SA vs AUS Highlights: Australia advanced to their eighth Cricket World Cup final after defeating South Africa in a low-scoring thriller at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing a low score of 213, Australia’s top 3 played brisk innings. However, the Proteas made a comeback in the middle overs with few wickets. Skipper Pat Cummins and pacer Mitchell Starc held their nerves in the end and took the team home.
Travis Head was the top scorer for the Men in Yellow with a 48-ball 62. For South Africa, Tabraiz Shamsi and Gerlad Coetzee were the pick of the bowlers as they picked 2 wickets each.
Earlier, David Miller scored a gritty century as South Africa got bundled out for 212 in 49.4 overs on a tricky Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata. Miller arrived at the crease when SA were 4 down. The batter then built a crucial 95-run partnership with Heinrich Klaasen to steady the innings. However, Travis Head struck twice in one over to pull Australia back in the game. For Australia, skipper Pat Cummins and pacer Mitchell Starc picked 3 wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head grabbed 2 wickets each.
Australia will now face host India in the World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.
South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
Australia Playing XI: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood