New Zealand: Australia defeats South Africa by 3 wickets in a low-scoring thriller at Eden Gardens, to qualify for the ICC World Cup 2023 finals against India. This will be the 8th time Australia will be playing the final of the ICC World Cup, winning on the five instances earlier. 1975, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015 AND 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣! Australia are through to yet another ICC Men's @cricketworldcup final 🤯#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/je7UGytC0U — ICC (@ICC) November 16, 2023 Australia started their chase in an attacking manner as the opening pair of David Warner (29) and Travis Head (62), added 60 runs for the first wicket in just 36 balls. South Africa kept taking wickets at regular intervals, and didn't allow Australia to run away with the chase. However, Steve Smith (30), stitched two good partnerships with Marnus Labuschange (18) and Josh Ingis(28) to keep Australia in hunt. In the end, skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc gave the Australian innings final touches and defeated South Africa by 3 wickets to qualify for a record-extending 8th ICC World Cup finals. In bowling, Gerald Coetzee and Tabraiz Shamsi took 2 wickets each for South Africa, while Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada took one wicket each. Earlier, the South African team won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision was soon proven wrong when they were reduced to 24 for 4 by the 12th over, thanks to deadly opening spell by Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc. The match was interrupted by rain at the 14th over mark, and South Africa started their resurgence after the rain break. Heinrich Klassen (47), alongside David Miller, added 95 runs for the fifth wicket, but Travis Head put Australia right back on top with two quick wickets. However, David Miller scored a fighting century of 101 from 116 balls to take South Africa to a respectable total of 212 on the board. For Australia, Mitchell Starc (16*) and Pat Cummins (14*) took 3 wickets each, while Josh Hazelwood and Travis Head also got 2 wickets each for themselves. Batting (1st innings) South Africa: 212/10 (49.4 overs), David Miller- 101 (116), Heinrich Klassen- 47 (48) Bowling (2nd innings) Australia: Mitchell Starc- 3/35 (10 overs), Pat Cummins- 3/51 (9.4 overs) Batting (2nd innings) Australia: 215/7 (47.2 overs) [Target-213], Travis Head- 62 (48), Steve Smith 30 (62) Bowling (2nd innings) South Africa: Gerald Coetzee- 2/47 (9 overs), Tabraiz Shamsi- 2/42 (10 overs) Key Moments Cotezee strikes again Cotezee gets his first second as Inglis departs on 28. Cotezee strikes Cotezee gets his first as Smith departs on 30. Shamsi strikes again Shamsi strikes once more as Maxwell departs on 1. Shamsi strikes Tabraiz Shamsi gets his first as Labuschange departs on 18. Maharaj strikes Maharaj gets his first as Head departs on 62. 50 for Head Travis Head continues his attack, as he gets to his 50. Rabada joins the party Kagiso Rabada gets his first, as Marsh departs on 0. Markram strikes Aiden Markram draws first blood as Warner departs on 29. 50 partnership up Fifty partnership up for Warner and Head as Australia off to a fiery start. Cummins finishes off things Cummins gets his third wicket to finish up the South African innings. Cummins gets the big fish Pat Cummins strikes big as David Miller departs on 101. Killer Miller David Miller completes his first World Cup century in 115 balls. Strac strikes again Mitchell Starc gets his third as Maharaj departs on 4. Cummins with his first Cummins gets his first wicket as Coetzee departs on 19. Lone ranger David Miller fighting alone, as he completes his 50. Head strikes twice Travis Head gets two in two as South Africa is now 6 down. 50 partnership up Miller and Klassen completes their 50-runs partnership. Back-to-back maidens Josh Hazelwood still keeping things tight with back-to-back maiden overs Hazelwood with his second Hazwelood strikes again as Van der Dussan departs on 6. Starc gets his second Strac strikes again as Markram departs on 10. Hazelwood gets the big fish Josh Hazelwood strikes as in-form De Kock departs on 3. Starc strikes early Mitchell track draws first blood as Bavuma departs on 0. Match preview Both South Africa and Australia have been in incredible form during the league stages, winning 7 out of their 9 games and finishing in the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively. Will third time be the charm for #SouthAfrica as they face #Australia in the semifinal of #CWC23 or will the Aussies continue their run of form & book their place in yet another #CWC final? Tune-in to Semi-Final 2 #SAvAUS THU, 16 NOV, 12 PM | Star Sports Network#WorldCupOnStar pic.twitter.com/tNfxMw1OnD — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 13, 2023 South Africa has been the most destructive side with the bat in the tournament, going past 300 runs in every match they have batted first. The stats are exactly the opposite when chasing where the team lost the two matches they lost in the league stages. In batting, they are supported by the incredible form of Quinton de Kock, Henric Klassen, Van der Dussan and Aiden Markram, while in bowling, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj have been their lead. The Proteas, on Thursday, will be looking to clear the title of chokers from them by reaching the World Cup finals for the first time ever. On the other hand, Australia, on Thursday, will find themselves on familiar grounds, i.e., the World Cup semifinals. The five-time champions have qualified for the semifinals 8 times before and have qualified for the finals 7 times out of that, and they will be trying to reach a record-extending 8th final of the ICC World Cup. The Aussies have a strong batting line-up, with David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, and Travis Head leading the top order, while Smith and Maxwell to ensure a strong middle order. The bowling department of the five-time champions has been a little out of shape as, except for Adam Zampa, no other bowler have looked dangerous enough for the opponents. However, whatever happened before will not be having any effects as whatever happens on Thursday, will dictate whether they will be playing the finals against the hosts India on Sunday or will be taking an early flight home on Friday.
