Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets in the second semi-final of the ICC men’s World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to qualify for the final. They will face India at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the trophy. Thursday it was a low scoring duel between two semifinalists – Australia and South Africa, and the proteas choked again on the big state. Playing the WC final still remained a dream for the green Brigade. As the most successful team ever in the World Cup history, Australia will play their eighth World cup final for their sixth WC title.
The proteas, who finished second in the group stage, batted first in Kolkata against the Kangaroos, who bagged the same points but were third with a lesser Net Run Rate. From the very first over South Africa started to lose wickets. Stark striked first picking Bavuma (0). Hazlewood got de Kock (3). Soon Markram (10) and van der Dussen (6) returned to the pavilion. After 12th over South Africa was 24 for 4. Then Klaasen (47 off 48) and Miller built a 95-run partnership. Miller scored a crucial century – 101 runs off 116 balls. But after Klaasen got out, their was no one to support him. The Proteas were bundled for 212 in 49.4 overs. Strac and Cummins each got 3 wickets. Hazlewood and Head both picked 2 wickets each.
Chasing 213, David Warner (29 off 18 balls) and Travis Head (62 off 48 balls) gave aussies a good start. But Mitchell Marsh (0), Marnus Labuschagne (18), Glenn Maxwell (1) got out early. Australia became 137 for 5. Then Steven Smith (30 off 62 balls) played dependable partnership with Josh Inglis (28 off 49 balls). With a close contest they won the semifinal by 3 wickets. Gerald Coetzee ans Shamsi both got 2 wickets each. Maharaj, Markram and Rabada all got 1 wicket each. At last Mitchell Starc (16* off 38 balls) and Pat Cummins (14* off 29 balls) guided Australia to victory over South Africa to play the final against India on Sunday.