South Africa vs Australia LIVE: World Cup result and reaction as Cummins and Starc lead Aussies to victory

Australia beat South Africa by three wickets and reach World Cup final

Captain Pat Cummins on Australia's form ahead of South Africa world cup semi final

Australia will face India in the Cricket World Cup final after overcoming South Africa at Eden Gardens winning their semi-final clash by three wickets.

Proteas captain, Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat only for South Africa to slip to 24-4 as Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc stuck early with the new ball. David Miller recovered the innings with a stylish century finishing with 101 runs as South Africa set a target of 213.

In reply, David Warner and Travis Head got the Aussies off to a flying start, putting on 60 for the first wicket. When Warner was dismissed for 29, Mitchell Marsh quickly followed and wickets continued to fall making Australia’s run chase a tense affair. Gerald Coetzee struck twice late in the innings leaving it to Starc and Pat Cummins to knock off the winning runs.

Australia advance to the tournament showpiece but face India who have yet to lose in this year’s competition and are favourites to claim the title of World Champions.

Relive the semi-final action below and get the latest odds and tips right here:

South Africa vs Australia live

• South Africa face Australia in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals
• South Africa won the toss, chose to bat and were bowled out for 212
• Australia reach target with three wickets remaining
• OUT! David Warner b Markam 29 (18), Australia 60-1 (6.1)
• OUT! Mitchell Marsh c van der Dussen b Rabada 0 (6), Australia 61-2 (7.4)
• OUT! Travis Head b Maharaj 62 (48), Australia 106-3 (14.1)
• OUT! Marnus Labuschagne lbw b Shamsi 18 (31), Australia 133-4 (21.5)
• OUT! Glenn Maxwell b Shamsi 1 (5), Australia 137-5 (23.4)
• OUT! Steven Smith c †de Kock b Coetzee 30 (62), Australia 174-6 (33.3)
• OUT! Josh Inglis b Coetzee 28 (49), Australia 193-7 (39.5)

[16 November 2023 17:24 · Sonia Twigg]

Australia hold nerve against South Africa fightback to reach eighth Cricket World Cup final

Australia survived a determined South African resistance to secure a place in the Cricket World Cup final with a thrilling three-wicket win in a low-scoring but entertaining semi-final.

The two semi-finals could not have been more different. In Mumbai, India blew New Zealand away with their batting prowess, and dominated with skilful bowling, while both teams in Kolkata had to dig in and battle in the bowling-friendly conditions.

David Miller’s century dragged South Africa back from the brink of the early exit that looked all but certain as they crumbled to 24 for four against the Australian openers in the first innings. But Miller’s 101 led them to a below-par total of 212, and it was close to proving enough.

South Africa may be left to consider what could have been. There were at least four crucial drops, including one off Pat Cummins with just nine runs needed for Australia, and numerous more half-chances that fell agonisingly short of fielders.

Overall, it was a resolute effort for a side that never gave up, but it was Australia who batted well enough to secure the victory and have booked their place in their eighth Cricket World Cup final, will take on India in Ahmedabad on 19 November.

[16 November 2023 18:45 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

The Cricket World Cup has been a huge disappointment – now it must fight for its future

Two compelling semi-finals have teed up a mouthwatering decider, but was a drawn-out and at times dull group stage worth it? Not according to The Independent’s Sonia Twigg – and that could have major ramifications with the future of the ODI game under threat.

[16 November 2023 18:35 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A look at the data behind Virat Kohli’s record 50 ODI centuries

It really is a remarkable achievement, a ravenous run-scorer putting his lean spell most certainly behind him with a superlative tournament to become the first batter to score 50 ODI centuries.

[16 November 2023 18:25 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

‘It feels like a dream’: Virat Kohli reacts to record-breaking ODI ton in Cricket World Cup semi-final

Virat Kohli has hailed his record-breaking 50th one day international (ODI) hundred as the “stuff of dreams” after powering India to a mammoth total in their Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

The 35-year-old surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 49 ODI tons to take the record outright.

Kohli’s third hundred of the tournament helped India to a score of 397/4 off of their 50 overs in Mumbai.

The record-setting knock came exactly ten years after Tendulkar’s international farewell at the Wankhede Stadium, with the “Little Master” in attendance to watch his mark be surpassed.

And Kohli paid tribute to his “hero” after making history.

[16 November 2023 18:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andrew Flintoff appointed head coach of the Northern Superchargers

Away from the World Cup, Andrew Flintoff has been appointed head coach of the Northern Superchargers in the men’s Hundred as he continues his recovery from a major car crash while filming Top Gear last year. Flintoff, a close friend of England managing director Rob Key, will also assist the England Lions this winter.

[16 November 2023 18:05 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Babar Azam steps down from Pakistan captaincy after Cricket World Cup

Major change is afoot with Pakistan, meanwhile, with confirmation yesterday that Babar Azam has relinquished the captaincy across formats. Shan Masood will take over the Test team with Shaheen Shah Afridi installed as T20I captain, while the entirety of the coaching staff has been removed as former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez takes on a new role.

[16 November 2023 17:56 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Jos Buttler admits to ‘mistakes’ during England’s World Cup campaign

Jos Buttler has vowed to learn from his “mistakes” after returning home from England’s calamitous World Cup filled with “sadness and frustration”.

Pre-tournament predictions of the defending champions making a deep run in India went out of the window as England faltered alarmingly, losing six of their first seven matches – often by yawning margins.

Beating the Netherlands and Pakistan to secure a place in the 2025 Champions Trophy could not mask a hugely disappointing campaign and Buttler has accepted responsibility for his own shortcomings.

[16 November 2023 17:49 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Why India are under fire over pitch change controversy ahead of Cricket World Cup final

Questions are being asked, though, over a late decision to move yesterday’s semi-final from a fresh track to a used pitch, seemingly at the request of the India team and without the agreement of the ICC, as Sakshi Gupta explains.

[16 November 2023 17:42 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Rohit Sharma glad India ‘could get the job done’ against New Zealand

And Rohit Sharma was one happy captain after his side continued their unbeaten run to set up a tilt at a World Cup crown.

[16 November 2023 17:35 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

India to take on Australia in World Cup final

What a final that should be: the best side in the tournament against the most successful side in World Cup history, arguably the two biggest beasts of the men’s game meeting in Ahmedabad in front of what is likely to be a record crowd for the World Cup decider.

Here’s how India got there: