India (Commonwealth) _ A low-scoring thriller at Eden Gardens finished in Australia’s favor, as Pat Cummins’ team advanced to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final.
Australia’s victory advances them to Sunday’s final against tournament hosts India, where they can win a record sixth men’s Cricket World Cup title. Australia appeared to be on track for a victorious day in Kolkata when their new-ball bowlers ripped through South Africa’s top order after the Proteas chose to bat first in cloudy circumstances.
South Africa reached 212 all out thanks to a magnificent David Miller century, giving the bowlers something to work with in the second innings. With a victory total of 213 – the same as in the controversial 1999 semi-final between these two countries – Australia began about their pursuit quickly.
Travis Head and David Warner launched an aggressive attack in the first powerplay, only for South Africa’s spinners to reverse the trend as wickets fell at critical stages. A tight battle concluded with South Africa throwing everything at Australia’s tail in pursuit of the final wickets required to pull off a miraculous comeback.
The Proteas bowlers of choice were Keshav Maharaj (1/24 from ten overs), Tabraiz Shamsi (2/42) and Gerald Coetzee (2/47). Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, on the other hand, finished the job with the bat, securing victory with three wickets and 16 balls to spare.
Earlier, after opting to bat first in the semi-final, South Africa’s top order was placed under immense strain in good bowling conditions. South Africa fell to 24/4 in the 12th over, with Temba Bavuma (0), Quinton de Kock (3), Aiden Markram (10) and Rassie van der Dussen (6) all falling cheaply as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood tightened the screw.
A rain delay allowed South Africa to recover, and they slowly rebuilt through the middle overs, with Heinrich Klaasen (47) and Miller assuring that they would play in the semi-finals at the very last attempt to be stayed alive in the final.
Miller was out for 101 from 116 balls as the innings came to a conclusion, giving South Africa’s bowlers a total to defend, with the Proteas completing 212 all out with two balls remained in the permitted 50 overs.
Starc finished with 3/34 from 10 overs, while Cummins finished with 3/51 from 9.4 overs. But it was Hazlewood, who took a fantastic 2/12 from eight overs, and Travis Head, who took 2/21 from five, including the important wicket of Klaasen, who stole the show with the ball for Australia.
Travis Head and David Warner smashed Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen in the opening six overs of the chase, racing to 60/0. . However, Australia’s tranquil progress came to a halt as the spinners kept the game alive. Aiden Markram’s arrival provided South Africa early optimism, as he struck with his first delivery to dismiss Warner for 29.
Aiden Markram destroyed David Warner on his first delivery.Rassie van der Dussen’s superb catch off Kagiso Rabada saw Mitchell Marsh go without scoring. However, Travis Head raced to a quick half-century to keep his team comfortably ahead of the game, with wickets-in-hand important for Australia as they look to advance to Sunday’s final.
The game appeared to be heading for an unavoidable finish until the spinners applied the pressure in the middle overs. Right at the opening of his session, Maharaj delivered the key breakthrough, dismissing Head for a 48-ball 62.
And Tabraiz Shamsi entered the fray, ousting Marnus Labuschagne (18) and Glenn Maxwell (1) to give South Africa serious hope. Glenn Maxwell was bowled for one by Tabraiz Shamsi.
The game swung back in Australia’s favor as a lull in play saw Steve Smith and Josh Inglis accumulate methodically to bring their team closer to the objective. And the remaining marks were conceded slowly yet with extra vigilant as proteas spinners were sharp on taking wickets and conceal the victory. Finally Australian batters were successful reaching the targets losing only 7 wickets.
