The Proteas again get choked against the Aussies during the SA vs AUS CWC 2023 semi-final. Unfortunately, South Africa could not shed their “chokers” tag to qualify for their first World Cup final. Additionally, this is the 8th World Cup final for Australia.
Australia pulled a 3-wicket win in this crucial match under the most difficult batting conditions.
Moreover, this is the 7th time South Africa has been eliminated from the World Cup knockout stages.
South Africa was not in their best form with the bat, unlike their exceptional performance in the league matches of this tournament. The pitch conditions at Eden Gardens, Kolkata was a tough challenge for batsmen during both the innings.
SA vs AUS CWC 2023 semi-final: Important Highlights for Aussies’ entry into Finals
South African skipper Temba Bavuma’s decision to bat first, completely backfired South Africa’s winning chances.
Usually, the pitch conditions at this venue, favor the teams batting first. However, both the teams batting at Eden Gardens had to experience the most formidable challenges while batting during the 1st and 2nd innings of the match.
SOUTH AFRICA BATTING:
South Africa’s batting during the 1st innings, suffered with a collapsing start. The early pressure on the South African batsmen during the semi-finals made them score their lowest total of this tournament while batting first.
Poor start for the Proteas during the SA vs AUS CWC 2023 semi-final:
The Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were completely dominant during the start. Here are the early collapses of the South African top-performing batsmen:
- Temba Bavuma ( 0 from 4 balls): At 1-1 in 0.6 overs.
- Quinton de Kock ( 3 runs from 14 balls): At 8-2 in 5.4 overs.
- Aiden Markram ( 10 runs from 20 balls – including 2 fours): At 22-3 in 10.5 overs
- Van der Dussen ( 6 runs from 31 balls): At 24-4 in 11.5 overs
South Africa with a poor beginning to the semi-final, was terrorized by the strong bowling attack of the Aussies. At a certain point, it seemed impossible for South Africa to make a 3-digit score against the Aussies.
Also, South Africa with a score of 18-2 in the first 10 overs, registered the 4th lowest powerplay score in World Cups.
The slight rains during the 14th over forced the match officials to halt the game for some time. Due to the rains, the enhanced moisture on this pitch assisted the Australian bowlers to grab wickets instantaneously.
Proteas comeback during the 1st innings of SA vs AUS CWC 2023 semi-final:
However, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller maintained a steady 91-run partnership. This partnership avoided the embarrassment of South Africa falling into the trap of a double-digit score.
Travis Head was successful in dismissing Heinrich Klaasen after a steady performance of 47 runs from 48 balls (including 4 fours and 2 sixes).
Ultimately, David Miller’s century rescued South Africa to reach an average total of 212-10 in 49.4 overs.
David Miller’s rescuing performance of 101 runs from 116 balls ( 8 fours and 5 sixes), kept South Africa’s hopes in check for qualifying the finals of this tournament.
Aussies’ Aggressive bowling performance during the 1st innings of SA vs AUS CWC 2023 semi-final:
Here is the most aggressive bowling performance by the Aussies, that prevented the Proteas from scoring above 300 runs in the 1st innings for the first time in this tournament.
- Mitchell Starc: 34-3 in 10 overs ( includes 1 maiden over)
- Josh Hazlewood: 12-2 in 8 overs (includes 3 maiden overs)
- Pat Cummins: 51-3 in 9.4 overs.
- Travis Head: 21-2 in 5 overs.
AUSTRALIA BATTING:
Unlike South Africa, Australian openers David Warners and Travis Head were set off to a great start. David Warner (29 runs from 18 balls- including 1 four and 4 sixes) and Mitchell Marsh (0 runs from 6 balls) were dismissed early during the 6th and 7th over.
But, Australia’s powerplay score of 74-2 in 10 overs, enhanced their winning chances on a tricky pitch to chase the target.
Travis Head after scoring a fantastic half-century of 62 runs from 48 balls (including 9 fours and 2 sixes), was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj during the 14th over.
After taking the crucial wicket of Travis Head, the South African bowlers slowly took the match into their control.
Australian batsmen such as Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Josh Inglis were unable to maintain a steady partnership.
Additionally, the crucial wicket of Glenn Maxwell after scoring just 1 run further risked the chances of Australia to qualify for the finals.
At 193-7 in 39.5 overs, South Africa just needed to grab 3 wickets to qualify for the finals.
With just 20 runs required from the 61 balls, the Aussies were conscious to retain their wickets by not playing any aggressive shots.
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, with less experience with the bat, had to play more dot balls by holding their wickets.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins scored 14 runs from 29 balls (including 2 fours). Whereas, Mitchell Starc’s conscious performance of 16 runs from 38 balls assisted Pat Cummings.
Finally, Australia chased the target of 215 runs with a 3-wicket win and 16 balls to spare.
Cummins and Starc’s partnership of 22 runs from 45 balls, guided Australia to the finals of the ICC World Cup 2023 in tense-filled moments.
Overall Facts about SA vs AUS CWC 2023 semi-final
David Miller’s century in a crucial match, finally went in vain as the Proteas failed to shed their chokers tag.
Despite South Africa performing well in the league matches with 2nd position in the points table of CWC 2023, they have once again surrendered themselves in the knockouts.
For the 3rd time, South Africa lost to Australia in the World Cup semi-finals.
Once again, India and Australia encounter each other in the World Cup 2023 finals.
It would be the most challenging task for the Aussies to defeat the unbeaten team in this tournament to win their 6th World Cup title.
