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
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing
Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
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:
OUT! David Warner b Aiden Markam 29 (18), Australia 60-1 (6.1)
With his very first ball!
Golden arm! I mentioned earlier that this might be the gambit if Australia got off to a flyer, and Aiden Markam has delivered for his captain. He throws one up on the fuller side and David Warner doesn’t get his footwork right, exposing his stumps and playing a bit of a nothing shot. The death rattle sounds - how South Africa need that!
Australia 60-0 (6), Head 25, Warner 29, Aiden Markram 0-0 (0) (target 213)
At this same stage, South Africa were 8-2. Can Aiden Markram break this partnership with his off-breaks?
Australia 60-0 (6), Head 25, Warner 29, Rabada 0-32 (3) (target 213)
Temba Bavuma calls in Quinton de Kock and Keshav Maharaj for a chat before Kagiso Rabada’s next over, two previous ODI captains aiding the current skipper as they bid to stem the flow.
But David Warner is on the rampage! He swipes a Rabada slower ball over mid-off for six, and Rabada’s overstep then grants him the freedom to get down on one knee and scoop sweep a free hit over the legside boundary for a half-dozen more!
What hitting! Travis Head smashes the third six of the over to cow corner as Rabada shakes his head.
Australia 39-0 (5), Head 18, Warner 17, Jansen 0-27 (3) (target 213)
And this is the intent that South Africa seemed to lack - Travis Head twice slaps Marco Jansen through mid-on, the bottom hand prominent in both an aerial lift and an along-the-ground thwack as Jansen hits a slightly wider line.
Gorgeous! David Warner joins his partner in tucking in, a pick-up flick off his hips delectably timed.
Australia are the second fastest starters in the competition - only India (6.87) better there run rate of 6.46 in the first ten overs at this World Cup.
Australia 24-0 (4), Head 9, Warner 11, Rabada 0-12 (2) (target 213)
No further score from the over but Australia don’t need to go looking for scoring options. This will be a pleasing start for Pat Cummins and co. on the balcony - you feel that South Africa have to get at least two in the powerplay to have a hope.
SIX! Australia 24-0 (3.4), Head 9, Warner 11, Rabada 0-12 (1.2) (target 213)
Large! Kagiso Rabada misses short for the first time and the pugnacious David Warner is typically quick with his left hook, swivelling into a shot that sails some 15 rows back over long leg.
Australia 17-0 (3), Head 8, Warner 5, Jansen 0-12 (2) (target 213)
Marco Jansen has had a good tournament but the young all-rounder is still a work in progress, just battling to settle in to a line and length. Thrice Quinton de Kock lunges to gather down leg as the umpire’s arms spread akimbo to signal a wide.
That’s better, a hint of movement back in to go past the inside edge of David Warner’s bat. If Jansen can get the ball there consistently, this pitch and his natural gifts will do the rest.
Australia 14-0 (2.1), Head 8, Warner 5, Jansen 0-9 (1.1) (target 213)
Yep, Australia are prepared to be proactive. David Warner faces his first ball from Marco Jansen and immediately climbs into him, throwing his hands through the shot as he drives at a ball pushed ever-so-slightly too full. He’s not in full control, but the connection is good enough to send the ball flying over point.
Australia 10-0 (2), Head 8, Warner 1, Kagiso Rabada 0-5 (1) (target 213)
Ball two is straighter but rears up at Warner, slamming int othe handle and away through the gully for a single with the batter shakking a sore paw. He’s off the mark, though.
Nicked but safe! Rabada is right amongst things here, drawing the edge of Travis Head from an in-between length but watching it sail wide of the two slips placed adjacent to the wicketkeeper. Third man can’t cut it off - four runs.
More solid thereafter from Head.
Australia 5-0 (1.1), Head 4, Warner 0, Kagiso Rabada 0-0 (0.1) (target 213)
And, as expected, it will be Kagiso Rabada to take the new ball alongside Jansen. Two slips and a reasonably tight backward point waiting for a skew off the outside half of David Warner’s bat, which is beaten as Rabada angles his first ball across the leftie from over the wicket.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies