In a nail-biting second semi-final at Eden Gardens, Australia clinched their place in the ICC World Cup final for the eighth time, leaving South Africa to wait for their chance for another four years.
The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with nearly 50,000 spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the match. While it wasn’t a flawless display of one-day cricket, the game was filled with errors and excitement, showcasing the impact of pressure on even the most seasoned players.
Australia took control early on, setting the tone for the match. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood’s formidable opening spell, coupled with agile fielding from players like David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, left South Africa struggling in the opening Powerplay.
Despite concerns about Temba Bavuma’s fitness, the Proteas’ captain lasted only three balls before edging behind Starc, triggering a collapse that saw South Africa reeling at 24/4. Rebounding from this position in a World Cup semi-final seemed nearly impossible, especially against a determined Australian side.
David Miller provided a glimmer of hope for South Africa with a resilient solo effort, scoring 101 off 138 balls and guiding his team to a total of 212.
In response, Australia’s opening pair, Travis Head and David Warner, started strong, putting up 60 runs in just 60.1 overs. However, Bavuma’s tactical move to introduce part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram proved effective, as Markram dismissed Warner with his first ball.
South Africa seized the opportunity, with Tabraiz Shamsi taking the wickets of Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj further fueled South Africa’s comeback, reducing Australia to 193/7 with just three wickets remaining.
Gerald Coetzee’s fearless bowling induced a false shot from Steve Smith, and he followed it up by breaching Josh Inglis’ defenses. With Australia at 193/7 and still 20 runs behind, South Africa believed they could stage a comeback.
However, Australia’s experience in crucial moments shone through once again. Despite South Africa’s spirited effort, Australia secured victory with three wickets in hand, now eyeing their possible sixth World Cup title. South Africa, though falling short once more, can take solace in their contribution to yet another thrilling semi-final.
Scorecard:
South Africa: 212 all out (Miller 101, Klaasen 47, Starc 3/47, Cummins 3/51)
Australia: 215/7 (Head 62, Smith 30, Shamsi 2/42, Coetzee 2/47)
Australia won by 3 wickets