CWC2023: Head , bowlers propel Australia to their 8th WC final with a close win vs South Africa

 

Australia vs South Africa  are more often than not are gripping world cup games and so it proved to be another tight game at the Eden Gardens  . After dominating the South African batting , Australia middle order created a hole for themselves after a great start by openers , only to be bailed out by their bowlers with the bat .

It turned out to be a great toss to lose for Australia.   South Africa  expectedly batted first but the cloudy overhead conditions and cool weather helped the Aussie  quicks to move the ball and bowl tight lengths . Starc had Bavuma (0) caught behind to a ball that nibbled away and Hazlewood after his relentless tight length finally had a frustrated DeKock (3) sky a pull to Cummins in his last ODI innings.  

Van Dussen's  (6 off 31 balls) misery was ended by Hazlewood as Smith took a high catch , while Markram (10) was caught at gully off Starc as South Africa sank to 24/4 in just 12 overs .

It was tough to resurrect a team from such a poor powerplay but Miller and Klaasen played superbly, waiting for loose balls and taking singles at other times . Both gradually opened up and started hitting boundaries and huge sixes.  Klaasen (47) finally was bowled by Head after looking  dangerous and that was a big scalp for Aussies .

Jansen was lbw to Head 1st ball and it was now upto young Gerald Coertzee to give Miller support. 

Coertzee added a crucial 53 with Miller who was going great guns . Miller hit 8 fours and 5 sixes while batting brilliantly to rescue the Proteas somewhat .

Coetzee's (19) long vigil was ended by Cummins who combined with Starc to quickly end the South African innings but not before Miller hit a brilliant pulled 6 to complete his 100 but was out soon after to Cummins . 

After Miller (101) dismissal , the South African innings ended in a hurry at 213 all out . For the Aussies Cummins and Starc took 3 wickets each while Hazlewood & Head took 2 wickets apiece . Maxwell bowled tightly but Zampa was expensive.  

Chasing 213 the Aussie openers specially Warner started in blistering fashion . Warner hit 4 sixes as he was looking ominous when Markram  bowled him for a quickfire 29 off 18 balls . However Head looked in great form as he was smacking the ball with disdain as Australia reached 70 plus within powerplay .

Meanwhile Marsh (0) was brilliantly caught by Van Dussen at cover off Rabada which brought Steve Smith who was going to have a steadier role. 

Head was bowled brilliantly by Maharaj through the gate for 62 . Now Smith and Labuschagne got into a 27 run stand before Labuschagne (18)  played a poor reverse sweep for 18 off Shamsi  who soon had Maxwell (1) playing a horrendous pull to be bowled . 

Josh Inglis had a steady partnership of 37 with Smith before Smith (30)  played a horrendous pull shot off Coetzee which exposed the bowlers .

Inglis batted with Starc for a while before he got a brute of a yorker from Coetzee for 28 . This brought Starc (16*) and Cummins (16*) together and both played sensibly from there to complete the win finally for 3 wickets with 16 balls to spare in a very tense  finish.  

For South Africa, Coetzee  bowled his heart out to get 2 wickets despite getting cramps . Shamsi also took 2 while the economical Maharaj , Markram & Rabada took one wicket each .

Travis Head for his breathtaking 62 runs and 2 wickets was the player of the match . 

Australia thus reached their 8th final in ODI Wotld cups having won 5 times . This time they will face hot favourites India as all the roads will lead to Ahmedabad for the grand finale on 19th November.