In a nail-biting encounter at Eden Gardens, Australia held their nerve to secure a thrilling three-wicket victory over South Africa in the second semifinal of the 2023 World Cup. The win propelled Australia into the final, where they are now set to face India in what promises to be an epic showdown at Modi Stadium.
The contest kicked off with high stakes as Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma elected to bat after winning the toss. However, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, the formidable Australian pace duo, had different plans. Starc drew first blood in the opening over, dismissing Bavuma with a well-executed delivery that found the edge of the Proteas captain’s bat. The early breakthrough set the tone for the innings, and Hazlewood soon followed suit, sending the in-form Quinton de Kock back to the pavilion with a brilliant fielding effort by Pat Cummins at mid-on.
South Africa found themselves in dire straits at 18-2 during the powerplay, registering the second-worst start of the entire tournament. Starc and Hazlewood continued to wreak havoc, claiming one more wicket each in their extended opening spells, reducing the Proteas to a precarious 24-4 after 12 overs.
Facing a challenging situation, the Proteas fought back through a resilient partnership between David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen. Miller, in particular, showcased his class with a brilliant century, scoring 101 runs off 116 balls. However, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins continued to make inroads, finishing with three wickets each to restrict South Africa to 212 all out in 49.4 overs.
Australia’s chase wasn’t without its own set of challenges. Proteas bowlers Tabraiz Shamsi and Gerald Coetzee managed to keep the pressure on, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals. Travis Head emerged as the anchor for Australia, playing a crucial innings of 62 runs off 48 balls. Steve Smith, despite a cautious start, contributed a valuable 30 runs in 62 balls, forming partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis.
The South African bowlers, however, kept the game alive by taking timely wickets, dismissing Mitchell Marsh for a duck and Glenn Maxwell for a solitary run. Gerald Coetzee’s dismissal of Steve Smith at a crucial juncture brought the equation down to 193-7, with the match hanging in the balance.
In a tense finish, Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins displayed nerves of steel, guiding Australia past the remaining runs with less than three overs to spare. The victory sealed Australia’s place in the World Cup 2023 final, where they are now poised to face India in a blockbuster clash at Modi Stadium. The stage is set for an unforgettable finale as two cricketing powerhouses vie for the prestigious World Cup title.
Watch More Blogs by Clicking on Sportechhub
