The game against South Africa made sure that Australia played against India in the coveted World Cup Final.
By winning the semifinals with only three wickets against South Africa, Australia has secured a face-off against Virat Kohlu and team India for the cricket world cup trophy.
In the midst of the tense environment at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, Australia managed to get 215 for 7 wickets after having limited South Africa to only 212 with David Miller’s courageous 101 runs.
Travis Head scored 62 runs to start off Australia’s rock and roll, but then the fiver times champs faced a few hiccups that put them in trouble.
However, South Africa prevented them from growing up while Australia finally nailed it courtesy of a valuable duo consisting of Steve (30) and Josh (28).
Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, praised his team’s overall performance, especially their bowling and fielding, which was highly criticized after the other matches.
There were lots of fine performances, and it was a great day’s work. I’m pretty pumped,” he said.
Perhaps we started off with a questionable fielding. So, all tried today. What is going on? It’s not only Warner, 37, sliding all over the grass!
Previously, Temba Bavuma’s choice of batting in a cloudy sky led south Africa to score 24-4 in only twelve overs which were halted by light drizzles.
Heads partnership with Marsh of 128 runs resulted in the arrest of the slide, however, Head’s two wickets, caused a reclaim of the Australian lead.
Miller hit a massive six off Cummins to reach a century but was caught out on the boundary-line with another swing.
However, Australia began by burning through 60 runs when 10 overs were complete and Warner smacked four sixes at 29.
Just one Markram delivery came after the introduction of spin by Bavuma in the seventh over.
However, South Africans’ fielding was not very satisfactory and Head profited from this instance thrice on either side of his fifty.
In this game, even though it seemed like Australia was steaming towards a victory, the South African spinners offered some refreshing blood.
Tabraiz shamsi took out his head in the front, while labuschagne and maxwell fell victim to Keshav Maharaj’s hand.
South Africa persisted and three fifties were added on their tally board with Steve Smith making 30 and Josh Inglis contributing twenty eight. However, Cummins worked in conjunction with Starc to eliminate the Proteases and make sure that Australia victoriously did away with the Proteas.
On Wednesday, India defeated New Zealand at the first semi-final and booked a slot for the grand finale which will be held at Ahmedabad on Sunday.
First of all, it is important to mention that Australia will be looking to defend its fifth consecutive world cup title, while India will aim to win its third crown in the 50-over competition.
The end of that game was very gripping as an incredible match. “It’s difficult to get untangled from it all,” commented matchwinner, Head.
We played a bit differently. It was hard, it was a battle, but we knew this.
He stated that he could not wait to test himself as against India.
They have an incredulous attack, but that’s what playing is all about. He stated, “I would never have thought that I would be part of the World Cup final against an incredible team.”
According to cummins, his team would approach the Sunday final with confidence.
Few of us have already experienced being in such finals. The only one thing you should do is to accept it. I imagine as it’s going to be a very busy day.”
On the other hand, South Africa has failed to win any of the five semifinals they have played in.
“That was quite hard to put into words”, Bavuma commented in a dejected tone. “Our character came through. It was a dog fight.
“Perhaps it was due how we played using a bat and a ball in the beginning. We truly messed up this position.”