- Wednesday, May 08, 2024
The Kangaroos made their eighth World Cup final and their meeting with the hosts will be a replay of the final of the 2003 edition.
By: Shubham Ghosh
FIVE-TIME champions Australia on Thursday (16) defeated South Africa by three wickets in the semifinal of the ICC Men’s cricket World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, to make the final.
They will take on hosts India, who beat New Zealand in the first semi-final by 70 runs, in the title clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat on Sunday (19).
Australia, who won their eighth match on the trot in the tournament, overcame a tough challenge even after bowling out the Proteas for 212 after their captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat. The Australians overhauled the target in the 47th over for the loss of seven wickets with opener Travis Head top scoring with 62 in 48 balls.
Steve Smith scored 30, David Warner 29 and Josh Inglish 28. For South Africa, fast bowler Gerald Coetzee and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took two wickets each.
Earlier in the day, the Proteas faced a batting collapse under overcast conditions as Australia pacers wreaked havoc. They slumped to 24 for 4 in the 12th over when David Miller came to their rescue and played a counter-attacking knock of 101 in 116 balls. He was supported by Heinrich Klaasen who made 47 and Coetzee who chipped in with 19.
Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc (3 for 34), Josh Hazlewood (2 for 12) and captain Pat Cummins (3 for 51) took most wickets while Head picked two with his spin.
Australia have now made the final of the 50-over World Cup nine times while South Africa have lost all their semi-final games since 1992 when they made their debut. It was the third time that South Africa lost to Australia in the semi-final of the 50-over World Cup.
The Kangaroos will meet the Men in Blue in the World Cup final after a gap of two decades. The last time they met was in Johannesburg in 2003 and Australia won the match by 125 runs.
