Australia Defeated South Africa in a Nail-Biter Semi-Final of World Cup 2023

The Second Semi Final of World Cup 2023 was between Australia and South Africa. The second match was held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first. The pitch was not easy to bat on it was a turning track that was in the favor of bowlers, especially spin bowlers. Both sides played top spinners and fast bowlers. We will see the playing XIs of both sides below.

Australia’s Playing XI

Australia Players List are as follows:

1. Pat Cummins(C)
2. Steve Smith
3. Mitchell Marsh
4. David Warner
5. Travis Head
6. Josh Inglis(WK)
7. Glenn Maxwell
8. Marnus Labuschagne
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Adam Zampa

South Africa’s Playing XI

South Africa Players List is as follows:

1. Temba Bavuma(C)
2. Quinton De Kock(W)
3. Aiden Markram
4. Rassie Van Der Dussen
5. David Miller
6. Kagiso Rabada
7. Tabraiz Shamsi
8. Keshav Maharaj
9. Marco Jansen
10. Henrich Klaasen
11. Gerald Coetzee

David Miller’s Spectacular Innings

Although the start from the South African openers was not very good both of them went cheaply similarly van der Dussen and Markram did not last longer on the crease. South Africa was 44-4 at one stage but the partnership that stole the show was between Miller and Klaasen. Both of these hard-hitting batsmen are known for their batting in death overs but in this game, the scenario was very different.

They stuck to the crease and made sure that they built the innings together. So, both of them scored healthy runs for their side but Klaasen was out on 47 so it was solely on Miller to get South Africa something to defend. Miller started hitting boundaries on the rank turner and no bowler could stop him. At last, miller scored a fabulous ton. It was innings of fine quality. Miller scored 101 runs and smashed 8 fours and 5 sixes.

Australia’s Fine Bowling

Although the pitch was a rank turner the Australian bowlers kept the South African batters quite at most part of the game. They had a fabulous start with the ball but Miller had some other plans. Despite the innings of Miller, the Australian bowlers restricted South Africa to a below-par total. All the bowlers bowled really well Starc and Cummins took 3 wickets respectively, and Hazlewood and Travis Head took 2 wickets respectively.

Australia’s Reply with the Bat

Travis Head and David Warner gave Australia a solid start both of them attacked the South African bowlers but first David Warner was out and then Mitchell Marsh was out on a duck. After that Travis Head brought up his fifty he scored 62 runs on just 48 balls before he was bowled by Keshav Maharaj. Although Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship for Australia both of them got out in a bad manner. After that, Josh Inglis made a healthy contribution but he was also bowled by Coetzee. In the end, Cummins and Starc helped Australia cross over the line.

Gerald Coetzee’s and Tabraiz Sahmsi’s Extraordinary Bowling

The South African bowlers did not have much to defend but still, they bowled exceptionally well. They took breakthroughs at regular intervals especially their spinners bowled at good lengths and got wickets at certain intervals. Tabraiz Shamsi and Gerald Coetzee both got 2 wickets respectively.

Australia won the match by 3 wickets with 16 balls to spare.

Man of the match

Travis Head was declared man of the match due to his All-around performance.