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In the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, South Africa and Australia squared off in the second semi-final to earn a matchup against India in the finals. South Africa was restricted to just 212 runs as Australian pacers wreaked havoc on the Proteas’ batters. After winning the toss, South Africa decided to bat first and made two changes to their starting lineup. Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen entered the team in place of Andile Phehlukwayo and Lungi Ngidi. Australia also made two changes to their roster, starting Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc in place of Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott. Here is a recap of the first innings.
South Africa troubled by Australian pacers
Temba Bavuma, the South African captain, was dismissed by Mitchell Starc in the first over following a string of subpar performances by the left-arm pacer. Starc and Josh Hazlewood controlled the scoring, giving up only seven runs in four overs (2–5). Quinton de Kock played a false shot as a result of the absence of runs. Hazlewood’s sixth over ended in a wicket-maiden over. Starc brought another maiden over from the other end in response. In the ninth over of the game, Aiden Markram smashed the first four. After the powerplay, South Africa managed to score eighteen runs at a cost of two wickets.
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Markram was dismissed by Starc in the eleventh over. Hazlewood removed Rassie van der Dussen from the game in the next over. In 31 balls, Van der Dussen scored six runs. In the 14th over, Pat Cummins entered the attack and was hit by Heinrich Klassen and David Miller for four consecutive runs. There was a 40-minute delay in play after the 14th over due to rain.
Miller and Klassen provide some support
After the rain break, Adam Zampa entered the attack and bowled a quiet over that scored two runs. Hazlewood returned to the attack as well, taking the lead with a maiden from the other end. In the 17th over, David Miller displayed some aggression by hitting a six over deep mid-wicket off of Zampa’s bowling. In the game, Hazlewood bowled his third maiden over. In the 19th over, Miller hit another six off Zampa’s bowling. When Cummins returned to the attack, Miller smacked him for a four.
In the 21st over, Glenn Maxwell entered the attack in place of Zampa. The all-rounder from Australia bowled neatly, giving up only four runs in his opening three overs. Together, Maxwell and Cummins bowled six overs (21-26) for just 14 runs.
In the 27th over, Zampa came in to replace Maxwell following a costly opening session. Klassen welcomed him with two sixes. With Cummins out of the picture, Maxwell adjusted his bowling end to terminate the tiresome fifth wicket stand. Zampa was hammered for six more by Miller, who continued to be an expensive bowler.
Head’s double strike put South Africa in the backseat
In the 31st over, Travis Head came in for Zampa and had an immediate impact. After two straight fours, Klassen welcomed the part-time spinner, but the 29-year-old got the last laugh by dismissing Klassen. Klassen scored 47 runs in 48 balls, hitting two sixes and four fours, during an important innings. After taking Klassen’s wicket, Head proceeded to remove Marco Jansen from the game with the next delivery. Miller hit a four off Maxwell’s bowling in the next over to complete his half-century.
Bowling calm overs, Maxwell and Head gave up just 16 runs in five overs (33–37). In the 39th over, Starc came in for Head and was hit for a four. In the 40th over, Maxwell conceded just two runs in his final over of bowling. The all-rounder from Australia ended with the figures of 10-0-35-0. After just one over, Head returned to the attack, taking Starc’s place.
Miller continues to attack despite wickets falling at the other end
With just one over gone, Cummins changed bowlers again, replacing Head with the leg spinner, bringing Zampa back into the attack. Zampa’s suffering versus Miller persisted as the lethal hitter smacked him for a six. Gerald Coetzee was finally removed by Cummins in the 44th over, giving him his first wicket of the innings. Zampa’s seventh over went for eight runs as Miller hit him for a four. Miller struck another four off Cummin’s bowling and moved into the 90s. Starc came back into the attack in the 47th over and dismissed Keshav Maharaj to pick up his third wicket of the match. Miller hit a six on the first ball of the following over to complete his century. The middle-order batter completed his ton in 115 balls. He was dismissed on the next ball by Cummins after scoring 101 runs in 116 balls hitting eight fours and five sixes.