Australia overcame South Africa in a low-scoring thriller in Kolkata by the slim margin of three wickets, setting up a match against undefeated tournament hosts India in Sunday’s Cricket World Cup final.
Australia won the toss and elected to field first, reducing South Africa to 24-4 in favorable overcast conditions. However, the Proteas batted their way to 212, and Australia’s innings collapsed to 137-5 when Glen Maxwell was dismissed in the 24th over.
We’re a step closer to the Cricket World Cup Finals! But first, let’s get into the details of the latest World Cup results between South Africa and Australia. Make sure to check our list of the top cricket betting sites so you can wager wisely and with caution!
Quick Recap: South Africa vs Australia
South Africa had one more chance as Australia’s run total approached single digits, but Quinton de Kock caught Pat Cummins attempting to edge one from off-spinner Aiden Markram to end the innings on eight. At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Cummins capitalized on the reprieve by smashing the winning runs in the 48th over, sending Australia to their ninth World Cup final.
Before Travis Head grabbed two wickets in two balls, Australia had the upper hand thanks to a 95-run stand for the fifth wicket between David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen on either side of a brief rain delay. Miller reached his sixth ODI century in the 48th over but departed shortly thereafter as South Africa were bowled out for 498 two balls short of their 50-over target.
Australia Pull Through
Head and David Warner got Australia off to a scorching start in their run chase, scoring 60 in the first six overs, making it seem unlikely that they would reach their goal of 213. following delivery, Markram bowled Warner, and in the following over from Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen took a spectacular diving catch at cover to dismiss Mitchell Marsh for a duck.
Both Marnus Labuschagne and Smith were nervous at the out
set of their innings; the former was saved by a strong lbw shout from Tabraiz Shamsi on four, and the latter was dropped by Quinton de Kock on 10 when a difficult chance bounced off Smith’s thigh.
Maxwell walked out to bat for the first time since his historic double-century against Afghanistan, which has been called “the greatest ODI innings ever,” but he was quickly dismissed by Shamsi as he attempted a sweep shot across the line.
Although Coetzee took the wickets of Smith and Inglis when they looked like they would lead Australia to victory, the Proteas’ final push fell short and Australia won with their skipper at the helm.
Miller Carries South Africa
While Cummins admitted at the toss that he too would have elected to bat first, the decision to bowl first proved to be a good one to lose as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood decimated the South African top order with the new ball. There wasn’t even a boundary struck until the ninth over, as the Proteas only managed 18 runs in the first 10 overs.
The part-time off-spin of Head, however, would turn out to be a greater task as the good partnership was halted with his arrival, Klaasen bowled diving a straight delivery and Marco Jansen held lbw next ball.
Miller saw the tail through to a well-deserved hundred and took South Africa past 200, but Cummins claimed him later in the same over and finished the innings for 212. It was an aim that proved incredibly tough for Australia but they eventually overcame it, delivering a fifth World Cup semi-final setback on the South Africans.
Player of the Match: Travis Head
On Thursday, Travis Head hit a half-century off of 40 balls and concluded with figures of 2-21 against South Africa. Head was in jeopardy of playing in the World Cup after breaking his left hand while attempting to oust Gerald Coetzee in the ODI series against South Africa.
It appeared to be a cakewalk thanks to Travis Head and David Warner’s onslaught at the top of the order, but then the Proteas bowlers seized control. Gerald Coetzee’s two early strikes were set up by the spinners. It was a heroic display of endurance, but South Africa ultimately had too few defenders.
Score: South Africa v Australia
| South Africa | 212 | 49.4 overs |
| Australia | 215/7 | 47.2 overs |
| Australia won by 3 wickets | ||
After a nail-biting semifinal match against South Africa, Australia advanced to face Rohit Sharma and India for the Cricket World Cup championship on Sunday. Australia will attempt to become the first team to win the 50-over World Cup on six separate occasions, while host nation India will be playing for its third crown. On Sunday, the Cricket World Cup Final will be played in Ahmedabad. Despite reaching the World Cup semifinals five times, South Africa has never prevailed. Make sure to place your wagers at the best online cricket betting sites in India if you wish to bet on Australia or India! Don’t miss out on the cricket action, get the best cricket odds, and other cricket offers here!