot. Australian openers Travis Head (62, 48b, 9×4, 2×6) and David Warner (29, 18b, 1×4, 4×6) then gave the facet a flying begin in pursuit of 213 – threatening to relegate this semifinal right into a one-sided affair.
The South Africans refused to go away quietly. The spinners, Tabraiz Shamsi particularly, utilized the stress with well timed wickets. Left-arm wrist spinner Shamsi had Australia in bother by scalping Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in fast succession.
At 137 for 5, there was a light sense of panic within the Australian camp. Steve Smith (30) solely made it worse with a stunning slog which ballooned to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. There was yet another scare in retailer, when Gerald Coetzee cleaned up Josh Inglis (28, 49b, 3×4) with a yorker.
Follow | SA vs AUS Highlights, World Cup 2023 Semifinal
Australia wanted an additional 20 runs with solely three wickets in hand. Mitchell Starc (16 n.o., 38b) and Pat Cummins (14 n.o., 29b) eased the nerves with a smart strategy, slowly however certainly chipping away on the whole.
South Africa did itself no favours by dropping at least 4 catches.
South Africa caught to its most well-liked choice of batting first. A horror begin, nonetheless, negated any perceived benefit. Skipper Temba Bavuma edged one to the ‘keeper in the first over, and was followed to the hut by a restless de Kock.
de Kock, the team’s highest run-scorer on this match, tried to interrupt the shackles with a mighty heave. Cummins at mid-off saved his composure, back-peddled and took a great catch. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markham cracked below the stress utilized by new ball bowlers Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
In solely the primary hour of the sport, South Africa was below the pump at 24 for 4. When it regarded like South Africa would fold cheaply, Miller stood tall. The southpaw grew in confidence alongside Heinrich Klaasen (47, 48b, 4×4, 2×6). The stand was damaged when Klaasen performed down the improper line to lose his stumps to offspinner Travis Head. The part-time tweaker struck gold on the very subsequent supply, trapping Marco Jansen on the pads.
Miller then took cost. His sixth ODI hundred rescued South Africa from being dismissed for a sub-200 whole.
Miller’s dismissal within the forty eighth over proved essential for Australia. If he had caught round for the total essay, South Africa might have added one other 20 runs to the tally.
The Australian pacers Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins constantly hit the fitting areas to snare eight wickets between them. It was greater than half the job carried out.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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