KOLKATA-5-time champions Australia edged spirited South Africa by three wickets after a tense run chase to arrange ICC World Cup 2023 last with unbeaten hosts India. Set to chase a modest 213, the South African bowlers made it a tricky activity for Australia, however they finally chased down the whole for the lack of three wickets and 16 balls to spare. Openers Travis Head and David Warner scripted a flying begin to the pursuit as they notched up 60 runs within the first six overs.
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma introduced part-timer Aiden Markram into the assault and he immediately drew a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Warner, who scored a quickfire 29 in 18 balls, hitting one boundary and 4 sixes.
Kagiso Rabada introduced one other success for South Africa within the subsequent over by dismissing Mitchell Marsh (0), courtesy of a shocking catch by Rassie van der Dussen on the cowl area. Head was then joined by Marnus Labuschagne and the pair took Australia previous the 100-run mark with the previous racing to his brisk half-century.
The left-handed opener, nevertheless, did not stretch his sensational knock as he was castled by Keshav Maharaj within the 15th over. He remained the top-scorer for Australia with a 48-ball 62 which included 9 boundaries and two sixes. Tabraiz Shamsi then struck twice in fast succession, dismissing Labuschagne (18) and Glenn Maxwell (1) as Australia slipped to 137/5 in 23.four overs.
Skilled batter Steve Smith then put collectively a 37-run stand with wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis earlier than each fell sufferer to Gerald Coetzee within the span of 32 deliveries. Each Smith and Inglis have been notable run-getters for Australia with necessary cameos of 30 and 28 respectively. South Africa have been simply three wickets away from enjoying their first World Cup last however a smart partnership between Australian skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc swept away their hopes. The duo knitted an unbeaten 22-run partnership and steered Australia to a hard-fought victory.
Starc scored a cautious 16 not out in 38 deliveries whereas Cummins performed an unbeaten 14-run knock. Tabraiz Shamsi and Gerald Coetzee took two wickets every for South Africa whereas Maharaj, Rabada and Markram bagged one wicket apiece.
South Africa have to attend extra to play their first World Cup last because the misplaced their fifth semifinal whereas the five-time champions can be enjoying on the largest stage for the eighth time after they tackle unbeaten India on Sunday on the picturesque Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.