Australia beat South Africa in the second semi-final of ICC World Cup 2023 by three wickets to face India in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on November 19.
Australia bowled out South Africa for a below-par 212 despite David Miller’s defiant 101 but the chase was not as straightforward as Pat Cummins and his team would have liked.
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Travis Head (62) led Australia’s rollicking start before a mid-innings wobble put the five-time champions in a spot of bother.
South Africa did not let big partnerships bloom but Australia eventually reached the target with 16 balls to spare with Steve Smith (30) and Jos Inglis (28) providing useful cameos.
South Africa were all out for a 212 despite David Miller’s defiant 101 in the second semi-final of the 50-over World Cup at Eden Gardens.
Temba Bavuma’s decision to bat under an overcast sky backfired and South Africa slumped to 24-4 inside 12 overs before light rain held up play.
Australia were accurate with the ball and agile in the field, turning up the heat on their rivals.
Miller and Heinrich Klaasen (47) arrested the slide after play resumed with a 95-run partnership but Travis Head’s double strike put Australia back in charge.
Miller smashed Pat Cummins for a six to bring up his hundred but fell in the same over trying to clear the rope again.
Cummins and Mitchell Starc claimed three wickets apiece for five-time champions Australia.
The winner of this clash of titans will meet India in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad as the tournament hosts beat New Zealand in the first semi-final on November 15, Wednesday.
South Africa have never progressed beyond the semi-finals of the tournament, impeded by a combination of bad luck and nerves, but they have looked formidable this time winning seven of their nine group matches.
