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South Africa vs Australia, ICC CWC, 2023 Full score card

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2nd Semi-Final, Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 16 Nov, 2023

South Africa

SA

212/10

(49.4) overs

Australia

AUS

215/7

(47.2) overs

Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets

Player Of The Match

Travis Head,
Australia
Australia
Summary
Scorecard
Commentary
News
Australia
South Africa

Australia • 215/7 (47.2 overs)

T Head 62 (48)

S Smith 30 (62)

T Shamsi 2/42 (10)

G Coetzee 2/47 (9)

South Africa • 212/10 (49.4 overs)

D Miller 101 (116)

H Klaasen 47 (48)

M Starc 3/34 (10)

P Cummins 3/51 (9.4)

Commentary

45 group stage games, 2 semifinals and it all comes down to this! The two of the greatest white-ball teams in the history of cricket, India and Australia will meet in the Final of the 2023 World Cup and will end their journey just like they started - against each other. It will be a repeat of the 2003 final with India looking for their third World Cup crown and Australia looking to take their record of most ODI World Cups to six. That grand finale will take place at the 'new colosseum of cricket' - the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with more than 1,30,000 fans in the stadium and millions watching across the globe. That game will be played on Sunday, the 19th of November and will begin at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT). However, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. So, mark your calendars and free your schedules as this is going to be a monumental clash. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Australia's skipper Pat Cummins says that it is much easier out there than sitting in the dugout. Mentions that it was a great effort with plenty of good performances. Shares that they thought it was going to spin quite a bit and felt that high 200s could be tricky. States that he was not too upset about losing the toss due to the gloomy weather. Tells that fielding is something they talk a lot about. On Travis Head, he says that his contribution was crazy and he has the knack of finding wickets. On Josh Inglis, he says that he looked in total control against two really good spinners. Feels that it is a good thing that few of the guys have played an ODI World Cup final before and some have played the T20 World Cup final. Ends by saying that it will be special to lead the team out and it will be one of his career highlights.

Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa starts by congratulating Australia and says that they were for a very large part of the game, world-class. Adds that their character came through in the second half and it became a bit of a dog fight and because they lost early wickets, they always had to play catch up. Mentions that the conditions coupled with the abilities of Mitchell Starc and others, Australia bowled well and when you are 24/4 it is always going to be difficult. Says that they gained a bit of momentum with the partnership and would have liked for Heinrich Klaasen to go on for a bit longer but the way David Miller played speaks a lot not just about his abilities with the bat but his mental abilities as well. Adds that it was certainly competitive but would have liked to start better with the ball but the bowlers came into the play well and put the opposition under pressure but needed a lot more things to go their way. Mentions that they had a few difficult chances go down and a few chances falling just short but it doesn't take away from the way Australia played. On Gerald Coetzee, he says that as a young guy, he really was a warrior for them and got them back in the game and didn't want to let go of the ball and will be an asset for the future. On Quinton de Kock he says that he had an amazing tournament and would have wanted to end things on a high but will remember the fight they put in and in South Africa, he will go down as a legend

Travis Head is the Player of the Match for his quickfire fifty at the top and his exploits with the ball. Head says that it is hard to unpack all of that. Adds that he and Josh Hazlewood did not move in the last couple of hours. Mentions that they knew how it was going to play and had three or four days to think about it. Shares that the wickets have been unbelievable throughout the tournament and adds that they knew it was going to be a battle. On his fractured hand, he says that he thought he was not going to be here but feels happy to contribute for Australia. On Heinrich Klaasen's wicket, he says that he is an unbelievable player and Klaasen put him under the pump with two boundaries. Further adds that he is not sure how it got through him. States that it is important to be prepared and to be ready to roll the arm over. Feels disappointed to get out the way he did more so because it was a matchup against the left-arm spin. Ends by saying that India have an unbelievable attack and he never dreamed of being in a World Cup final against the team of the tournament so far.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Temba Bavuma won a crucial toss and opted to bat first on a dry wicket but with the overcast conditions, the Australian pace attack put on a big performance early on as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ripped through the South African top order and had them reeling at 24/4. Then came the match-turning stand between Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller worth 95 runs and at that point it looked like South Africa would get to 250. Klaasen got out at the wrong time as Travis Head picked up a couple of quick wickets but Miller put on a real show to become the first South African to score a ton in a World Cup knockout game. Adam Zampa had an off day with the ball but Pat Cummins picked up wickets at the death and ensured South Africa were bowled out for a meager total. Coming to the chase, it was fast and furious at the top but then as the dust settled it went on to become a real World Cup classic with Australia coming out on top once again.

Everyone has heard of the 'American dream' but it is the 'South African dream' that was once again broken and Quinton de Kock's last ever game for his country has ended up in a tearful and heartbreaking way. They didn't have many runs to defend and the pacers were lackluster early on, giving Australia the advantage but Aiden Markram broke the crucial opening stand and Kagiso Rabada too redeemed himself with a wicket. The spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi bowled extremely well in tandem and never let Australia off the hook, eventually managing to make a dent in that middle order. With the required runs drying out, they gave it their all and Gerald Coetzee bowled his heart out, consistently bowling upwards of 145 clicks and he got the wickets of Steven Smith and Josh Inglis to give South Africa half a chance. It wasn't meant to be though as a few tough dropped chances coupled with the poor batting display was enough for them to be sent packing at the semifinal stage once again.

A chase of just 213 runs, the number that Australia scored in that famous tied semifinal of 1999, became a really bumpy one. David Warner and Travis Head recognized the occasion and broke the back of the chase with a quickfire 60-run stand in just 6.1 overs. Warner fell and Mitchell Marsh soon followed suit but Head got a crucial 62 at the top. The experienced pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith played the Proteas spinners with respect and just about kept the scoreboard ticking but Marnus played a poor shot to allow the opposition an opening. Glenn Maxwell played his way and got out soon after and then it was an under-fire Josh Inglis who joined Smith at the crease. Two seemed to be strolling along before Smith played an uncharacteristic shot to get out. Inglis toiled hard but he too fell with still 30 or so runs required. The dynamic duo with the ball - Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc turned heroes with the bat for Australia as they fended off a barrage of seam and spin to eventually get their team over the line.

THE MIGHTY AUSSIES FROM DOWN UNDER, STORM INTO THE FINAL! The Australian skipper fittingly hits the winning runs and takes his side into their eighth World Cup final. This game had it all and Australia were pushed on the back foot but have somehow found a way to soak up the pressure and make the World Cup final once again after the misery in the semis in 2019. 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and now 2023 - The Proteas have reached the semifinal stage of every alternate World Cup since 1992 but once again they have faltered and the dream of a first final remains just a dream. Australia's triumph over South Africa in the World Cup semifinal demonstrates their resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence on the global stage.

47.24

FOUR! THAT'S IT! Pat Cummins finishes things off with a boundary! A bit of width on offer outside off, shortish length, Pat Cummins allows the ball to come to him and angles the face of his bat perfectly to use the pace of the delivery. He guides it wide of backward point and the ball races off the practice pitches to beat the fielder at third man to his right for a boundary. Australia win by 3 wickets and march into their 8th ODI World Cup final appearance!

47.10

Lands it on a short of a length, at the batter from over the wicket. Pat Cummins covers the line of the ball well and stabs it down on the leg side.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 47 overs : 211/7

M Starc16 (38)

P Cummins10 (27)

A Markram8-1-23-1

46.60

Swing and a miss! Slows it up and bowls it around off, Mitchell Starc is tempted by the flight and has a swipe across the line. He gets beaten on the outside edge by the away turn.

46.50

A bit fuller this time, on off, Mitchell Starc gets a good stride in and works it towards point.

46.40

Pushed through, short and on off, dabbed off the back foot by Mitchell Starc towards cover.

46.31

Full again, on the pads, Pat Cummins looks to knock this one down the ground but hits it a bit uppishly to the right of Aiden Markram for a single.

46.20

Tempts the batter by offering flight, full and on middle, Pat Cummins does not take the bait and keeps it out on the leg side.

46.10

Pushed through, on middle, Pat Cummins prods forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 46 overs : 210/7

M Starc16 (35)

P Cummins9 (24)

M Jansen4-0-31-0

45.60

On a fullish length, on middle, Mitchell Starc jams it out down back towards the bowler.

45.50

Slanting in, on middle and leg, on a length, clipped on the bounce to mid-wicket by Mitchell Starc.

45.44

FOUR! Clipped away! That should do it for Australia! Jansen tries to surprise Starc with a change in length and goes full, on middle and leg, Mitchell Starc does not miss out as he clears his front leg to clip it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary. Just a hit away now Australia.

45.30

Sharp bumper, over middle, Mitchell Starc is quick to duck underneath and lets the ball go.

45.20

Short of a length again, around off, Mitchell Starc sways away and lets the ball pass through to the keeper.

45.10

Starts off with a short of a length, outside off, Mitchell Starc is happy to leave the ball alone.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 45 overs : 206/7

M Starc12 (29)

P Cummins9 (24)

A Markram7-1-22-1

44.61

On off and full again, Mitchell Starc eases it down to long off and keeps the strike with a single. Australia need 7 more runs now.

44.51

Floats it up again, on middle, Pat Cummins works it past the right of the diving Aiden Markram for a single.

44.40

Full again, on off, Pat Cummins drives well but straight to mid off.

44.30

Excellent fielding! Offers flight, full and on middle, Pat Cummins strides forward and pushes it to the right of the bowler where David Miller slides to his left from mid-wicket and makes a good stop.

44.20

DROPPED! A tough one but that should have been taken by Quinton de Kock! Tosses it up nicely, full and turning in, on off, Pat Cummins goes for the drive and looks to play it against the turn. The ball spins in to catch the inside edge of his bat but Quinton de Kock fails to get his gloves in the right position. The ball hits him on the thigh and de Kock fails to grab it on the second attempt as well.

44.10

Floats it up, on off, Pat Cummins prods forward and strokes it towards cover.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 44 overs : 204/7

M Starc11 (28)

P Cummins8 (19)

G Coetzee9-0-47-2

43.60

Tries to go full but ends up bowling a full toss, on off, there to be hit for Mitchell Starc but he misses out as he mistimes his shot to mid off.

Commentary

Welcome back for the second essay. The two umpires make their way out to the middle followed by the two Australian openers. Temba Bavuma leads his troops out but not before giving out some final instructions. It will be Travis Head and David Warner to open the innings for Australia. Marco Jansen has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go. Two slips in place. Off we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, this is nowhere close to the total South Africa were after but David Miller has given them something to bowl at. South Africa need early wickets and will have to make sure that Australia do not get off to a flier. On the other hand, Australia will be confident enough to gun down this total. Join us in a bit to see how the chase unfolds.

David Miller, the centurion is down for a chat. Miller starts by saying that it was a big knock for him and if they come out on top, it will be great and adds that it is just the halfway mark and there's still a lot to play for. Adds that they knew the conditions would be slower but losing four wickets in the Powerplay was tough. Adds that they were able to salvage something with that partnership with Heinrich Klaasen and then a couple more down the order. On the partnership with Klaasen, he says that it is all about taking it one ball at a time and ends by saying that they need early wickets and spinners can have a big say in the middle overs and reckons it is a defendable score.

Despite winning what looked like a crucial toss, South Africa needed to survive the challenging new ball phase under heavy cloud cover. They were off to a rocky start as Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock were dismissed inside the first six overs. Even though they looked all at sea, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram showed resistance before throwing in the towel against the relentless Aussie pace attack. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller then got together to steady the sinking ship for South Africa and gave a good account of themselves to weather the storm. As the innings progressed, both batters grew in confidence and were quick to pounce on loose deliveries. Just when South Africa looked to be staging a comeback, Heinrich Klaasen got out on 47, which put them back to square one. David Miller was unperturbed by the fall of wickets at the other end and took calculative risks on his way to a fighting hundred. He was dismissed shortly after bringing up the three-figure score which meant that the Proteas tail was not able to maximize during the back end of the innings.

Having lost the toss, Pat Cummins was hopeful that they would be able to take advantage of the gloomy weather. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood surely did so by putting on an absolute clinic with the new ball. Starc set the tone for the Aussies with a wicket in his first over. It certainly rubbed off on his new ball partner, Hazlewood, who too had the ball on a string to set the cat among the pigeons. Both pacers accounted for two wickets each in their first spell to reduce South Africa to 24-4. After the play resumed after a brief rain interruption, Glenn Maxwell did a good job of keeping things quiet from one end. However, Adam Zampa lacked rhythm from the other end, which forced Cummins to make a bowling change. It proved to be a masterstroke as Travis Head accounted for Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen off successive deliveries, which helped Australia wrestle the initiative back. Just when David Miller was setting himself up for a big finish, Pat Cummins got rid of him which allowed Australia to finish strongly with the ball. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took 3 wickets each while Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head had two wickets each to their name.

South Africa have been bowled out for 212! Despite David Miller's heroics, the Proteas have been able to post a total that looks well below par at the halfway mark. As for Australia, they were switched on from ball one with the ball and also in the field. All in all, It was a superb bowling performance and the Aussies will be the happier of the two sides at this stage in the game.

49.4W

OUT! TAKEN! Top effort in the deep from Glenn Maxwell and South Africa have been bundled out here! Another off-paced delivery from Pat Cummins, shorter and around off, Kagiso Rabada hangs back again and swats this one away flat down to long on. Maxwell speeds across to his right and dives in low to take it with both hands, making a fairly tough catch look easy. Cummins ends with three wickets and South Africa finish with 212 runs on the board, almost the same score as what Australia posted in the 1999 World Cup semifinal.

49.30

Brings out the bumper now and angles it across off, taking pace off it as well. Kagiso Rabada hangs deep in his crease and looks to take it on but misses.

49.21

Tabraiz Shamsi does his job and gets off strike. The off-cutter now over middle, a bit shorter and turning into the body. Shamsi hops and gets an inside edge off the body onto the deck and they scamper across for a run.

49.11

Calls two but there's never two there! Slower and shorter, dug in across the left-hander, Kagiso Rabada fetches and pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

It will be Pat Cummins (9-0-49-2) to bowl the final over.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 49 overs : 210/9

K Rabada9 (9)

T Shamsi0 (4)

M Starc10-1-34-3

48.61lb

Leg bye! Full and quick again, tailing into the legs, this is a bit too full and thuds into the pads before rolling away through mid-wicket. Kagiso Rabada strolls across for a leg bye.

48.50

Takes a bit of pace off this one and bowls it full and wide, Kagiso Rabada tries to reach it but fails to get any bat on it.

48.40

Swing and a miss! Full and quick, following the batter down leg, Kagiso Rabada throws the kitchen sink at it but only manages to connect with thin air.

48.36

SIX! BANG! Kagiso Rabada takes Mitchell Starc on and swings it away for a maximum. A quick bumper from Starc at 142 clicks and angled at the helmet. Rabada takes it on and swings his bat, dispatching the ball into the stands over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

48.20

Full and wide outside off, gets it in the blockhole, Kagiso Rabada stays leg side and has to really reach for it, only being able to jam it out to covers.

48.10

Close! Full and tailing into the batter's legs at 140 clicks. Kagiso Rabada backs away and looks to slog away but is well beaten and the ball shaves the leg stump as well.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 48 overs : 203/9

T Shamsi0 (4)

K Rabada3 (3)

P Cummins9-0-49-2

47.60

Attempted yorker, turns out to be a high full toss on middle and Tabraiz Shamsi is taken aback by it. The ball is just about under waist height though and Shamsi gets bat on it.

47.50

Another quick bumper, this time over middle and rising quickly, Tabraiz Shamsi looks to get behind the line but takes a blow to the gloves instead.

47.40

Goes full now and bowls it close to the off stump, Tabraiz Shamsi looks to play at it but is beaten past the outside edge.

47.30

Cummins welcomes Tabraiz Shamsi with a nasty bumper, right at the shoulders but Shamsi does well to duck under it.

47.2W

OUT! TAKEN! Straight to the man and Pat Cummins has his revenge! This is banged in short over middle by Cummins, pace on and asking David Miller to take it on again. Miller hangs deep and does go after it, getting a decent connection as well but this is flat and hard toward deep square leg. Travis Head there, stands right on the edge of the ropes and takes the catch but has the presence of mind to just lift it back in the air as his back leg presses onto the ropes and Head takes it on the second attempt with ease. End of a sensational knock by Miller but Australia just one wicket away now from bundling South Africa out.

Tabraiz Shamsi is the last man in for South Africa.

47.21wd

WIDE! Attempted slower bumper, angled across the left-hander and is called a wide.

47.16

SIX! 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man!' What a knock by David Miller and the crowd goes berserk inside Eden Gardens. This is dug in short by Pat Cummins, pace on this time and around off, Miller climbs into the pull shot and massacres it a long way over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Miller is hugged by Rabada before soaking in the applause and the 200 also comes up for South Africa.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 47 overs : 196/8

K Rabada3 (3)

D Miller95 (114)

M Starc9-1-28-3

46.60

Full again, gets the line right this time though, around the toes, Kagiso Rabada jams it out well toward mid on but loses his balance and falls over.

46.52

Nice use of the wrists by Kagiso Rabada! Full now, trying for the toe-crushing yorker but it is overpitched on the legs, Kagiso Rabada clips it away in front of square on the leg side and picks up a couple of handy runs.

46.51wd

Wide! Banged in short and around off, a bit too short though as this one flies over Rabada's head, wide called.

46.41

Full and angled into the leg stump, David Miller is able to get the front leg out of the way and whips it away down to wide long on but just for a single.

Australia
South Africa
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
T Head

b K Maharaj

62 48 9 2 129.16
D Warner

b A Markram

29 18 1 4 161.11
M Marsh

c van der Dussen b K Rabada

0 6 0 0 0
S Smith

c de Kock b G Coetzee

30 62 2 0 48.38
M Labuschagne

lbw b T Shamsi

18 31 2 0 58.06
G Maxwell

b T Shamsi

1 5 0 0 20
J Inglis

b G Coetzee

28 49 3 0 57.14
M Starc

not out

16 38 2 0 42.10
P Cummins

not out

14 29 2 0 48.27
Extras

(b 0,lb 3,w 12,nb 2,Penalty 0)

17
Total 47.2 (RR: 4.54)
215/7

Did not bat: A Zampa, J Hazlewood

Fall of wickets:

(D Warner, 6.1 ov) (M Marsh, 7.4 ov) (T Head, 14.1 ov) (M Labuschagne, 21.5 ov) (G Maxwell, 23.4 ov) (S Smith, 33.3 ov) (J Inglis, 39.5 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
M Jansen
4.2 0 35 0 8.07
K Rabada
6 0 41 1 6.83
A Markram
8 1 23 1 2.87
G Coetzee
9 0 47 2 5.22
T Shamsi
10 0 42 2 4.20
K Maharaj
10 0 24 1 2.40
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
de Kock

c P Cummins b J Hazlewood

3 14 0 0 21.42
T Bavuma

c J Inglis b M Starc

0 4 0 0 0
van der Dussen

c S Smith b J Hazlewood

6 31 0 0 19.35
A Markram

c D Warner b M Starc

10 20 2 0 50
H Klaasen

b T Head

47 48 4 2 97.91
D Miller

c T Head b P Cummins

101 116 8 5 87.06
M Jansen

lbw b T Head

0 1 0 0 0
G Coetzee

c J Inglis b P Cummins

19 39 2 0 48.71
K Maharaj

c S Smith b M Starc

4 8 0 0 50
K Rabada

c G Maxwell b P Cummins

10 12 0 1 83.33
T Shamsi

not out

1 5 0 0 20
Extras

(b 0,lb 4,w 7,nb 0,Penalty 0)

11
Total 49.4 (RR: 4.27)
212/10

Did not bat:

Fall of wickets:

(T Bavuma, 1 ov) (de Kock, 5.4 ov) (A Markram, 10.5 ov) (van der Dussen, 11.5 ov) (H Klaasen, 30.4 ov) (M Jansen, 30.5 ov) (G Coetzee, 43.3 ov) (K Maharaj, 46.2 ov) (D Miller, 47.2 ov) (K Rabada, 49.4 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
M Starc
10 1 34 3 3.40
J Hazlewood
8 3 12 2 1.50
P Cummins
9.4 0 51 3 5.27
A Zampa
7 0 55 0 7.85
G Maxwell
10 0 35 0 3.50
T Head
5 0 21 2 4.20
Australia
South Africa

Commentary

45 group stage games, 2 semifinals and it all comes down to this! The two of the greatest white-ball teams in the history of cricket, India and Australia will meet in the Final of the 2023 World Cup and will end their journey just like they started - against each other. It will be a repeat of the 2003 final with India looking for their third World Cup crown and Australia looking to take their record of most ODI World Cups to six. That grand finale will take place at the 'new colosseum of cricket' - the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with more than 1,30,000 fans in the stadium and millions watching across the globe. That game will be played on Sunday, the 19th of November and will begin at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT). However, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. So, mark your calendars and free your schedules as this is going to be a monumental clash. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Australia's skipper Pat Cummins says that it is much easier out there than sitting in the dugout. Mentions that it was a great effort with plenty of good performances. Shares that they thought it was going to spin quite a bit and felt that high 200s could be tricky. States that he was not too upset about losing the toss due to the gloomy weather. Tells that fielding is something they talk a lot about. On Travis Head, he says that his contribution was crazy and he has the knack of finding wickets. On Josh Inglis, he says that he looked in total control against two really good spinners. Feels that it is a good thing that few of the guys have played an ODI World Cup final before and some have played the T20 World Cup final. Ends by saying that it will be special to lead the team out and it will be one of his career highlights.

Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa starts by congratulating Australia and says that they were for a very large part of the game, world-class. Adds that their character came through in the second half and it became a bit of a dog fight and because they lost early wickets, they always had to play catch up. Mentions that the conditions coupled with the abilities of Mitchell Starc and others, Australia bowled well and when you are 24/4 it is always going to be difficult. Says that they gained a bit of momentum with the partnership and would have liked for Heinrich Klaasen to go on for a bit longer but the way David Miller played speaks a lot not just about his abilities with the bat but his mental abilities as well. Adds that it was certainly competitive but would have liked to start better with the ball but the bowlers came into the play well and put the opposition under pressure but needed a lot more things to go their way. Mentions that they had a few difficult chances go down and a few chances falling just short but it doesn't take away from the way Australia played. On Gerald Coetzee, he says that as a young guy, he really was a warrior for them and got them back in the game and didn't want to let go of the ball and will be an asset for the future. On Quinton de Kock he says that he had an amazing tournament and would have wanted to end things on a high but will remember the fight they put in and in South Africa, he will go down as a legend

Travis Head is the Player of the Match for his quickfire fifty at the top and his exploits with the ball. Head says that it is hard to unpack all of that. Adds that he and Josh Hazlewood did not move in the last couple of hours. Mentions that they knew how it was going to play and had three or four days to think about it. Shares that the wickets have been unbelievable throughout the tournament and adds that they knew it was going to be a battle. On his fractured hand, he says that he thought he was not going to be here but feels happy to contribute for Australia. On Heinrich Klaasen's wicket, he says that he is an unbelievable player and Klaasen put him under the pump with two boundaries. Further adds that he is not sure how it got through him. States that it is important to be prepared and to be ready to roll the arm over. Feels disappointed to get out the way he did more so because it was a matchup against the left-arm spin. Ends by saying that India have an unbelievable attack and he never dreamed of being in a World Cup final against the team of the tournament so far.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Temba Bavuma won a crucial toss and opted to bat first on a dry wicket but with the overcast conditions, the Australian pace attack put on a big performance early on as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ripped through the South African top order and had them reeling at 24/4. Then came the match-turning stand between Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller worth 95 runs and at that point it looked like South Africa would get to 250. Klaasen got out at the wrong time as Travis Head picked up a couple of quick wickets but Miller put on a real show to become the first South African to score a ton in a World Cup knockout game. Adam Zampa had an off day with the ball but Pat Cummins picked up wickets at the death and ensured South Africa were bowled out for a meager total. Coming to the chase, it was fast and furious at the top but then as the dust settled it went on to become a real World Cup classic with Australia coming out on top once again.

Everyone has heard of the 'American dream' but it is the 'South African dream' that was once again broken and Quinton de Kock's last ever game for his country has ended up in a tearful and heartbreaking way. They didn't have many runs to defend and the pacers were lackluster early on, giving Australia the advantage but Aiden Markram broke the crucial opening stand and Kagiso Rabada too redeemed himself with a wicket. The spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi bowled extremely well in tandem and never let Australia off the hook, eventually managing to make a dent in that middle order. With the required runs drying out, they gave it their all and Gerald Coetzee bowled his heart out, consistently bowling upwards of 145 clicks and he got the wickets of Steven Smith and Josh Inglis to give South Africa half a chance. It wasn't meant to be though as a few tough dropped chances coupled with the poor batting display was enough for them to be sent packing at the semifinal stage once again.

A chase of just 213 runs, the number that Australia scored in that famous tied semifinal of 1999, became a really bumpy one. David Warner and Travis Head recognized the occasion and broke the back of the chase with a quickfire 60-run stand in just 6.1 overs. Warner fell and Mitchell Marsh soon followed suit but Head got a crucial 62 at the top. The experienced pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith played the Proteas spinners with respect and just about kept the scoreboard ticking but Marnus played a poor shot to allow the opposition an opening. Glenn Maxwell played his way and got out soon after and then it was an under-fire Josh Inglis who joined Smith at the crease. Two seemed to be strolling along before Smith played an uncharacteristic shot to get out. Inglis toiled hard but he too fell with still 30 or so runs required. The dynamic duo with the ball - Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc turned heroes with the bat for Australia as they fended off a barrage of seam and spin to eventually get their team over the line.

THE MIGHTY AUSSIES FROM DOWN UNDER, STORM INTO THE FINAL! The Australian skipper fittingly hits the winning runs and takes his side into their eighth World Cup final. This game had it all and Australia were pushed on the back foot but have somehow found a way to soak up the pressure and make the World Cup final once again after the misery in the semis in 2019. 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and now 2023 - The Proteas have reached the semifinal stage of every alternate World Cup since 1992 but once again they have faltered and the dream of a first final remains just a dream. Australia's triumph over South Africa in the World Cup semifinal demonstrates their resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence on the global stage.

47.24

FOUR! THAT'S IT! Pat Cummins finishes things off with a boundary! A bit of width on offer outside off, shortish length, Pat Cummins allows the ball to come to him and angles the face of his bat perfectly to use the pace of the delivery. He guides it wide of backward point and the ball races off the practice pitches to beat the fielder at third man to his right for a boundary. Australia win by 3 wickets and march into their 8th ODI World Cup final appearance!

47.10

Lands it on a short of a length, at the batter from over the wicket. Pat Cummins covers the line of the ball well and stabs it down on the leg side.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 47 overs : 211/7

M Starc16 (38)

P Cummins10 (27)

A Markram8-1-23-1

46.60

Swing and a miss! Slows it up and bowls it around off, Mitchell Starc is tempted by the flight and has a swipe across the line. He gets beaten on the outside edge by the away turn.

46.50

A bit fuller this time, on off, Mitchell Starc gets a good stride in and works it towards point.

46.40

Pushed through, short and on off, dabbed off the back foot by Mitchell Starc towards cover.

46.31

Full again, on the pads, Pat Cummins looks to knock this one down the ground but hits it a bit uppishly to the right of Aiden Markram for a single.

46.20

Tempts the batter by offering flight, full and on middle, Pat Cummins does not take the bait and keeps it out on the leg side.

46.10

Pushed through, on middle, Pat Cummins prods forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 46 overs : 210/7

M Starc16 (35)

P Cummins9 (24)

M Jansen4-0-31-0

45.60

On a fullish length, on middle, Mitchell Starc jams it out down back towards the bowler.

45.50

Slanting in, on middle and leg, on a length, clipped on the bounce to mid-wicket by Mitchell Starc.

45.44

FOUR! Clipped away! That should do it for Australia! Jansen tries to surprise Starc with a change in length and goes full, on middle and leg, Mitchell Starc does not miss out as he clears his front leg to clip it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary. Just a hit away now Australia.

45.30

Sharp bumper, over middle, Mitchell Starc is quick to duck underneath and lets the ball go.

45.20

Short of a length again, around off, Mitchell Starc sways away and lets the ball pass through to the keeper.

45.10

Starts off with a short of a length, outside off, Mitchell Starc is happy to leave the ball alone.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 45 overs : 206/7

M Starc12 (29)

P Cummins9 (24)

A Markram7-1-22-1

44.61

On off and full again, Mitchell Starc eases it down to long off and keeps the strike with a single. Australia need 7 more runs now.

44.51

Floats it up again, on middle, Pat Cummins works it past the right of the diving Aiden Markram for a single.

44.40

Full again, on off, Pat Cummins drives well but straight to mid off.

44.30

Excellent fielding! Offers flight, full and on middle, Pat Cummins strides forward and pushes it to the right of the bowler where David Miller slides to his left from mid-wicket and makes a good stop.

44.20

DROPPED! A tough one but that should have been taken by Quinton de Kock! Tosses it up nicely, full and turning in, on off, Pat Cummins goes for the drive and looks to play it against the turn. The ball spins in to catch the inside edge of his bat but Quinton de Kock fails to get his gloves in the right position. The ball hits him on the thigh and de Kock fails to grab it on the second attempt as well.

44.10

Floats it up, on off, Pat Cummins prods forward and strokes it towards cover.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 44 overs : 204/7

M Starc11 (28)

P Cummins8 (19)

G Coetzee9-0-47-2

43.60

Tries to go full but ends up bowling a full toss, on off, there to be hit for Mitchell Starc but he misses out as he mistimes his shot to mid off.

43.50

Short of a length, at the batter, Mitchell Starc goes for the pull but swings a bit early and wears it on the arm.

43.41

Offers width this time outside off, on a length, Pat Cummins extends his arms and carves it towards deep point for a single. Australia are now 9 runs away from a place in the final.

43.30

Short of a length yet again, around off, Pat Cummins gets on his toes and guides it with an angled bat to point.

43.20

Goes slightly fuller on this occasion, on off and middle, Pat Cummins hangs back and opens the face of his bat to steer it towards point.

43.10

Digs it in short, on off, Pat Cummins stands tall and gets a bit cramped for room but still manages to dab it away to backward point.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 43 overs : 203/7

M Starc11 (26)

P Cummins7 (15)

A Markram6-1-20-1

42.60

Nicely tossed up, full and outside off, Mitchell Starc leans on and strokes it away toward cover.

42.51

Slightly slower and shorter on middle, Pat Cummins goes on the back foot and pushes it uppishly through the vacant mid on region for a single.

42.40

This is full again on the stumps, Pat Cummins clips it away to square leg.

42.30

Just short! Pat Cummins with a huge sigh of relief as South Africa keep getting more and more frustrated here. Aiden Markram tosses this one up nicely on middle and leg, turning it in, Pat Cummins looks to play the on drive but the ball holds in the deck and Cummins chips it toward mid-wicket. David Miller isn't close in there and has to dive in but only manages to collect it on the half-volley.

42.20

Nicely flighted, wider of the off stump and forcing the drive out of Pat Cummins but Cummins manages to keep it down toward cover.

42.21wd

Wide! Slows it up now and drags the length back but drifts down leg, Pat Cummins leaves it alone for a wide.

42.10

Flatter and quicker onto middle, Pat Cummins stays on the front foot and solidly blocks it out.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 42 overs : 201/7

M Starc11 (25)

P Cummins6 (10)

G Coetzee8-0-46-2

41.60

Cleans him up but it won't count! Pitches this one up on off stump, Mitchell Starc hangs back and stays leg side of the ball before swinging wildly across the line but is beaten for raw pace. The ball smashes into the stumps and Quinton de Kock does well to pounce on the ball behind the stumps, ensuring that there is no extra run.

41.62nb

No ball! Oh, no! Gerald Coetzee has let one slip out of his hands and this could be really, really costly for South Africa. Goes for the yorker on leg stump but ends up serving a beamer right around the abdomen. Pat Cummins does well to nudge it behind square on the leg side for a single. Free Hit loading...

41.50

The quick bumper now, over off and zooming through, Pat Cummins does well to just sway away from the line of the ball and let it through to the keeper.

41.40

Switches to over the wicket now and pitches it up on the off stump, Pat Cummins gets on the front foot and pushes it back past the bowler.

41.30

Hits the length hard and bowls it over off stump, Pat Cummins gets behind the line and blocks it back on the deck.

41.24

FOUR! Lovely shot from the skipper and Australia inch closer! Goes full and wide from around the stumps at almost 145 clicks but it's a bit too wide. Pat Cummins is able to hang back and make a bit of room before opening the face of the bat and guiding it well wide of third man for a boundary.

Halt! A change of bat for Pat Cummins as the previous delivery hit him near the handle. Gerald Coetzee is down as well, suffering from cramps and gets the treatment from the physio. We are all good to go now.

41.10

Steams in and bangs this one in at 149.6 clicks from around the wicket and at a difficult height over middle. Pat Cummins does extremely well to hop back and get his bat out in front of his face and keep it down on the off side. That one hit the bat really hard and it is broken! Gerald Coetzee is also down on the deck.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 41 overs : 195/7

M Starc11 (24)

P Cummins1 (4)

A Markram5-1-18-1

40.60

Almost carries back to the bowler and Temba Bavuma has his hands on his head! Full and quick, trying to slide one into middle, Mitchell Starc looks to flick but closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge just in front of Aiden Markram.

40.50

Quicker one around off, manages to get some revs on it as well, Mitchell Starc does well to smother it with the turn to the off side.

40.41

Full and around off, Pat Cummins leans on and knocks it down to long off for an easy single.

40.30

Nagging length this time around middle, Pat Cummins is pushed on the back foot and just about manages to keep it out on the leg side.

40.20

Tossed up, full around off, Pat Cummins gets well forward and solidly blocks it out.

40.11

Aiden Markram comes back on and starts with a full toss from around the wicket. This is on the pads and Mitchell Starc flicks it away to deep square leg for a single.

Powerplay 3! Into the final 10 overs we go then and this has more of a feel of the final day of an engrossing Test match. 20 runs and 3 wickets, the equation is simple for both sides - go hard, or go home from here.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 40 overs : 193/7

P Cummins0 (1)

M Starc10 (21)

G Coetzee7-0-40-2

39.60

Close but not close enough! Gerald Coetzee follows his previous delivery by bowling it on the same length, at the stumps, like Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins is also expecting a bouncer and gets surprised with a fullish delivery. Gets pinged on the front pad and South Africa go up in unison as do the crowd. The umpire shakes his head and Temba Bavuma goes for the review with two seconds left in the timer. Nothing on UltraEdge but it is pitched outside leg on Ball Tracking. Pat Cummins survives and South Africa have now lost both their reviews.

The Aussie skipper, Pat Cummins walks in with his team needing him to take them over the line.

39.5W

OUT! BOWLED'EM! It's Gerald Coetzee again who breathes life back into the game for South Africa! Continues to vary his length and bowls it on a fullish length, on off and middle, Josh Inglis hangs back in his crease expecting another bumper and as a result, his weight is on the back foot. He is late to bring his bat down in time and even though he manages to get some bat on it. The ball deflects off the bottom edge of his bat and trickles onto the back pad before going on to hit the stumps. The crowd have found their voices again as Josh Inglis departs with Australia still 20 runs away.A huge blow for Australia as Josh Inglis walks back with

39.40

The line is much straighter this time, short and over middle, the ball gets a bit big on Josh Inglis who fends it a bit awkwardly to square leg.

39.30

Comes from around the wicket for the right-hander and delivers a bumper, over middle, Josh Inglis ducks underneath the delivery and lets it through.

39.21

Lands it on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Mitchell Starc hangs on the back foot and tucks it in front of square and rotates the strike.

39.12

Goes short at the batter, it does not bother Mitchell Starc though who nurdles it away behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 39 overs : 190/6

M Starc7 (19)

J Inglis28 (46)

K Maharaj10-0-24-1

38.61

Angles it across from over the wicket, full and on off, Mitchell Starc reaches out in front and works it wide of cover to keep the strike with a single.

38.50

Pulls the length back a bit, on off, Mitchell Starc gets a good stride in and nudges it to mid on.

38.40

Drops it short this time, on off, Mitchell Starc is happy to stay back in his crease and pats it back to the bowler.

38.30

Loopy delivery, hanging in the air, full and on off, Mitchell Starc gets on the front foot to defend but gets an inside edge that rolls to square leg.

38.21

Slower and shorter, on off, Josh Inglis uses the depth of the crease and plays it late towards backward point for a single.

38.10

Tossed up, drifting in, on middle and leg, Josh Inglis prods forward and smothers the ball onto the deck.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 38 overs : 188/6

M Starc6 (15)

J Inglis27 (44)

G Coetzee6-0-37-1

37.60

Just wide! Bowls it at the batter, on a hard length, Mitchell Starc looks to keep this one out from the crease but plays it a bit early and ends up chipping it back towards the bowler. Luckily for him, the ball eludes the acrobatic dive from Gerald Coetzee to his left.

37.50

Looks to surprise Starc with a full delivery, at the stumps, Mitchell Starc is up to the task as he gets his bat down in time and digs it out to the left of the bowler.

37.40

Beaten! At 145 clicks, on a shortish length, around off, Mitchell Starc has a poke at the delivery away from the body and gets beaten on the outside edge as the ball thuds into Quinton de Kock's gloves.

37.30

Into the wicket yet again, over middle, Mitchell Starc covers the line of the ball well and dabs it back to the bowler.

37.24

EDGED AND FOUR! Fortuitous for Mitchell Starc and Australia! Gerald Coetzee comes from over the wicket and bangs it into the deck, on off, Mitchell Starc hangs on the back foot to keep this one out but gets squared up by the away movement. He gets an outside edge that flies through the vacant slip cordon and the dive from Marco Jansen at third man to his right does not help either as the ball races into the fence.

37.10

At 143.3 kph, on a back of a length, on off, Mitchell Starc stays leg side of the ball and taps it down to cover.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 37 overs : 184/6

J Inglis27 (44)

M Starc2 (9)

T Shamsi10-0-42-2

36.62

A bit too full by Tabraiz Shamsi, outside off, Josh Inglis negates the spin by getting to the pitch of the ball and drives it wide of extra cover for a couple of runs.

36.50

Comes from around the wicket now and offers flight, full and on off, Josh Inglis shuffles a bit and gets a good stride in to smother the spin.

36.40

Another quicker delivery, turning into the stumps, Josh Inglis is solid in defence again as he keeps it out on the off side.

36.30

Quicker through the air, on off, Josh Inglis opts to stay back in the crease and plays it from right under his eyes to cover.

36.20

Pulls the length back a bit and bowls it on off, Josh Inglis reads it well and pushes it comfortably to cover.

36.10

Floats it up, turning in, outside off from over the wicket, Josh Inglis gets a good stride in and pads it away on the off side.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 182/6

M Starc2 (9)

J Inglis25 (38)

G Coetzee5-0-33-1

35.60

Fullish delivery, at the stumps, Mitchell Starc gets his bat down in time and manages to jam the ball back onto his feet.

35.50

Switches to over the wicket and angles it across, outside off, on a good length, Mitchell Starc does not go chasing at the delivery and leaves the ball alone.

35.40

Bangs it in short again from around the wicket, over middle, Mitchell Starc stands tall and jams it down with a straight bat.

35.31

Shortens his length and around leg, Josh Inglis hangs on the back foot and fends it down to fine leg for a single.

35.24

FOUR! Whoa, what a shot! Gerald Coetzee varies his length by bowling it on a length, outside off, Josh Inglis picks the length early and extends his arms to cream the drive wide of extra cover for a boundary.

35.10

Beaten! A sharp delivery by Gerald Coetzee, shortish on off, Josh Inglis gets cramped for room and tries to ramp it over the keeper but misses out as the ball dies down on its way to Quinton de Kock.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 35 overs : 177/6

M Starc2 (6)

J Inglis20 (35)

T Shamsi9-0-40-2

34.60

Gets this one to turn away from the left-hander, outside off, Mitchell Starc prods forward and lifts his bat to let the ball pass.

34.51

At 82.4 kph, turning into the batter, around off, Josh Inglis goes back to a rather full delivery and pushes it wide of point for a run.

34.41

Drifts on the pads with a fullish delivery, Mitchell Starc clips it in front of square and rotates the strike.

34.30

Drops it short and around off, Mitchell Starc hits it with the turn off the back foot to cover.

34.20

Turning away, full and outside off, Mitchell Starc reads it well and leaves the ball alone although without covering his off-stump.

34.10

Loopy delivery, full on off, Mitchell Starc is a bit tentative but does manage to dab it in front of point.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 34 overs : 175/6

J Inglis19 (34)

M Starc1 (1)

G Coetzee4-0-28-1

33.60

Directs a bumper near the left shoulder of the batter, Josh Inglis ducks underneath it quickly and leaves the ball alone for the keeper to collect. End of a successful over from Gerald Coetzee.

33.50

Delivers it full again, around off, Josh Inglis is waiting on the back foot as he drives it without much timing to mid off.

33.41

Hurls it full and honing in at the stumps, Mitchell Starc opens the face of his bat and drives it square on the off side. Opens his account with a single.

Drinks break! Well then, who would have thought that the game would be this close at this stage after that early blitz from David Warner and Travis Head? But here we are with Australia needing 39 runs for victory and have just lost Steven Smith. They still have four wickets in hand and a recognized batter in the form of Josh Inglis but its all about handling pressure now. South Africa have given it their all with the ball but the runs are soon running out and they need a big flourish to get the win. Let's find out how this game actually pans out and with that said, Mitchell Starc walks out to the middle.

33.3W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The change of plan does the trick for Gerald Coetzee and South Africa! Gerald Coetzee pulls his length compared to the previous delivery and gets this one to angle across the right-hander, outside off, Steven Smith is waiting on the back foot for the bumper and goes for a swipe across the line. He pays the price for forcing it across the line as he skies it high in the Kolkata night sky but only as far as the stumps at the batting end. The man with the gloves, Quinton de Kock calls for the catch and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and snaffles it with both hands while diving forward to complete a pressure catch. Not the shot you associate with Steven Smith but has he given South Africa an opening with this error?

33.20

Changes his length by going fuller this time, on off, Steven Smith firms the drive with a straight bat but can't get it past mid off.

33.10

Steams in from around the wicket and bangs it in short, over middle, Steven Smith drops his wrists and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 33 overs : 174/5

J Inglis19 (32)

S Smith30 (59)

K Rabada6-0-41-1

32.60

Lands it on a hard length, around leg, Josh Inglis rides on top of the bounce before clipping it straight to mid-wicket.

32.50

A hint of shape in, on the off-stump line, on a good length, Josh Inglis gets behind the line and taps it back to the bowler.

32.40

Much fuller this time, on middle, Josh Inglis prods forward and defends it out with a straight bat.

32.31

On the pads again, on a length as well, Steven Smith works it behind square on the leg side and picks up a single.

32.21

A bit too straight, on a length, Josh Inglis flicks it off his pads through square leg and turns the strike over.

32.10

Zoning in, at the pads, on a good length, Josh Inglis nudges it from the crease towards mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 32 overs : 172/5

S Smith29 (58)

J Inglis18 (27)

G Coetzee3-0-27-0

31.60

Back of a length, on off, Steven Smith stands tall and pushes it out to mid off.

31.54

EDGED AND FOUR! Edgy but they all count! Serves it on a good length, on off, Steven Smith shuffles across and looks to play at it. The ball nips away a touch to catch the outside edge and it flies through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary.

31.51wd

WIDE! An optimistic shout for caught behind but turned down! Angling down leg, on a good length, Steven Smith gets inside the line and looks to help the ball away with the angle but misses out. Quinton de Kock completes the catch but the umpire says no. The replays that the ball had come off the thigh but it is called as a wide by the umpire.

31.41

Targetting the stumps, on a good length, Josh Inglis hops and does well to nudge it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

31.31

Continues to bowl into the surface and hurls it outside off, Steven Smith lets the ball come to him and uses the pace of the delivery to run it down to third man for a run.

31.20

This is bowled on a short of a length, angling in, around off, Steven Smith gets on his toes and shows a straight bat to push it back to Gerald Coetzee.

31.10

At 142.9 clicks, on a good length, on the fifth stump line, Steven Smith hangs back and covers the line of the ball before tapping it back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 31 overs : 165/5

J Inglis17 (26)

S Smith24 (53)

K Maharaj9-0-22-1

30.60

Floats it up, on off, Josh Inglis prods forward and defends it out on the off side.

30.51

Even more slower and shorter, near the tramline off, Steven Smith has to reach out and hits it with an angled bat to deep cover for a run.

30.41

Shortens his length and bowls it slower, outside off, Josh Inglis stands tall and punches it wide of point for a single.

30.30

Drifting in, on middle and leg, Josh Inglis opens himself up and drives it square towards point.

30.21

Tosses it up now, on off, Steven Smith lunges forward and knocks it down to long off for a single.

30.10

Bowls it from wide of the crease and gets this one to spin away, short and on middle, Steven Smith gets behind the line and keeps it out. 51 needed now for Australia with 5 wickets in hand!

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 30 overs : 162/5

J Inglis16 (23)

S Smith22 (50)

G Coetzee2-0-20-0

29.60

Goes full and straight now, at over 143 clicks and Josh Inglis jams it out.

29.54

FOUR! Nicely played! Josh Inglis is playing an impressive knock here. Gerald Coetzee bangs it in short and around off, Inglis lets the ball come on, bends his back a touch and ramps it over the slip cordon for a fruitful boundary.

29.40

Back of a length around off, Josh Inglis gets on the back foot and gets on top of the bounce before defending it on the off side.

29.31

Excellent work in the deep from the big man! This is banged in short again over middle, Steven Smith takes it on and gets his hands out in front before pulling it behind square leg. Marco Jansen is quick to get across to his left in the deep and makes the stop to save three runs.

29.21lb

Leg bye! Short again, this time angled in at the body. Josh Inglis fails to get it away and the ball goes off the hips toward square leg. They get a leg bye.

29.10

Starts the new spell off with a shortish ball at 143 clicks and around off, Josh Inglis taps it down toward point.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 29 overs : 156/5

S Smith21 (49)

J Inglis12 (18)

K Maharaj8-0-19-1

28.60

A big shout of 'wait' on this occasion. Around off, pushed off the front foot into covers.

28.50

Nicely bowled! Flights this one up a bit fuller and around off, this one dips and grips before turning away. Steven Smith looks to blocks it off the front foot but the ball goes past the outside edge.

28.40

This is full and on middle, Steven Smith watchfully keeps it out.

28.31

Short again and a bit more outside off, this is eased off the back foot through covers for a single.

28.20

Oh, that could have been fatal for Australia! Slightly shorter around off, Josh Inglis taps it off the back foot to the left of covers and sets off for the single. Steven Smith sends him back and Inglis slips as well. Heinrich Klaasen moves to his left, picks up the ball and throws it to the keeper but Inglis dives in to make his ground.

28.10

Quicker one, pushed through around off, Josh Inglis defends it off the front foot.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 28 overs : 155/5

S Smith21 (46)

J Inglis11 (15)

T Shamsi8-0-38-2

27.60

Throws it outside off, played off the back foot toward point.

27.50

Floated up around off, Steven Smith leans on and blocks it onto the on side.

27.41

Close! A tad shorter and on the pads, Josh Inglis looks to flick off the back foot but gets it off the inside edge and just to the left of Temba Bavuma at short leg that is standing behind the stumps for a single.

27.30

Flatter this time on the stumps and skidding on, Josh Inglis tentatively pushes it away off the front foot.

27.20

Flights this one up a bit fuller around off, Josh Inglis reaches out well in front and meets it on the full to negate the spin.

27.14

FOUR! That will take a lot of pressure off Inglis! This is tossed up on a length around off and turning in, Josh Inglis waits on the back foot and punches it against the turn, well in front of square on the off side and picks up a boundary.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 27 overs : 150/5

J Inglis6 (11)

S Smith21 (44)

K Maharaj7-0-18-1

26.61

Full again on middle and leg, Josh Inglis leans on and smothers the spin before nudging it down to long on for yet another single.

26.51

Tossed up full on the stumps, wristed away wide of mid on for one more.

26.40

Flighted delivery, fuller and outside off, Steven Smith gets a big stride across and pushes it away to cover-point.

26.31

Floated up, a bit slower and on a length outside off. Josh Inglis plays it late with the turn and through the cover region for a single.

26.21

Flatter one, on middle and sliding on, Steven Smith pushes this one down to long off and picks up a single.

26.10

Nicely drifted onto middle, getting it to dip and turn away, Steven Smith gets on the front foot and solidly blocks it off.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 26 overs : 146/5

S Smith19 (40)

J Inglis4 (9)

T Shamsi7-0-33-2

25.61

Flatter this time around, turning in from middle, Steven Smith works it off the back foot through backward square leg and gets through to the other end with ease.

25.51

On a nagging length around leg stump, Josh Inglis stays on the back foot and tucks it down behind square leg for another crucial single.

25.41

This is tossed up around off, Steven Smith takes half a step forward and whips it across to deep mid-wicket for one more.

25.31

Full this time and outside off, Josh Inglis gets on the front foot and strokes it away towards sweeper cover for a run.

25.20

Brings out the googly now, serves it on off, Josh Inglis reads it well off the deck and plays it off the back foot toward covers.

25.11lb

Leg bye! This is a bit shorter on leg and turning in, Steven Smith goes deep in his crease and tucks it away neatly down to fine leg for one. Signaled as leg byes.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 25 overs : 141/5

J Inglis2 (6)

S Smith17 (37)

K Maharaj6-0-14-1

24.60

Similar line and length to the previous one but this is bowled slower, Josh Inglis watches it well and blocks it out.

24.50

Bowls it a bit fuller and brings the line closer to the off pole, Josh Inglis leans forward and solidly blocks it out.

24.40

Pushed through quicker and flatter around off, Josh Inglis covers the line well and defends it on the off side.

24.30

Shorter and outside off, turning away as well, Josh Inglis stays back and has to reach for it a bit before tapping it straight to extra cover.

24.21

Slightly shorter and around off, Steven Smith stays in his crease and pushes it away through the gap at covers for a single.

24.10

Drifted into the pads, turning away, Steven Smith gets his front pad out and defends it well.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 24 overs : 140/5

J Inglis2 (2)

S Smith16 (35)

T Shamsi6-0-29-2

23.62

This is bowled flatter again on leg stump, Josh Inglis tickles it off the back foot and gets it down fine toward fine leg for a couple of runs.

23.61wd

Wide! Flatter one, turning down the leg side, left alone for a wide.

23.50

A touch fuller and attacking the stumps, Josh Inglis defends it off the front foot.

Josh Inglis is the new man in with Australia in more than a spot of bother.

23.4W

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Shamsi Airways has lift-off! Tabraiz Shamsi very cleverly shortens the length and bowls it at just 85 clicks on middle, turning it in. Glenn Maxwell gets right back in his crease and makes room to pull it with the turn but is beaten all ends up as the ball sneaks under the bat and goes on to castle into middle and leg and Maxwell's poor form against the Proteas continues. An edgy Maxwell departs early and Tabraiz Shamsi has run the entire length of the ground in ecstacy. Eden Gardens is rocking now!

23.31

Floated full on leg, Steven Smith gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it down to long on for another single.

23.21

Tossed up on leg stump, turning in, Glenn Maxwell puts a stride in and plays it really late with the turn in front of square leg for one more.

23.11

Nicely tossed up around off, Steven Smith presses forward and edges it down with soft hands just behind point for a quick single.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 23 overs : 134/4

G Maxwell0 (3)

S Smith14 (33)

K Maharaj5-0-13-1

22.60

Floats this one up around off stump, Glenn Maxwell gets forward and blocks it out.

22.50

The South Africans go up in unison for the caught behind but the umpire says no! Temba Bavuma, who is far away from the action is pushed to take the review and he does go upstairs. This is tossed up on a length by Keshav Maharaj and outside off as well. Glenn Maxwell goes for the reverse sweep but plays over the ball and gets beaten on the under edge. The replays roll in and it seems close to the glove but UltraEdge shows a flat line and that is an excellent decision by the onfield umpire.

22.41

Gets a short one outside off and Steven Smith eases it off the back foot to deep cover for a run.

22.30

Flighted once again around off and turning in, Steven Smith leans on and edges it with soft hands toward point.

22.20

Floated up on the stumps this time and Steven Smith blocks it out off the front foot.

22.10

Beauty! Flighted, drifting into off but grips and turns after pitching, a bit of dip on it as well. Steven Smith looks to block but is beaten past the outside edge.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 22 overs : 133/4

G Maxwell0 (1)

S Smith13 (29)

T Shamsi5-0-23-1

21.60

Almost a double blow from Tabraiz Shamsi! This is a ripper of a delivery though, tossed up on a nagging length around off and just sliding on. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and makes room to drive but the ball just zips past the outside edge. Half an appeal from the Proteas and nothing more.

Glenn Maxwell makes his way out to the centre.

21.5W

OUT! LBW! Another big shout from Tabraiz Shamsi for LBW and this time the finger is raised. Marnus Labuschagne has reviewed it but this one looks pretty straight. Shamsi tosses this one up around off stump, not too full and Labuschagne looks for the reverse sweep. Labuschagne is beaten on the flight and the ball spins in to ping him on the pads. There's nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is clipping leg stump. Shamsi is all pumped up and Labuschagne has thrown his wicket away after all the hard work. South Africa with a narrow opening here.

21.51wd

Wide! Another extra and that is really hurting South Africa here. Full on leg stump, turning sharply down leg, Quinton de Kock with a lovely take to his left.

21.41

Floated again on the pads, Steven Smith uses his wrists to flick it behind short leg and down to fine leg for a single.

21.30

Floated up full and on middle, Steven Smith flicks it away to mid-wicket.

21.20

The wrong'un now, on a length and going across off stump, Steven Smith reads it out of the hand and looks to drive it through covers but mistimes it to the bowler.

21.21wd

Wide! Shorter and turning way down leg, left alone for a wide.

21.10

Tossed up on a length around off and turning in, Steven Smith covers the line and blocks it out.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 21 overs : 130/3

M Labuschagne18 (30)

S Smith12 (25)

K Maharaj4-0-12-1

20.64

FOUR! Cracking shot! This is bowled full and outside off, Labuschagne gets down on his knees and fetches the ball before playing the hard slog in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

20.50

Nicely flighted and onto middle, Marnus Labuschagne gets a big stride forward and defends it out.

20.40

A touch full again and attacking the middle stump, pushed through quicker too, Labuschagne keeps it out.

20.31

Nearly a leading edge to cover! Drifts this one into the legs, Steven Smith looks to step out and pushes it through then gap at mid-wicket against the turn but closes the bat face early and gets it through mid off for a single.

20.21

Full on the pads, Labuschagne sweeps it hard and across the turf but straight to deep square leg for a single.

20.10

Lovely bit of flight, full and around off, Marnus Labuschagne watches it well and defends it under his eyeline.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 124/3

S Smith11 (24)

M Labuschagne13 (25)

T Shamsi4-0-20-0

19.60

Bowls it short now, on leg, Steven Smith flicks it wide of square leg where the fielder does well to slide to his right and prevent the single.

19.51

Overcompensates by dragging it way too short, down leg, Marnus Labuschagne swivels and controls the pull to fine leg for a single.

19.44

FOUR! Lovely shot and that should help ease off the pressure! Tabraiz Shamsi loses his radar as he overpitches it on off, Marnus Labuschagne is quick to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it along the ground. Hits it to the left of mid off for a boundary.

19.30

A full delivery, on middle, Marnus Labuschagne is happy to stab this one on the off side.

19.20

Nearly sneaked through! Drops it short now and on middle, Marnus Labuschagne walks across and takes the risk of playing across the line. The ball spins in but thankfully, Labuschange gets an inside edge which saved him.

19.10

This is bowled short  and turning in, on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and works it to mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 119/3

S Smith11 (23)

M Labuschagne8 (20)

K Maharaj3-0-6-1

18.60

Slower through the air, on off, Steven Smith leans forward and defends it out off the outer half towards point.

18.51

Drops it short now, on off, Marnus Labuschagne cuts it wide of point and takes a single.

18.40

Fuller again, on off, Marnus Labuschagne is able to get to the pitch of the ball and pushes it back to the bowler.

18.30

A bit too full, on off, Marnus Labuschagne strides forward to block it out on the off side.

18.20

And again! Floats it up, slower and on off, Marnus Labuschagne does not get fully forward this time as he ops to block it out. The ball spins away yet again to beat him on the outside edge.

18.10

Beaten! Tossed up, around off, Marnus Labuschagne looks to get forward to defend but the ball dips on him and spins past the outside edge.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 118/3

M Labuschagne7 (15)

S Smith11 (22)

T Shamsi3-0-15-0

17.61

Turning into the batter, at the stumps, Marnus Labuschagne leans on and works it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

17.51

Angled away, on off, Steven Smith plays it against the turn wide of point for a single.

17.40

Was that a chance? Yes, a tough one though as there was a healthy deflection. Dishes out the googly, short and on off, Steven Smith looks to play at it but plays a bit inside the line. Gets an outside edge that Quinton de Kock fails to pouch it as the ball deflects off the bat to hit him on the fingers before hitting his right thigh.

17.30

Sharp spin! Hangs it up in the air, short and turning in, on middle, Steven Smith looks to give himself room to access the off side but the ball spins in sharply to hit him on the front pad.

17.20

Targets the pads again, Steven Smith tucks the short delivery to Temba Bavuma at short backward square leg again.

17.10

Drops it short and turning into the pads, Steven Smith plays it with the turn to short backward backward square leg.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 116/3

S Smith10 (17)

M Labuschagne6 (14)

K Maharaj2-0-5-1

16.61

Slows it up even more, full and turning away, on off, Steven Smith gets on the front foot and works it past point for a single.

16.51

Too full and down leg, Marnus Labuschagne paddles well but picks out the man at short fine leg. A half-stop allows the batters to cross for a single.

16.40

Drags the length back and bowls it on off, Marnus Labuschagne dabs it from the crease with the spin towards point.

16.30

Dipping in, full and on leg, Marnus Labuschagne clears his front leg and drives it towards cover.

16.20

Darted in, on off, Marnus Labuschagne gets a good stride in and defends it out on the off side.

16.10

Floats it up, on off, Marnus Labuschagne prods forward and blocks it out towards cover.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 114/3

M Labuschagne5 (9)

S Smith9 (16)

T Shamsi2-0-13-0

15.61

Gives the ball air, full and turning in on the pads, Marnus Labuschagne gets on the front foot and plays it with the turn in front of square on the leg side for a run. End of a probing over from Tabraiz Shamsi.

Drinks break! Just 99 runs are needed for Australia to win and they will be very grateful for the way their openers attacked early on and broke the back of the chase. South Africa have picked up three wickets but have put down a few difficult chances and have conceded boundaries at a hemorrhaging rate which means they need to conjure up 2-3 wickets in the next few overs to make a match out of this one.

15.61wd

WIDE! Continues to get the ball to spin in at the stumps but the line is down leg this time, left alone by Marnus Labuschagne for a wide.

15.50

Sharp turn again, on leg, Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and keeps it out on the leg side.

15.40

A huge, huge shout for LBW but turned down! Tabraiz Shamsi is convinced and Temba Bavuma goes for the review. Shortens his length this time and bowls it around off and turning in, Marnus Labuschagne goes back in his crease to defend but plays all around this one as the ball spins in to thud him onto the front pad. Nothing on UltraEdge but the Ball Tracking shows the impact to be umpire's call. Marnus Labuschagne had almost started walking even before the replays rolled up but he survives a close call.

15.32

This is full around off, Marnus Labuschagne goes down for the reverse sweep but gets an under edge that goes through the keeper's legs. Marco Jansen is stationed fine at third man and cuts it off as Labuschagne gets a couple of runs.

15.20

Floats it up again, on middle, Marnus Labuschagne gets fully forward and dead bats it onto the deck.

15.10

Offers flight, full and on off, Marnus Labuschagne clips it off the front foot to mid-wicket.

15.11wd

WIDE! Turning in down leg, short in length, spins past the batter for a wide.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 109/3

M Labuschagne2 (3)

S Smith9 (16)

K Maharaj1-0-3-1

14.61

Nicely flighted, full and outside off, eased away off the front foot to deep cover for a single.

14.50

Tossed up around off, Marnus Labuschagne leans on and blocks it off.

14.41

Floated up, on off, Steven Smith drives it along the ground to deep cover for a single.

14.30

Angling in, on middle, Steven Smith works it with the angle to mid-wicket.

14.21

Fullish delivery, on middle, Marnus Labuschagne clips it through square leg and opens his account with a single.

Marnus Labuschagne is the new man in.

14.1W

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Keshav Maharaj strikes with his first ball! Travis Head eventually runs out of luck as Australia lose their third wicket! Tosses it up, full and on off from over the wicket, Travis Head gets on the front foot to flick it away but fails to smother the spin by getting to the pitch of the ball. It dips on him and spins in sharply to beat him om the inside edge before clattering into the stumps. Encouraging signs for Keshav Maharaj with his very first delivery.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 106/2

S Smith8 (14)

T Head62 (47)

T Shamsi1-0-8-0

13.60

Short and on the pads, Steven Smith tucks it neatly but can't get it past square leg.

13.51

Full and on off, eased down to long off for a single.

13.40

Turning away, on off, Travis Head prods forward to defend and gets beaten on the outside edge.

13.34

DROPPED! Travis Head continues to ride his luck and Rassie van der Dussen is the latest to give him a life! Short again, outside off, Travis Head goes back in his crease and pushes hard at the delivery. He gets a thickish outside edge that travels quickly to Rassie van der Dussen at first slip. van der Dussen had premediated there and had moved to his left which meant that he was unable to get his hands in the right position. The ball eludes him to race into the fence.

13.22

Drops it short, around off, Travis Head rocks on the back foot in a flash and cuts it wide of deep point for a couple of runs.

13.11

Oh...just short! Dishes out a googly, full and outside off, Steven Smith is made to reach out in front as he tries to paddle it fine. He does not get the placement spot on as he ends up chipping it towards backward square leg. Luckily for him, the ball drops in front of the diving Temba Bavuma there. A single taken which brings up Australia's 100.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 98/2

T Head55 (43)

S Smith7 (12)

A Markram4-1-16-1

12.60

Flighted again, on off, Travis Head leans forward and defends it out.

12.51

Tossed up, on middle, Steven Smith clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

12.40

On the pads, a bit short, tucked straight to square leg.

12.34

FOUR! Nicely driven! Floated up, around off, Steven Smith leans on and rolls his wrists nicely to drive it along the ground and gets it wide of cover for a boundary.

12.20

Short and around off, Steven Smith works it from the crease to mid-wicket.

12.11

Short and turning away, on off, Travis Head flat bats it down to long off for a single.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 92/2

T Head54 (41)

S Smith2 (8)

G Coetzee1-0-15-0

11.61

Lands it on a back of a length, outside off, cut away to deep point for a single by Travis Head. An expensive first over from Gerald Coetzee, 15 came off it.

11.54

FOUR! Three boundaries on the troy and that will be FIFTY for Travis Head! This is bowled short of a length, wide outside off, Travis Head throws his hands at the delivery and slices it away. He gets it to the left of third man for four more runs. An entertaining knock from Head so far in a pressure game.

11.44

FOUR! Pulled away with ease! Banged in short again, over middle, sits up nicely for Travis Head whose weight is on the back foot but still manages to get it over mid-wicket for four more runs.

11.34

FOUR! Slapped down the ground! Shortish delivery from Gerald Coetzee, outside off, Travis Head backs away and flat bats it hard down the wicket. It is hit extremely hard and Gerald Coetzee does not react quickly and can only get his fingertips to the ball. It races away to the long off fence in no time.

11.21

Angling in, on a back of a length, on leg, Steven Smith nudges it with soft hands in front of mid-wicket for a single.

11.11

DROPPPED! A massive movement in the game as Reeza Hendricks drops a tough chance! Gerald Coetzee starts off with a short delivery, wide outside off, there ot be hit. Travis Head latches onto the width as he flays this one away but hits it towards deep point. The substitute fielder Reeza Hendricks does all the hard work by sprinting across to his right and putting in a dive. However, the ball does not stick in his grasp and it pops out. They cross.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 77/2

T Head40 (36)

S Smith1 (7)

A Markram3-1-10-1

10.61

Aiden Markram gets away with this one! A drag down, wide outside off, Travis Head has to reach out to slap it away but cannot fully reach it. MIstimes his shot to long off for a single.

10.50

Angled in, on middle, Travis Head tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

10.41

Nearly sneaked through! Tossed up, on middle, Steven Smith goes back seeing the trajectory of the delivery. The ball spins in and fortunately for Smith, he gets an inside edge as he tries to defend. A single taken towards fine leg.

10.31

Floated up, on middle, Travis Head eases this down to long on with an angled bat for a single.

10.20

A bit fuller this time, turning away, around off, Travis Head plays it late and guides it towards backward point.

10.10

Pushes it through flatter and shorter, on off, Travis Head goes on the back foot and stabs it in front of cover.

Powerplay 2! It will be interesting to see Temba Bavuma's tactics given that South Africa can now have have 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 74/2

S Smith0 (6)

T Head38 (31)

K Rabada5-0-39-1

9.60

Goes full and straight, looking to sneak one in past the inside edge but Steven Smith gets on the front foot and pushes it toward mid on.

9.50

Just a fraction fuller, angled in from around off again and yet again Steven Smith shuffles across to cover the line but is beaten and takes a blow high on the pads.

9.40

A huge, huge appeal for caught behind and there is a certain deflection but not off the outside edge. Perfect length again, just a touch shorter around off and nipping in. Steven Smith gets across the stumps looking to play at it but gets squared up and the ball goes off the back leg into the hands of the keeper.

9.30

Back of a length and around off, Steven Smith goes on the back foot and defends it toward cover.

9.31wd

Wide! Full and angled into the pads but this is spilled just down the leg side. Another good take from Quinton de Kock as the umpire signals a wide.

9.21

Just short! Back of a length over middle, and gets big on the batter. Travis Head hangs back and looks to guide it late close to the body but almost ends up cushioning it into the hands of Gerald Coetzee at backward point. The ball falls just short and they get a single.

9.14

FOUR! Gets enough willow on it and Australia way ahead of the scoring rate here. This is pitched up on the stumps, Travis Head makes a bit of room and lofts it off the toe end of the bat over mid on for a boundary.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 68/2

T Head33 (29)

S Smith0 (2)

A Markram2-1-7-1

8.61

Full and around off, this is driven off the front foot down to long off for a single.

8.56

SIX! That's more like it from Travis Head and that will make him feel a lot better. This is fired in full on leg, Head sits down and slogs it flat over the square leg fence for a maximum.

8.40

Stifled appeal for LBW but nothing doing says the umpire. This is drifted in on a length onto leg stump, Travis Head is tentative to play at it and misses the ball, getting hit on the pads.

8.30

This is bowled full and on off, Travis Head pushes it out toward wide mid off.

8.20

Quicker and shorter around off, sliding in sharply, Travis Head cuts it to the left of point but the fielder gets a good right hand on it.

8.10

Pushed through quicker and onto middle on a nagging length. Travis Head gets pushed onto the back foot but manages to defend it out.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 61/2

S Smith0 (2)

T Head26 (23)

K Rabada4-0-33-1

7.60

Back of a length and around off, Steven Smith covers the line well and blocks it back to the bowler. A run and two wickets off the last two overs.

7.50

Good length, on the fifth stump line and angling it in, Steven Smith shuffles across a bit and leaves it alone.

Steven Smith walks out to the middle now.

7.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! Probably the best catch you'll see this tournament and South Africa are right back in it. Kagiso Rabada bowls this one back of a length and around off, Mitchell Marsh stands tall and throws his hands at it, hitting it flat and to the right of covers. Rassie van der Dussen there just flies to his right and pouches it out of thin air with both hands while on the downward slope. Marsh simply cannot believe it and Rabada comes back strongly after that previous over. The crowd is absolutely buzzing now and we have a game on our hands!

7.31

Hard length again outside off, Travis Head stays a bit low and throws his hands at it, hitting it a bit uppishly toward deep point for a run.

7.20

Hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, Travis Head looks to make room and flat-bat it back past the bowler but miscues it pretty badly.

7.10

Excellent fielding! Hard length over leg stump, Travis Head hops and tucks it away to the left of mid-wicket where Aiden Markram makes a sharp diving stop.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 60/1

M Marsh0 (5)

T Head25 (20)

A Markram1-1-0-1

6.60

A wicket-maiden from Aiden Markram to start with! This is bowled quicker and a bit shorter outside off, spinning in, Mitchell Marsh gets across a but and taps it in front of covers.

6.50

Sharp turn! Tossed up outside off, this one grips and turns back in as well. Mitchell Marsh puts a stride across and leaves it alone.

6.40

Throws this one up outside off, turning it in, Mitchell Marsh pads it away to point.

6.30

Pushed through quicker again on leg stump, Mitchell Marsh goes back in his crease and pushes it back to the bowler.

6.20

Quicker and flatter, on a length and turning into middle, Mitchell Marsh blocks it off the back foot.

Mitchell Marsh walks in at number 3 for Australia.

6.1W

OUT! TIMBER! Aiden Markram strikes on the very first ball and the crowd comes alive at Eden Gardens. Starts from around the wicket and angles it in a lot fuller onto middle, trying to turn it away. David Warner looks to use the depth of the crease and hammer it through the off side but plays all around it and the ball just deviates a touch to beat the bat and crash into the stumps. Markram is pumped up and South Africa have their first wicket as Warner departs after a quick start.

Time for some spin as Aiden Markram comes into the attack.

Runs Scored 21 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 60/0

T Head25 (20)

D Warner29 (17)

K Rabada3-0-32-0

5.66

SIX! A third maximum of the over and 21 runs come off it! Kagiso Rabada has been taken apart here. Pitches this one up on leg stump but misses the yorker by a fair few inches, Travis Head clears the front leg and dumps this one over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

5.50

Full on middle, gets it in the blockhole, Travis Head makes room and digs it out toward cover.

5.41lb

Leg bye! Banged in short at the body, David Warner looks to tuck off the back foot but gets it off the hips down to fine leg for a leg bye.

5.36

SIX! Sensational from David Warner and he takes full toll of the free hit. This is bowled full and on middle and leg, Warner goes right across the stumps and laps it on the full over the backward square leg fence for another biggie. The 50 comes up for Australia in no time.

5.37nb

No ball and Six! Oh, dear! It's getting worse and worse for South Africa here. Hard length around off, David Warner just hangs back in his crease and thumps it flat over the bowler's head and over the long off fence for a maximum. To add insult to injury, Kagiso Rabada has overstepped and it will be a free hit...

5.20

Bowled back of a length and over middle, David Warner gets leg side of the ball and cuts it straight to point.

5.11

Bowls it fuller and at the pads, Travis Head flicks it down to fine leg a bit off the inside edge and picks up a single.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 39/0

D Warner17 (13)

T Head18 (17)

M Jansen3-0-27-0

4.66

SIX! BANG! What a pick-up from David Warner and 15 runs come off that over! On a hard length around middle, angled in, Warner uses his low center of gravity well as he crouches a bit and just whips it away over the square leg fence for a maximum. Australia rocketing along now.

4.51

Good length around the top of off and sliding on, Travis Head hangs back and just steers it down to third man for one.

4.40

Had a go at that one as well! Full and around off, Travis Head looks to clobber it leg side but gets it off the inside half of the bat toward mid on.

4.34

FOUR! Nailed! This is bowled on a good length on off, not that full but Travis Head just drives through the line and drills it straight back past the bowler for another boundary.

4.20

Bowled back of a length and outside off, Travis Head smashes it on the bounce but straight to point.

4.14

FOUR! A lot of play and miss, hardly any singles but Australia are getting those crucial boundaries away. Back of a length over middle and angled in, Travis Head stays back and lifts his front leg before flicking it aerially over wide mid on for a boundary.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 24/0

D Warner11 (12)

T Head9 (12)

K Rabada2-0-12-0

3.60

Pulls the length back and bowls it a touch shorter at 144 clicks around the rib cage, David Warner hops and keeps it down on the off side.

3.50

On a good length around off at 143.4 clicks and going across, David Warner goes back and across before tapping it toward point.

3.40

Hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, David Warner is up on his toes as he pats it down toward cover.

3.36

SIX! David Warner sends that one way into the stands! Banged in short over middle and leg, Warner crouches a bit, gets inside the line and plays the pick-up pull really well over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

3.21

Hard length around off and angling across, Travis Head hops back and opens the bat face to guide it down to third man for a single.

3.10

Beaten again! Lovely seam presentation, pitching it up around off and angling it across. Travis Head is caught on the crease and has a poke at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 17/0

D Warner5 (8)

T Head8 (10)

M Jansen2-0-12-0

2.60

Pitched up again around off, shaping it back in, David Warner stays in his crease and nudges it down toward mid on.

2.50

Nice and full around off, David Warner gets forward and pushes it toward covers.

2.40

Gets the line correct this time! Pitched up outside off, swinging it back in, David Warner looks to drive it through covers but is beaten past the inside edge.

2.41wd

Wide! And again! Full and down leg, swinging further down, another good stop from Quinton de Kock diving to his right.

2.41wd

Wide! Prodigious swing and Quinton de Kock saves a certain boundary there. This is pushed full and well down leg, swinging further down leg, de Kock is early to move to his right and has to reach for the ball before pouching it.

2.30

Beauty! Nagging length, on a tight line around off and at 143 clicks, David Warner stays leg side and looks to play at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

2.31wd

Wide! Just a bit too straight this time, still full and shaping down the leg side for a wide.

2.20

Over 142 clicks and full, swinging it into the legs, David Warner plays all around it and gets pinged on the pads.

2.14

FOUR! Hit away for a boundary! Good length around off, David Warner looks to loft it straight down the ground but slices it away over the point region and picks up another useful boundary.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 10/0

T Head8 (10)

D Warner1 (2)

K Rabada1-0-5-0

1.60

Full and around off at 144 clicks, Travis Head drives it with a closed bat face and straight to mid off.

1.50

Beaten! Good length right around the top of off and angling across sharply, Travis Head plays inside the line of this one.

1.44

FOUR! Streaky but will do! Pitched up in the channel around off and leaving the left-hander, Travis Head hans back and has a late poke at it, edging it well wide of second slip and down to third man for four runs.

1.30

On a hard length and around off, Travis Head stands tall and eases it down toward cover.

1.21

Well bowled again but David Warner gets off the mark this time. Hits the deck hard and angles it in from around middle, getting the ball to really shoot off the deck. Warner almost gets cut in half but the ball goes off the glove and toward third man for a single.

1.10

Lovely start from Kagiso Rabada! Bowled on a perfect length around the top of off, wobble seam and at 141 clicks, David Warner is on the back foot looking to get behind the line but the ball shapes past the outside edge.

It will be Kagiso Rabada to operate from the other end.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 5/0

T Head4 (6)

D Warner0 (0)

M Jansen1-0-5-0

0.60

Right on the money to end the over! Just a shade under 140 clicks and zoning in on the top of off stump, Travis Head is a bit tentative to come forward and blocks it out.

0.61wd

WIDE! Looks to inject a bit more pace and bowls it at over 144 clicks but spills it well down the leg side, good diving take from Quinton de Kock though.

0.50

Just a touch fuller, angling it onto off, Travis Head transfers his weight forward and pushes it out toward cover.

0.40

Length again, outside off at 143 clicks and swinging away, Travis Head with another hard swing at the ball but he is beaten all ends up this time.

0.30

Nicely bowled! Perfect length, in the channel around off and gets this one to shape back in. Travis Head makes a good leave.

0.24

FOUR! Travis Head is up and running with an aggressive shot! Pitches this one further up on off, Head just gets low and throws his hands at it, thrashing the ball high over the point region for a boundary.

0.10

Some movement right away! Starts from over the wicket and serves it on a good length around off, getting it to nip away off the deck. Travis Head looks to hang back and drive at it but is beaten past the outside edge.

Commentary

Welcome back for the second essay. The two umpires make their way out to the middle followed by the two Australian openers. Temba Bavuma leads his troops out but not before giving out some final instructions. It will be Travis Head and David Warner to open the innings for Australia. Marco Jansen has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go. Two slips in place. Off we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, this is nowhere close to the total South Africa were after but David Miller has given them something to bowl at. South Africa need early wickets and will have to make sure that Australia do not get off to a flier. On the other hand, Australia will be confident enough to gun down this total. Join us in a bit to see how the chase unfolds.

David Miller, the centurion is down for a chat. Miller starts by saying that it was a big knock for him and if they come out on top, it will be great and adds that it is just the halfway mark and there's still a lot to play for. Adds that they knew the conditions would be slower but losing four wickets in the Powerplay was tough. Adds that they were able to salvage something with that partnership with Heinrich Klaasen and then a couple more down the order. On the partnership with Klaasen, he says that it is all about taking it one ball at a time and ends by saying that they need early wickets and spinners can have a big say in the middle overs and reckons it is a defendable score.

Despite winning what looked like a crucial toss, South Africa needed to survive the challenging new ball phase under heavy cloud cover. They were off to a rocky start as Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock were dismissed inside the first six overs. Even though they looked all at sea, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram showed resistance before throwing in the towel against the relentless Aussie pace attack. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller then got together to steady the sinking ship for South Africa and gave a good account of themselves to weather the storm. As the innings progressed, both batters grew in confidence and were quick to pounce on loose deliveries. Just when South Africa looked to be staging a comeback, Heinrich Klaasen got out on 47, which put them back to square one. David Miller was unperturbed by the fall of wickets at the other end and took calculative risks on his way to a fighting hundred. He was dismissed shortly after bringing up the three-figure score which meant that the Proteas tail was not able to maximize during the back end of the innings.

Having lost the toss, Pat Cummins was hopeful that they would be able to take advantage of the gloomy weather. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood surely did so by putting on an absolute clinic with the new ball. Starc set the tone for the Aussies with a wicket in his first over. It certainly rubbed off on his new ball partner, Hazlewood, who too had the ball on a string to set the cat among the pigeons. Both pacers accounted for two wickets each in their first spell to reduce South Africa to 24-4. After the play resumed after a brief rain interruption, Glenn Maxwell did a good job of keeping things quiet from one end. However, Adam Zampa lacked rhythm from the other end, which forced Cummins to make a bowling change. It proved to be a masterstroke as Travis Head accounted for Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen off successive deliveries, which helped Australia wrestle the initiative back. Just when David Miller was setting himself up for a big finish, Pat Cummins got rid of him which allowed Australia to finish strongly with the ball. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins took 3 wickets each while Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head had two wickets each to their name.

South Africa have been bowled out for 212! Despite David Miller's heroics, the Proteas have been able to post a total that looks well below par at the halfway mark. As for Australia, they were switched on from ball one with the ball and also in the field. All in all, It was a superb bowling performance and the Aussies will be the happier of the two sides at this stage in the game.

49.4W

OUT! TAKEN! Top effort in the deep from Glenn Maxwell and South Africa have been bundled out here! Another off-paced delivery from Pat Cummins, shorter and around off, Kagiso Rabada hangs back again and swats this one away flat down to long on. Maxwell speeds across to his right and dives in low to take it with both hands, making a fairly tough catch look easy. Cummins ends with three wickets and South Africa finish with 212 runs on the board, almost the same score as what Australia posted in the 1999 World Cup semifinal.

49.30

Brings out the bumper now and angles it across off, taking pace off it as well. Kagiso Rabada hangs deep in his crease and looks to take it on but misses.

49.21

Tabraiz Shamsi does his job and gets off strike. The off-cutter now over middle, a bit shorter and turning into the body. Shamsi hops and gets an inside edge off the body onto the deck and they scamper across for a run.

49.11

Calls two but there's never two there! Slower and shorter, dug in across the left-hander, Kagiso Rabada fetches and pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

It will be Pat Cummins (9-0-49-2) to bowl the final over.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 49 overs : 210/9

K Rabada9 (9)

T Shamsi0 (4)

M Starc10-1-34-3

48.61lb

Leg bye! Full and quick again, tailing into the legs, this is a bit too full and thuds into the pads before rolling away through mid-wicket. Kagiso Rabada strolls across for a leg bye.

48.50

Takes a bit of pace off this one and bowls it full and wide, Kagiso Rabada tries to reach it but fails to get any bat on it.

48.40

Swing and a miss! Full and quick, following the batter down leg, Kagiso Rabada throws the kitchen sink at it but only manages to connect with thin air.

48.36

SIX! BANG! Kagiso Rabada takes Mitchell Starc on and swings it away for a maximum. A quick bumper from Starc at 142 clicks and angled at the helmet. Rabada takes it on and swings his bat, dispatching the ball into the stands over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

48.20

Full and wide outside off, gets it in the blockhole, Kagiso Rabada stays leg side and has to really reach for it, only being able to jam it out to covers.

48.10

Close! Full and tailing into the batter's legs at 140 clicks. Kagiso Rabada backs away and looks to slog away but is well beaten and the ball shaves the leg stump as well.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 48 overs : 203/9

T Shamsi0 (4)

K Rabada3 (3)

P Cummins9-0-49-2

47.60

Attempted yorker, turns out to be a high full toss on middle and Tabraiz Shamsi is taken aback by it. The ball is just about under waist height though and Shamsi gets bat on it.

47.50

Another quick bumper, this time over middle and rising quickly, Tabraiz Shamsi looks to get behind the line but takes a blow to the gloves instead.

47.40

Goes full now and bowls it close to the off stump, Tabraiz Shamsi looks to play at it but is beaten past the outside edge.

47.30

Cummins welcomes Tabraiz Shamsi with a nasty bumper, right at the shoulders but Shamsi does well to duck under it.

47.2W

OUT! TAKEN! Straight to the man and Pat Cummins has his revenge! This is banged in short over middle by Cummins, pace on and asking David Miller to take it on again. Miller hangs deep and does go after it, getting a decent connection as well but this is flat and hard toward deep square leg. Travis Head there, stands right on the edge of the ropes and takes the catch but has the presence of mind to just lift it back in the air as his back leg presses onto the ropes and Head takes it on the second attempt with ease. End of a sensational knock by Miller but Australia just one wicket away now from bundling South Africa out.

Tabraiz Shamsi is the last man in for South Africa.

47.21wd

WIDE! Attempted slower bumper, angled across the left-hander and is called a wide.

47.16

SIX! 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man!' What a knock by David Miller and the crowd goes berserk inside Eden Gardens. This is dug in short by Pat Cummins, pace on this time and around off, Miller climbs into the pull shot and massacres it a long way over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Miller is hugged by Rabada before soaking in the applause and the 200 also comes up for South Africa.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 47 overs : 196/8

K Rabada3 (3)

D Miller95 (114)

M Starc9-1-28-3

46.60

Full again, gets the line right this time though, around the toes, Kagiso Rabada jams it out well toward mid on but loses his balance and falls over.

46.52

Nice use of the wrists by Kagiso Rabada! Full now, trying for the toe-crushing yorker but it is overpitched on the legs, Kagiso Rabada clips it away in front of square on the leg side and picks up a couple of handy runs.

46.51wd

Wide! Banged in short and around off, a bit too short though as this one flies over Rabada's head, wide called.

46.41

Full and angled into the leg stump, David Miller is able to get the front leg out of the way and whips it away down to wide long on but just for a single.

46.31

Hard length around off at 142.4 clicks, Kagiso Rabada just bunts it out in front of covers and picks up a quick single. Australia a bit sloppy to allow Rabada that easy single first ball.

Kagiso Rabada is the new man in.

46.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Starc bowls to his field and picks up his third wicket! Comes from around the wicket and bowls it full and wide outside off. Keshav Maharaj stays leg side of the ball and reaches out, trying to get under it and get it over the infield but the ball goes off the toe end and gets lobbed up around mid off. Steven Smith takes a simple catch right on the edge of the circle and South Africa lose their eighth wicket.

46.11lb

Leg bye! Full and gets it to tail back into the legs, David Miller misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads behind square on the leg side. They pick up a leg bye.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 46 overs : 190/7

D Miller94 (112)

K Maharaj4 (7)

P Cummins8-0-42-1

45.61

Keeps bowling it slower and shorter to Miller, outside off as well. Miller gets on top of the bounce and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for a single. Miller is just one hit away now from his century.

45.51

A well-judged run! Back of a length in the channel, Keshav Maharaj hops back and bunts it out in front of point and scampers through for the single. Mitchell Marsh picks up the ball and under-arms the throw onto the stumps at the batter's end but Miller is well in.

45.40

Well bowled! A spicy bumper this, over middle and zipping through, Keshav Maharaj does well to bend his back and sway away from the line of the ball.

45.31

Another slower short ball, gets the height right this time and gets it across the batter, David Miller clubs this one down to long on for just a single.

45.24

FOUR! What timing! Takes pace off and digs it in short and outside off, David Miller picks the length early and fetches the pull before muscling it well in front of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Miller moves into the 90s now.

45.11

On a hard length over middle at 142.5 clicks and Keshav Maharaj gets a bit squared up. The ball goes off the leading edge in front of point and they get a single.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 45 overs : 182/7

K Maharaj2 (4)

D Miller88 (109)

A Zampa7-0-55-0

44.61

Shortens his length even more and bowls it on off, Keshav Maharaj goes on the back foot and cuts it to deep cover for a single.

44.50

Flatter and on off, Keshav Maharaj pushes it from the crease to cover.

44.41

Serves a googly, short and on off, David Miller tucks it through square leg for a single.

44.30

Floated up and turning into the pads, David Miller misses the clip and gets hit on the front pad. Half a shout but the ball was sliding down leg.

44.22

Drops it short yet again, on off, David Miller rocks back once again and hits it hard and wide of long off for a couple of runs.

44.14

FOUR! Hammered in the gap! Adam Zampa bowls it way too short, on middle, David Miller uses the depth of his crease and drills the pull along the ground. Splits the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 44 overs : 174/7

K Maharaj1 (2)

D Miller81 (105)

P Cummins7-0-34-1

43.60

Hurls it on a good length, on off, Keshav Maharaj pats it to cover for a dot.

43.51

Full and at the stumps, David Miller swats it from the stumps to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

43.41

Angling in, on a good length, Keshav Maharaj reaches out and tucks it in front of square on the leg side and opens his account with a single.

Keshav Maharaj is the next batter in.

43.3W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! The short ball with pace does the trick for Pat Cummins! Bends his back and bangs it in short with pace behind it, directs it at the left shoulder of the batter, Gerald Coetzee gets caught by surprise and the ball gets big on him as he tries to pull it away. He ends up getting a glove on it and Josh Inglis behind the wicket, does the rest. Up goes the finger but Gerald Coetzee is a bit unsure. He has a long chat with David Miller and decides to keep walking. The replays show that Coetzee did not hit this and the ball had come off his left shoulder, wonder why he did not review this. A huge moment in the game!

43.21

Another off-cutter, shorter as well, David Miller fetches it from outside off and drags the pull in front of square for a single.

43.10

Angled across the left-hander, slower and shorter, outside off, David Miller waits for the ball to arrive and slaps it on the bounce to extra cover.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 43 overs : 171/6

G Coetzee19 (38)

D Miller79 (102)

A Zampa6-0-47-0

42.60

Keeps it short again, on off, Gerald Coetzee stays leg side of the ball and firms it off the back foot to cover.

42.50

Pulls the length back and bowls it on off, Gerald Coetzee flat bats it a bit uppishly towards the bowler.

42.41

Slows it up and gets this one to turn in, on middle and leg, David Miller clears his front leg to slog it with the turn but swings a bit early. He gets an inside edge onto the front pad and rolls to leg side for one.

42.30

A bit quicker this time but the length is full, outside off, David Miller tries to play it from the back foot but gets beaten again.

42.26

SIX! Powered down the ground! Pushed through, near the tramline on off, David Miller is able to get underneath the delivery and he does not miss out. Thumps it flat and over the bowler's head for a maximum.

42.10

Skidding on, short and on off, David Miller goes back to cut this one hard but the ball sneaks under his bat.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 42 overs : 164/6

G Coetzee19 (36)

D Miller72 (98)

P Cummins6-0-31-0

41.60

Pace on now, on a hard length, angling in, on middle and leg, Gerald Coetzee fends it in front of mid-wicket and sets off for a single. He gets sent back by David Miller as Steven Smith comes charging to prevent the single.

41.51

Continues to bang it in short while taking the pace off, outside off, David Miller drags the pull in front of square for a single.

41.40

Slower and shorter again, outside off, David Miller shapes to pull it away but goes through his shot early and ends up missing it.

41.41wd

WIDE! Into the wicket again, slower and outside off, David Miller tries to fetch this one but the ball sails over his head for a wide.

41.30

Digs it in short and slower, on off, David Miller goes for the pull but has to adjust and glides it from the crease to backward point.

41.20

Takes pace off and bowls it back of a length, on middle, David Miller nails the pull but picks out the man on the ring at mid-wicket.

41.12

Serves it on a back of a length, around off, David Miller gets on his toes and slaps it hard with an angled bat to deep cover where David Warner covers good ground and tumbles to his left. Two runs taken.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 41 overs : 160/6

G Coetzee19 (35)

D Miller69 (93)

T Head5-0-21-2

40.60

Sees the batter advance and angles it across the right-hander, on off, Gerald Coetzee can only push it out in front of cover.

40.51

Way too short, on middle, David Miller backs away and hammers it hard to deep point for a single.

40.40

Tossed up again, around off, David Miller drives it square but Mitchell Marsh does well to make a diving stop.

40.41wd

WIDE! Floated up but down leg, left alone by David Miller for a wide.

40.31

The two batters collide mid-pitch but all is well! Drops it short again, on leg, Gerald Coetzee nudges it in front of square and sets off for a single. The batters look to run on different paths to avoid each other but end up running into each other. A slight collision but they eventually complete the single.

40.21

Sliding onto the pads, a bit short, David Miller tucks it behind square on the leg side for a single.

40.10

Starts his new spell by bowling it short, on middle, David Miller goes back and dabs it towards cover-point.

Powerplay 3! With the extra fielder allowed outside the inner ring now, Pat Cummins might think of bringing Adam Zampa back into the attack against Gerald Goetzee and tempt him to go for the big shot.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 40 overs : 156/6

G Coetzee18 (33)

D Miller67 (89)

G Maxwell10-0-35-0

39.60

Nicely flighted, fuller and around off, Gerald Coetzee gets a stride across and defends it on the full.

39.51

On the shorter side again and at the stumps, David Miller pushes it off the back foot down toward wide long on and picks up a single.

39.40

Slightly shorter around off, played off the back foot toward point.

39.30

Beaten! Another lovely delivery from Glenn Maxwell as he slows it up a touch and floats it up around off, allowing the ball to grip and turn, beating the outside edge of Miller's bat.

39.21

On a length, turning in from around middle, Gerald Coetzee nudges it nicely around the corner and turns the strike over.

39.10

Flighted, on a nagging length and around middle, Gerald Coetzee gets on the front foot and defends it out with soft hands.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 39 overs : 154/6

G Coetzee17 (30)

D Miller66 (86)

M Starc8-1-23-2

38.61

Nicely played! Back of a length, coming in from outside off, Gerald Coetzee lets the ball come on and just gives a tap on the head to guide it down to third man for a single.

38.50

On a good length around off and angling in, Gerald Coetzee stays in his crease and defends it toward point.

38.40

Bends his back a bit and serves a bumper around off, Gerald Coetzee simply sways his head away from the line of the ball and lets it through.

38.30

A touch fuller again, but on a much tighter line and honing in on the off stump, Gerald Coetzee blocks it out well and toward cover-point.

38.24

FOUR! Smashed away and the 150 is up for South Africa! Starc overpitches this one outside off, Gerald Coetzee is allowed to free his arms and just hits through the line of the ball, sending it through the cover region for a boundary.

38.10

Starts the new spell with a good-length delivery, angling it into the pads, Gerald Coetzee gets his hands out in front and pushes it down to mid on.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 38 overs : 149/6

G Coetzee12 (24)

D Miller66 (86)

G Maxwell9-0-33-0

37.61

Slight hesitation but they make it through! Slides this one across off, Gerald Coetzee goes on the back foot and chops it down to short third. After a bit of 'yes and no' the batters go for the single and David Miller has to dive in to make his ground at the keeper's end.

37.50

Flighted delivery around off and turning in, Gerald Coetzee tentatively keeps it out.

37.41

Fuller in length around off, eased away through extra cover for a single.

37.31

Tossed up, on off, Gerald Coetzee drills it hard down to long off and turns the strike over.

37.21

Touch fuller this time, David Miller looks to go big again but heaves it away down to long on for a single.

37.14

FOUR! Up and over! A fraction short around middle and leg, David Miller makes room leg side and frees his arms to go against the spin and muscles it away over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 37 overs : 141/6

G Coetzee10 (21)

D Miller60 (83)

T Head4-0-17-2

36.60

Loopy delivery, on the pads, Gerald Coetzee gets a bit yorked as he jams it down on the leg side.

36.50

This is bowled from around the wicket and on leg stump, this is nudged away to the leg side.

36.40

Tossed up around off, in the slot as well, Gerald Coetzee only manages to hammer it away to the man at extra cover.

36.31

Angled into the stumps, this is tucked away onto the leg side for a run.

36.20

Quicker and flatter, angled into the leg stump, David Miller stays back and keeps it out.

36.11

Very full on off, a low full toss in fact and this is just eased down to long on for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 139/6

D Miller59 (81)

G Coetzee9 (17)

G Maxwell8-0-25-0

35.64

FOUR! Latches onto the short ball and puts it away! A bit of a drag down from Maxwell over middle, turning away, David Miller rocks back and pulls it away in front of square on the leg side for a much-needed boundary.

35.50

Flatter and shorter, at the stumps, David Miller hangs back in his crease and keeps it out.

35.40

Another one on a length and around off, Miller stays back and dabs it down toward backward point.

35.30

On a length and on off, David Miller stays back and edges it down toward backward point.

35.21

Slightly shorter on the stumps, this is worked away off the back foot to square leg for a run.

35.10

Tossed up around the off stump, this is blocked off the front foot.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 35 overs : 134/6

D Miller55 (77)

G Coetzee8 (15)

T Head3-0-15-2

34.60

Full again around off, punched away with sweet timing but can't get it through covers.

34.50

Beaten! Nicely flighted around off, gets it to drift in and then turn away, David Miller looks to get behind the line but gets beaten on the outside edge.

34.40

Floated, full and around off, David Miller gets on the front foot and pushes it toward cover.

34.31

Tosses this one up on middle, Gerald Coetzee advances and eases it down to long on for a single.

34.20

Full and quick around off, pushed out toward covers.

34.14

FOUR! Overpitched and punished! A juicy half-volley outside off, Gerald Coetzee gets to the pitch of the ball and creams it through the cover region for a boundary.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 34 overs : 129/6

G Coetzee3 (12)

D Miller55 (74)

G Maxwell7-0-20-0

33.61

Slows it up a bit and drifts it in around off, Gerald Coetzee has a tentative push at it but gets an outside edge to the left of short third. The fielder there dives and keeps it down to a single.

33.50

Outside the line! Tossed up outside off, this one grips and spins, Gerald Coetzee gets a big stride out and gets hit on the pads outside the line of off stump.

33.40

Flatter delivery, around off, Gerald Coetzee blocks it out gently toward short cover.

33.30

And again! Quicker, turning it into the stumps, Gerald Coetzee keeps it out.

33.20

Nagging length around off, turning in quickly, Gerald Coetzee defends it well from his crease.

33.11

Full and outside off, David Miller leans on and strokes it past the diving man at cover-point for a single.

Drinks break! Travis Head has wrestled the initiative back for Australia in just two deliveries. With one end open now, the Aussies might go for the kill by bringing in their pacers and wrap up the innings quickly. Just when South Africa were starting to breathe easy, Heinrich Klaasen was dismissed which put them in a precarious position again. As a result, the onus is now on David Miller who has stood tall so far and now he has the task of batting with the tail to keep South Africa's hopes alive of a respectable total.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 33 overs : 127/6

G Coetzee2 (7)

D Miller54 (73)

T Head2-0-10-2

32.60

Floated, a bit fuller and wider of the off stump, turning in, Gerald Coetzee puts a big stride across and defends it to covers.

32.50

Short and around off, turning in, Gerald Coetzee stays back and forces it back to the bowler.

32.40

Oh, beats the outside edge! This is flighted, full and outside off, Gerald Coetzee gets a stride across to smother the spin but this one slides on and goes past the outside edge. Josh Inglis is quick again to dislodge the bails.

32.31

Comes from around the wicket to the left-hander and bowls it short again outside off. This is cut way off the back foot to deep point for one more.

32.21

Shorter this time and outside off, Gerald Coetzee pats it away off the back foot in front of point and turns the strike over.

32.10

Floated up full on the pads, spinning in. Gerald Coetzee keeps it down to short leg.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 32 overs : 125/6

G Coetzee1 (2)

D Miller53 (72)

G Maxwell6-0-18-0

31.61

Comes from over the wicket and throws this one up outside off, looking for turn, Gerald Coetzee gets down to the pitch of the ball and swats it down to long on for a single.

31.51

Sliding onto the pads, David Miller works it away behind square on the leg side and picks up a single.

31.40

Fires it in at the stumps, David Miller watchfully defends it out.

31.34

FOUR! Get's it through and that will be FIFTY for David Miller, a very solid knock under immense pressure. A touch short and wide, Miller rocks back and punches it wide of the man at covers for a boundary. Can Miller take his side to 200 from here?

31.20

Top delivery from Glenn Maxwell! This is flighted on on off, drifting in and then just grips and turns away sharply. David Miller gets on the front foot to defend but is beaten past the outside edge and Josh Inglis whips off the bails. The umpires go upstairs but there's nothing on UltraEdge and the back foot is grounded inside the crease.

31.10

Full and quick from around the stumps, onto off stump, David Miller defends it off the front foot.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 31 overs : 119/6

G Coetzee0 (1)

D Miller48 (67)

T Head1-0-8-2

30.60

Almost! Turn again but Gerald Coetzee gets his bat down in time! This is bowled a touch shorter and outside off, turning in sharply. Gerald Coetzee goes on the back foot and pushes it out toward mid on. What a topsy-turvy over and Australia back in the driver's seat.

Gerald Coetzee walks out now and first up, he has the task of keeping out the hat-trick ball.

30.5W

OUT! LBW! A loud appeal and given! Travis Head with the golden arm and he has two in two but wait, Marco Jansen has reviewed it. This is tossed up again, on a shortish length and bowled from wider on the crease as well. The ball turns in a long way after pitching and Marco Jansen gets caught on the back foot. Jansen goes right across his stumps trying to work it away but gets rapped on the pads in front of the stumps. Nothing on UltraEdge and three reds come up on Ball Tracking. Head on a hat-trick here as South Africa are six down in a jiffy!

Marco Jansen comes out to the middle.

30.4W

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Travis Head has the last laugh here as he sends Heinrich Klaasen packing! What a huge wicket this could turn out to be in the context of this game as well. Head tosses this one up on a fuller length and on off, not many revolutions on the ball but this one turns in a touch. Klaasen is the bearer of his own downfall as he opts to defend off the back foot and ends up playing inside the line. The ball beats the bat and crashes into the stumps and Head has broken the stand.

30.30

Quicker and following the batter down leg, Heinrich Klaasen fails to get it away.

30.24

FOUR! Two in a row and South Africa are really starting to get a move on here. This is dropped short and around off, Heinrich Klaasen rocks back and flat-bats it to the right of mid off for a boundary.

30.14

FOUR! Up and over! Doesn't get all of it but enough to take it to the fence. Starts from around the wicket and tosses it wide of off, Heinrich Klaasen gets under it and lifts it over the extra cover region and the ball trickles away to the fence.

Travis Head has now been tossed the ball.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 30 overs : 111/4

H Klaasen39 (44)

D Miller48 (67)

G Maxwell5-0-12-0

29.61

Flatter yet again, on leg, Heinrich Klaasen works it behind square for a single to keep the strike.

29.50

Short and on the stumps, Heinrich Klaasen pats it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

29.41

Short and turning away, on off, David Miller uses the depth of the crease to play it towards deep cover for a single.

29.30

Short again, around off, David Miller hangs back and dabs it towards point.

29.20

Bowls it short and on off, David Miller blocks it out from the crease

29.11

A bit short and down leg, Heinrich Klaasen reaches out and nudges it through square leg for a single.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 29 overs : 108/4

D Miller47 (64)

H Klaasen37 (41)

A Zampa5-0-40-0

28.60

Floated up again, on middle, David Miller gets on the front foot and defends it out watchully.

28.50

Slows it up and bowls it on off, David Miller pushes it back to the bowler.

28.46

SIX! A gift from Adam Zampa and David Miller says thank you very much! Adam Zampa tries to float it up but loses his grip and ends up serving a juicy full toss, on middle, David Miller needs no second invitation as he holds his shape and swings cleanly to smoke it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

28.30

A googly, full and on off, David Miller reads it well and keeps it out to cover.

28.21

Oh...risky single! Floated up, on off, Heinrich Klaasen prods forward and knocks it down the ground towards wide mid off. He times it too well but still calls David Miller through for the single. Steven Smith moves well to his right and picks up the ball cleanly before having a shy at the non-striker's end. Klaasen has to run around Zampa but he is helped by Smith failing to hit the target.

28.11

A bit of a drag down, on off, David Miller eases it down to long off and turns the strike over.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 28 overs : 100/4

D Miller40 (59)

H Klaasen36 (40)

G Maxwell4-0-9-0

27.61

A bit too straight, on the pads, David Miller clips it off his pads to backward square leg for one more run.

27.50

Angles it in, outside off, David Miller prods forward and leaves the ball alone.

27.41

This is bowled short and turning into the pads, Heinrich Klaasen nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

27.30

Slanting in on leg, a bit short, Heinrich Klaasen works it off the back foot to square leg.

27.21

Nicely tossed up by Glenn Maxwell, full and on off, David Miller winds up to go for the big shot but changes his mind at the last moment to run it down to short third man for one.

27.12

Drops it short does Glenn Maxwell, short and on off, David Miller goes on the back and cuts it late to get it past backward point for a couple of runs.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 27 overs : 95/4

H Klaasen35 (38)

D Miller36 (55)

A Zampa4-0-32-0

26.60

Flighted again, on off, Heinrich Klaasen drives it gently off the front foot to cover.

26.50

Fullish delivery, at the stumps, knocked back to the bowler by Heinrich Klaasen.

26.46

SIX! Back-to-back sixes but this is even better! Slows this one up a bit and gets this one to turn away from the right-hander, short in length, Heinrich Klaasen gets into a good position again and fetches it from outside off. Hits it against the turn but still he gets the power to clear the deep mid-wicket fence for six more runs.

26.36

SIX! Short and punished with ease! Adam Zampa dishes out a googly and shortens his length as well, on middle and leg, Heinrich Klaasen is quick to pick the length and rocks on the back foot in a flash. He holds his shape and dispatches the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

26.21

Tosses it up yet again, turning in, on middle, David Miller gets the weight on the front foot and eases it to long off for one.

26.11

Floated up, on middle and leg, Heinrich Klaasen shows a straight bat and knocks it down to long off for a single.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 26 overs : 81/4

D Miller35 (54)

H Klaasen22 (33)

P Cummins5-0-27-0

25.60

Goes wide of the crease this time and delivers it touch fuller, on off, David Miller is quick to get on the front foot and blocks it to the right of the bowler. A tidy over from Pat Cummins.

25.50

Again on that tight length, on off, David Miller covers the line of the ball and keeps it out down the wicket.

25.40

Good bumper! Bends his back and bangs it in short, over middle, David Miller ducks initially as he tries to hook it away but the ball climbs on him a bit and sails over his bat.

25.30

At 140.3 clicks, on a good length, on the fifth stump line, David Miller gets on the front foot and jams it down in front of cover.

25.20

Angling in, on a back of a length, around off, David Miller lets the ball come to him and defends it right under his eyes.

25.12

Comes from around the wicket but offers width outside off, on a back of a length, David Miller stands tall and extends his arms before punching it away on the up. He hits it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 25 overs : 79/4

D Miller33 (48)

H Klaasen22 (33)

G Maxwell3-0-4-0

24.61

Shortens his length even more and bowls it on off, David Miller backs away and drills it hard along the ground to deep point. Retains the strike with a single.

24.50

Pushed through, on middle and leg, nudged from the crease to mid-wicket.

24.40

Tossed up, on middle, David Miller knocks it off the front foot to mid on.

24.30

Short and on off, David Miller dabs it with an open bat face to backward point.

24.21

Floated up, on off, Heinrich Klaasen leans on and drives it through covers. He wants to come back for the second but the fielder in the deep, swoops in quickly and David Miller sends him back.

24.10

Turning in a touch, short, on middle, Heinrich Klaasen pushes it back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 24 overs : 77/4

H Klaasen21 (31)

D Miller32 (44)

P Cummins4-0-25-0

23.61

Digs it in short again, slower this time, on off, Heinrich Klaasen controls the pull and gets it through square leg for a single.

23.50

On a length, on off, Heinrich Klaasen stays leg side of the ball and pats it to cover.

23.44

FOUR! Flailed away! Pat Cummins bowls it on a shortish length and offers width outside off, Heinrich Klaasen hops to get on top of the bounce and frees his arms to slap it over backward point for a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

23.30

A bit too straight, back of a length, at the hips, Heinrich Klaasen misses the clip and gets hit on the front pad.

23.21

Drags the length back and bowls it on off, David Miller opens the face of his bat and runs it down to third man for a single.

23.10

Serves it on a good length, at the stumps, David Miller gets on the front foot before clipping it away to mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 23 overs : 71/4

H Klaasen16 (27)

D Miller31 (42)

G Maxwell2-0-2-0

22.60

Fuller in length, on off, Heinrich Klaasen drives it firmly but Glenn Maxwell dives well to his right to keep it to a dot.

22.50

Quicker, at the stumps, punched hard down the wicket towards Glenn Maxwell by Heinrich Klaasen.

22.41

Slows it up now, on the pads, a bit short as well, David Miller works it through mid-wicket for a single.

22.30

A bit fuller, on off, David Miller pushes it out towards mid off.

22.20

Angled in again, on off, David Miller defends it solidly off the front foot.

22.10

A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Fired in, around off, David Miller looks to get on the front foot to keep it out. The ball skids on to rap him on the front pad and then it goes onto hit the bat. Australia do not go for the review as the impact looked to be outside off.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 22 overs : 70/4

D Miller30 (38)

H Klaasen16 (25)

P Cummins3-0-19-0

21.61

Hurls it on off, on a good length, David Miller gets half-forward and drops it in front of short extra cover for a single.

21.50

Much closer to the off-stump and shorter in length, David Miller is quick to read the line and length of the delivery and lets it through.

21.40

Angling away, on a good length, outside off, David Miller gets a stride forward and leaves the ball alone.

21.31

Takes pace off this time and bangs it in short, over middle, Heinrich Klaasen stays back in his crease and does not move his feet much as he goes for the pull. The weight is on the back foot and he splices his shot in the air but well in front of deep square leg for a single.

21.20

Short of a length again, on off, Heinrich Klaasen hangs back and punches it hard to mid off.

21.10

Bowls it on a hard length, over middle, Heinrich Klaasen covers the line of the ball well and defends it back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 21 overs : 68/4

D Miller29 (35)

H Klaasen15 (22)

G Maxwell1-0-1-0

20.60

A bit slower than the previous delivery, angling in on the pads, David Miller works it off the front foot to sqarue leg.

20.50

Flatter delivery, just outside off, David Miller watches it well and stabs it in front of point.

20.40

At the stumps, fractionally short, David Miller pats it from the crease to mid-wicket.

20.30

Darted in from around the wicket, on off, David Miller prods forward and keeps it out.

20.21

Drops it short, over middle, Heinrich Klaasen backs away and flat bats it past extra cover but the fielder at wide mid off does well sliding to his left to keep it to one.

20.10

Starts off from over the wicket, pushed through, on leg, Heinrich Klaasen nudges it out in front of mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 67/4

D Miller29 (31)

H Klaasen14 (20)

P Cummins2-0-17-0

19.60

On a good length around off, angled across, David Miller gets on the front foot and plays it toward cover.

19.54

FOUR! Nicely chipped away by Miller! Pitches this one up on the pads, David Miller flicks it uppishly and through the big gap at mid-wicket, the ball races across the practice pitches and goes into the fence.

19.40

Skiddish length around middle at 142 clicks and angled across the left-hander. David Miller covers the line well and defends it back to the bowler.

19.31

Good length on off, sliding on nicely to the bat, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and eases it wide of mid off for a run.

19.20

Hard length over middle, shooting off the deck, Heinrich Klaasen is taken aback a bit but does well to fend it away.

19.10

Starts the new spell right on the money! Good length, angling it onto off and middle, Heinrich Klaasen blocks it well off the front foot.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 62/4

D Miller25 (28)

H Klaasen13 (17)

A Zampa3-0-18-0

18.60

Quicker and flatter on middle and leg, David Miller goes on the back foot and just about keeps it out on the leg side.

18.56

SIX! BOOM! David Miller yet again picks the correct delivery to go big and dispatches it into the stands. Zampas drops his speed down to 85 clicks from the 90s and serves it full on leg stump. Miller frees his arms and gets under it before whacking it over cow corner for a biggie.

18.40

Pushed through quicker again and targeting the pads, David Miller manages to keep it out.

18.30

Shorter this time on middle and at 95 clicks, David Miller looks to tuck it off the back foot but ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads.

18.20

Nicely flighted, on a nagging length and on off, David Miller leans forward and watchfully keeps it out.

18.11

Flatter delivery, a bit quicker as well and on off, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and punches it down to long off for a single.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 55/4

D Miller19 (23)

H Klaasen12 (16)

J Hazlewood8-3-12-2

17.60

Another maiden for Josh Hazlewood, his third one of the game! This is short again and around the body, David Miller just closes the bat face early looking to nudge it behind square on the leg side but misses and gets hit on the body.

17.50

This is dug in short around the front shoulder and David Miller awkwardly fends it away off the glove and back onto the deck. Still no runs off Josh Hazlewood's bowling after the resumption.

17.40

Well left! Serves this one up around the off stump, trying to swing it back in but the ball just slides on. David Miller prods forward and leaves it alone.

17.30

Shorter, at the body, David Miller hangs back and dabs it down in front of mid-wicket.

17.20

Again in the channel around off, just pulls back the length this time and David Miller shoulders arms at it.

17.10

Pitched up in and around the off stump, shaping it away from the left-hander. David Miller leaves it alone.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 55/4

D Miller19 (17)

H Klaasen12 (16)

A Zampa2-0-11-0

16.61

Pushed through a bit quicker around off, David Miller leans on and pushes it gently toward cover for a single.

16.56

SIX! David Miller has had enough and decides to break the shackles! Picks the right delivery as well does Miller because this is bowled right in the slot on off and turning in. Miller heaves it with the turn well over the long on fence for the first maximum of the game. The 50 is finally up for South Africa as well.

16.40

Bowled from the front of the hand on middle and leg, David Miller gets a good stride forward and defends it with soft hands.

16.31

Tossed up, full and onto middle, this is driven away nicely along the ground down to long off for one more.

16.21

Flatter one, pushed through around middle, David Miller uses his feet a bit and works it away past mid-wicket for a single.

16.10

Slows it up and bowls it full on middle, David Miller shapes up for the big shot but decides against it and just nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 46/4

H Klaasen11 (15)

D Miller11 (12)

J Hazlewood7-2-12-2

15.60

Maiden! Josh Hazlewood showing great control even after the break and he serves this one up at the batter, trying to angle it into the off pole. Heinrich Klaasen stays watchful and defends it down the pitch.

15.50

Length, on the fifth stump line and going straight on, this is left alone by Heinrich Klaasen.

15.40

Floats a gentle outswinger outside off, Heinrich Klaasen gets on the front foot and strokes it to the right of cover but can't get it through.

15.30

Right around the top of off and angling in, Heinrich Klaasen solidly blocks it out in front of covers.

15.20

Play and a miss! Served on a good length outside off, this one just kisses the deck and nips away. Heinrich Klaasen is stuck on the crease and tries to play away from the body but is beaten past the outside edge.

15.10

Perfect length, in the channel at 140 clicks and slanting in. Heinrich Klaasen gets on the front foot and blocks it down in front of point.

It will be Josh Hazlewood (6-1-12-2) to steam in from the other end.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 46/4

D Miller11 (12)

H Klaasen11 (9)

A Zampa1-0-2-0

14.60

This time the length is shortened and it is bowl around the pads, David Miller goes on the back foot and works it 'round the corner for no run. Tidy start from Zampa, just the two singles off it.

14.50

Slower through the air and loops it up on middle and leg, David Miller turns it to the man at square leg.

14.40

Lovely delivery! A googly now, delivered on a nagging length around off and turning away sharply. David Miller looks to get on the front foot and block but the ball zips past the outside edge.

14.31

A bit quicker and fuller outside off, Heinrich Klaasen hangs back in his crease and firms it down to long off for a single.

14.21

Floats this one up full and outside off, asking the batter to go after it. David Miller drives well but another sharp stop by the fielder at short cover and the ball is parried toward mid off. They pick up a single.

14.10

Starts off with a nicely tossed-up delivery, fuller and on middle, turning in. David Miller watches it well and works it away toward mid-wicket.

We are all set for the play to resume. The two umpires and players make their way out to the middle. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller will resume their innings for South Africa. It will be Adam Zampa to resume the proceedings with the ball for Australia. Let's play...

UPDATE - Good news! The drizzle has eased off and the covers are coming off. Considering the intensity of the drizzle, we should not be far away from a restart. And yes, as expected, the match officials have decided that the game will resume at 3.55 pm IST (10.25 am GMT). Live visuals show David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen waiting near the dugout while the Aussies are going through their paces near the ropes.

UPDATE - 3.14 pm IST (9.44 am GMT) - Uh oh! It has started to drizzle and the covers are coming on. Only the square has been covered for now but the ground staff are hovering around with the rest of the covers in anticipation of a heavier shower. Live visuals show the match officials having discussions with the ground staff as the Australians chit-chat near their dugout. Stay tuned for more news.

Drinks break! It has been all Australia in the first 14 overs of the 2nd semi-final. Mitchell Starc ​​​​and Josh Hazlewood have hunted in pairs to put South Africa in early trouble and with still help on offer, Pat Cummins will look to get in on the act. On the other hand, South Africa are off to the worst possible start with most of their in-form batters back in the hut. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller need to rebuild the innings and steady the ship which looks to be sinking at the moment.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 44/4

D Miller10 (7)

H Klaasen10 (8)

P Cummins1-0-12-0

13.61

Shorter in length and angled across off, David Miller hangs back and dabs it down past the diving man at backward point toward third man for a single. Best over of the innings by a mile for South Africa as 12 runs come off it.

13.54

FOUR! Just short and through for a boundary as well! Pat Cummins pitches this one up right on the stumps and gets the ball to gold up. David Miller looks to get on the front foot but is early into the shot as the ball gets lobbed off the face of the bat to the right of mid on. Josh Hazlewood seems to have that one covered but the ball bounces in front of him and skids through to roll away into the fence.

13.41

Drop and run! Hard length again over middle and angling in, Heinrich Klaasen stays put and nudges it down with gentle hands in front of mid on before getting across to the other end.

13.30

Hits the deck hard and keeps it just over the off stump, Heinrich Klaasen deals with the extra bounce and blocks it down on the deck.

13.22

Bangs it in short and angles it in at the body, Heinrich Klaasen hops and nudges it down behind square leg for a couple of quick runs. Good, positive running!

13.14

FOUR! Pat Cummins is greeted into the attack with a lovely shot from Heinrich Klaasen. Pitches this one up right in the slot outside off, Klaasen just leans on and reaches out before creaming it through the cover region for a boundary.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 32/4

D Miller5 (5)

H Klaasen3 (4)

M Starc7-1-18-2

12.60

Rising up from a good length over middle at almost 143 clicks, David Miller stays back and fends it well onto the leg side.

12.51

Shortish length around leg stump, Heinrich Klaasen hops and nudges it down in front of mid-wicket for an easy single.

12.41

Pulls the length back and bowls it at 141.6 clicks around the top of off, angling in. David Miller with a tentative defensive attempt and the ball goes off the inside edge down to fine leg. Miller gets a single.

12.30

Full again and just drifting down leg, David Miller misses the flick and the ball goes off the back leg to the right of the keeper.

12.20

Full again, gets it swinging into the pads this time, David Miller flicks it to square leg.

12.21wd

Wide! Full and swinging well down leg, left alone for a wide.

12.11

Chipped but falls in the gap! Starc pitches this one up right around the off stump, Heinrich Klaasen looks to get on the front foot and drive but the ball holds in the surface and goes off the face of the bat through the gap at covers. They get a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 28/4

D Miller4 (1)

H Klaasen1 (2)

J Hazlewood6-1-12-2

11.64

EDGED AND FOUR! Josh Hazlewood gets his line and length spot on to the left-hander as well. David Miller looks to play at it but gets an outside edge that lands in front of the man at second slip and goes through the slip cordon into the third man fence for a boundary.

David Miller makes his way out to the centre now.

11.5W

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! This time it goes straight into the bread basket of Steven Smith at second slip! This is a world-class spell from Josh Hazlewood and he picks up his second wicket as well. Bowls this one jus a fraction fuller and keeps it close to the off pole. Rassie van der Dussen is tentative to get on the front foot and ends up jabbing at it with hard hands. The ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Smith who takes a sharp catch. South Africa in a spot of real bother now.

11.41

Edged but short! Immaculate length again from Josh Hazlewood, tighter around the off pole. Heinrich Klaasen looks to stay back and block it out but gets an outside edge that goes down low to the right of second slip and off the fielder's hand there it is deflected toward third man for a single.

11.31

Banged in a bit shorter this time around off, Rassie van der Dussen stays put and lifts the front leg before pulling it down through mid-wicket for a single.

11.20

A bit fuller this time, in and around the off pole and angling in sharply, Rassie van der Dussen blocks this one out from his crease.

11.10

Bowled back of a length around off and angling in, Rassie van der Dussen gets right behind the line of the ball and blocks it out.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 22/3

H Klaasen0 (1)

van der Dussen5 (27)

M Starc6-1-14-2

10.60

Another outswinger, at 140.6 clicks, on a good length and pushed well across the off stump. Heinrich Klaasen leaves it alone for the keeper to collect.

Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in with South Africa struggling at 22-3.

10.5W

OUT! CAUGHT! The move to keep Mitchell Starc on for a prolonged spell has worked wonders and Aiden Markram is a goner. Starc pitches this one up outside off at 137.4 clicks, forcing the drive out of the batter. Markram goes after it but there's is just enough movement away off the deck which makes the ball take the outside edge of the bat and get sliced to the left of the point. David Warner there springs to his left and pouches it brilliantly with both hands. Just when it looked like the Proteas were getting back in the game, Starc has dealt them a big blow.

10.40

On a hard length and in the channel, angling across, Aiden Markram lets it through to the keeper.

10.30

Aiden Markram's eyes lit up as he went for that drive but yet again, Marnus Labuschagne makes a fine stop. Too full and wide outside off, Markram throws his hands at it and toe-ends it to the right of cover where Marnus dives and makes the stop.

10.20

Corrects the line now and bowls it right around the top of off, Aiden Markram covers the line well and blocks it out.

10.14

FOUR! A bit too straight from Mitchell Starc again and Aiden Markram helps himself to another boundary. On a good length around leg and sliding on, Markram just tucks it away neatly with timing and the ball races away. The fielder from deep backward square leg covers a fair distance to his left but can't get to it.

Powerplay 2! A bit more relief for the South African batters as the field can now spread out and they will be able to find more gaps. Although, Australia might look to keep attacking for a few more overs.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 18/2

A Markram6 (15)

van der Dussen5 (27)

J Hazlewood5-1-6-1

9.61

Delivers it on a length, on off, Aiden Markram eases it out to the right of mid off and retains the strike with a single.

9.50

Another beauty from Josh Hazlewood! Gets this one to jag back in sharply, on a hard length, around off, Aiden Markram stays leg side of the ball as he looks to play at it and gets beaten on the inside edge by the sharp inward movement.

9.40

Bowls it with an upright seam, into the wicket, around middle and leg, Aiden Markram goes for the pull but he is through his shot very early and wears it on the back on his right hand.

9.30

This is bowled on a short of a length, around off, Aiden Markram gets on top of the bounce to steer it to point.

9.20

Lands it on a length, on off, Aiden Markram prods forward this time and stabs it to cover.

9.10

Hurls it on a back of a length, on off, Aiden Markram stands tall and punches it on the bounce only to pick out David Warner at cover.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 17/2

A Markram5 (9)

van der Dussen5 (27)

M Starc5-1-10-1

8.61lb

Leg bye! Drifts on the pads yet again, on a length, Aiden Markram misses the tickle as the ball rolls off his pads behind square for a leg bye.

8.50

On middle and leg again, full as well, Aiden Markram hits this one a bit uppishly but well in front of mid on.

8.44

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Aiden Markram and South Africa! A rare loose delivery from Mitchell Starc, full and on the pads, Aiden Markram clips it aerially but in the vacant square leg region for his first boundary and the first boundary of this game after 52 balls.

8.30

Ripper! Shaping in, around off, on a length, Aiden Markram shapes to clip it away but the ball jags back in sharply to cut Markram in half. Moreover, it was not that far from the off-stump.

8.21

It's Marnus Labuschagne this time! The Aussies are throwing themselves around making life even more difficult for South Africa! Pitched up by Mitchell Starc, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen shuffles across to the off side again and drives it firmly towards wide mid off where Marnus Labuschagne flies to his left and keeps it to just the single.

8.21wd

WIDE! Wayward from Mitchell Starc as this is banged in way too short and down leg, Rassie van der Dussen leaves it alone for the keeper to collect.

8.10

This is bowled on a good length, around off, Rassie van der Dussen gets behind the line to this one and stabs it in front of cover.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 10/2

van der Dussen4 (25)

A Markram1 (5)

J Hazlewood4-1-5-1

7.61

Slants this one back in, on a good length, on off, Rassie van der Dussen shimmies down the track again and pats it in front of mid on for a single. It has taken South Africa 8 overs to get into double figures.

7.50

Sees the batter shuffle across and bangs it in short, over off and middle, Rassie van der Dussen can only duck underneath this delivery and let the ball go.

7.40

In the channel on off, on a good length, shaping away, Rassie van der Dussen has a feel for the delivery but the ball nips away to beat him on the outside edge yet again.

7.31

Bowls it on a hard length, outside off, Aiden Markram uses his feet and taps it in front of cover for a single.

7.20

Lands this one on a back of a length, on off, Aiden Markram dabs it from the crease towards point.

7.10

Angling in, on a good length, on middle, Aiden Markram tucks it off the back foot in front of mid-wicket..

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 8/2

van der Dussen3 (22)

A Markram0 (2)

M Starc4-1-4-1

6.60

Beaten again! On a short of a length, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen moves off side early again to get push it away but the ball moves away and beats him on the outside edge. Back-to-back maidens for Australia!

6.50

Around off, on a length, Rassie van der Dussen opens the bat face to guide it towards cover-point where David Warner springs to his left and puts in a full-length dive to prevent the single. How many runs has Warner saved already?

6.40

Going across the right-hander, length delivery, Rassie van der Dussen goes for an expansive drive again, only to connect with thin air.

6.30

On the off-stump line, on a length, Rassie van der Dussen plays it from the crease towards point.

6.20

This is bowled outside off, on a length, width on offer for Rassie van der Dussen who throws his hands at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

6.10

Angling in, on a length, on off, Rassie van der Dussen prods forward and blocks it out towards cover.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 8/2

A Markram0 (2)

van der Dussen3 (16)

J Hazlewood3-1-3-1

5.60

A wicket-maiden from Josh Hazlewood! On a good length, at the stumps, Aiden Markram gets behind the line and keeps it out on the off side.

5.50

Beaten! Shortish delivery, on off, Aiden Markram hangs on the back foot and looks to cut but the ball climbs on him and cramps him for room before zipping past the outside edge.

Aiden Markram is the new man in.

5.4W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Fantastic catch from Pat Cummins and it's the big wicket of Quinton de Kock! South Africa's in-form batter succumbs to the pressure of dots! Josh Hazlewood continues from over the wicket and delivers it with a scrambled seam, on a length, outside off. The width on offer tempts Quinton de Kock and he goes through the line to go over the bowler. He does manage to get underneath the delivery but skies it high in the air towards mid on where Pat Cummins backpedals and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through. He reverse cups it and the ball does not pop out when he tumbles backwards while completing the catch. Hazlewood dismisses de Kock for the eighth time in 15 meetings!

5.30

Goes full this time, on middle, Quinton de Kock firms the drive with a straight bat but straight back to the bowler.

5.20

On a hard length, on middle, Quinton de Kock looks to get on the front foot but the ball gets a bit big on him and he fends it on the off side.

5.10

Short of a length, on middle, Quinton de Kock hangs on the back foot and tucks it in front of mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 8/1

van der Dussen3 (16)

de Kock3 (10)

M Starc3-0-4-1

4.60

This is bowled fuller now, on middle, driven crisply to mid on by Rassie van der Dussen.

4.52

Back of a length, on off, Rassie van der Dussen gets on his toes this time and punches it between cover and mid off. Collects a couple of runs as Marnus Labuschagne slides to pull it back.

4.40

Overpitched by Mitchell Starc, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen extends his arms and drives it off the bottom half of the bat towards cover-point. David Warner this time, dives away to his left to keep it to a dot again. Rassie van der Dussen is itching to break the shackles here.

4.30

Fine stop! Angling away, on a good length, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen premeditates by moving to the off side and opens his bat face to caress it through covers. David Warner stationed there dives away to his right and does well to parry the ball away to mid off.

4.20

Zoning in on the off-stump line, full in length, Rassie van der Dussen is more confident this time as he blocks it out towards mid off.

4.10

Shaping in a touch, on a length, on middle and leg, Rassie van der Dussen does well to account for the late inward movement and stabs it in front of mid on.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 6/1

van der Dussen1 (10)

de Kock3 (10)

J Hazlewood2-0-3-0

3.61

Tailing in sharply, on off, a bit fuller, Rassie van der Dussen prods forward to defend but gets an inside edge that rolls down to fine leg for a run. End of another probing over from Josh Hazlewood.

3.50

Beauty! Gets this one to nip away, on a good length, on off, Rassie van der Dussen looks to defend this from the crease but the ball shapes away to zip past the outside edge. Josh Hazlewood goes up in appeal but does not find much support from the rest of the players.

3.40

In the corridor of uncertainty again, on a good length, Rassie van der Dussen pushes out away from the body but can't get it past Glenn Maxwell at backward point.

3.31

Lands it full now, at the stumps, Quinton de Kock gets the weight on the front and nudges it away behind square on the leg side for a single.

3.20

Back of a length, in the channel on off, Quinton de Kock stays back in his crease this time and lets it through again.

3.10

At 139.6 clicks, on a good length, angling across the left-hander, outside off, Quinton de Kock presses forward and shoulders arms as the ball is collected near his head by Josh Inglis.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 4/1

van der Dussen0 (7)

de Kock2 (7)

M Starc2-0-2-1

2.60

A tempter by Mitchell Starc, full and width on offer outside off, Rassie van der Dussen does not take the bait and leaves the ball alone. Another tidy over from Mitchell Starc.

2.50

Angled away this time, full and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen is happy to leave the ball alone.

2.40

Much better from Starc! Fuller in length, outside off, there is late away movement, Rassie van der Dussen goes for the drive but mishits his shot back to the bowler.

2.41wd

WIDE! Drifts down leg, on a length, Rassie van der Dussen gets inside the line to help it fine but misses out. Wide called by the umpire.

2.31lb

Leg bye! Straying on the pads, full again, Quinton de Kock misses the clip as the ball rolls off his pads to fine leg for a leg bye.

2.20

On a fullish length, going away, on off, Quinton de Kock tries to access the leg side initially but adjusts well to work it towards point.

2.10

Beaten! This is pitched up by Mitchell Starc, swinging away, outside off, Quinton de Kock gets drawn into the drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 2/1

van der Dussen0 (4)

de Kock2 (4)

J Hazlewood1-0-1-0

1.60

Jaffa to end the over! Hurls it on a back of a length, top of off, Rassie van der Dussen hangs back in his crease to defend but the ball jags back in sharply and rises off the deck to cut him in half.

1.50

Goes slightly wide of the crease and slants this one in, at the stumps, on a good length, Rassie van der Dussen gets behind the line and pats it towards mid on.

1.40

Shaping in, a bit fuller, on off, Rassie van der Dussen looks to get on the front foot to block this one but gets squared up a bit and manages to keep this one out on the off side.

1.30

Bends his back and bangs it in short, over off, at 139.3 clicks, Rassie van der Dussen sways out of the way and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

1.21

Serves it away on a length, outside off, Quinton de Kock pushes hard at the delivery and gets an outside edge that rolls down to third man for a single.

1.10

Starts off on a hard length, angling away, around off, Quinton de Kock tries to play at it but pulls out of his shot seeing the extra bounce and lets it through.

Rassie van der Dussen walks out to bat at number 3 as Josh Hazlewood picks up the other new ball.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 1/1

T Bavuma0 (4)

de Kock1 (2)

M Starc1-0-1-1

0.6W

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Mitchell Starc strikes early and this is just the start Australia needed! Bowls this one much closer to the off stump, on a good length, a bit of inward movement, Temba Bavuma is drawn into the defence as he hangs his bat out without any foot movement and plays it away from the body as well. He gets an outside edge that is pouched safely by Josh Inglis low to his right. An early blow for South Africa as Temba Bavuma departs without troubling the scorers.

0.50

Pulls his length back a touch, in the channel on off, Temba Bavuma watches it well and shoulders arms to the delivery.

0.40

Gets this one to angle across the right-hander, full and near the tramline outside off, left alone by Temba Bavuma.

0.30

Keeps it full again, just outside off, Temba Bavuma jams it down with an angled bat back to Mitchell Starc.

0.21

Quinton de Kock and South Africa are away! A bit too straight, full and on the pads, some late away movement, Quinton de Kock clips it neatly towards square leg where Travis Head dives to his left but parries the ball away to his left, allowing a single.

0.10

Starts on the money! Goes full right away from over the wicket, on the off-stump line, a bit of away movement, Quinton de Kock shows a straight bat and pushes it back to the bowler.

Done and dusted with the pre-game formalities and it is now time to get the 2nd semi-final underway! Former Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting rings the bell to signal the start of play as the umpires and Australian players take their places on the field. Quinton de Kock and skipper Temba Bavuma are all set to open the innings for South Africa. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and will look to make the most of the overhead conditions early on. A couple of slips in place, let's go...

We are minutes away from the start of the match but first, the two sets of players, along with their mascots line up for their respective national anthems under heavily overcast skies. It will be the national anthem of Australia first followed by the national anthem of South Africa.

Australia's skipper Pat Cummins says that they would have batted first as well but feels that there will be swing on offer due to the gloomy weather. Mentions that South Africa play a pretty similar style and adds that it was unfortunate that they have lost the last few games against the Proteas. Reckons that having been in these situations, they have the experience to rely on. States that they were not at their best in the first couple of games but adjusted well after that. Further adds that they have been really positive in the last 7 games and there were a couple of games where they had no right to win. Informs that they have made two changes to the team - Glenn Maxwell comes in for Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott makes way for Mitchell Starc.

Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa says that the weather did come into consideration but you have to back your strengths. On his fitness, he says that he isn't 100 percent fit but it has to be good enough. Says that captaining his side to a semifinal isn't something he even dreamt of but they will look to play their best. On taking inspiration from their Rugby counterparts, he says that they sent their best wishes and will look to follow in their footsteps. Informs that they have one change in the team with Tabraiz Shamsi coming in for Lungi Ngidi.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell (In for Marcus Stoinis), Josh Inglis (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc (In for Sean Abbott), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi (In for Lungi Ngidi).

TOSS - Temba Bavuma gives the coin a flip and it lands in his favour. South Africa have opted to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Mpumelelo Mbangwa is pitchside. He starts by saying that there is a 36 percent chance of rain. Adds that the boundaries are 65 meters square and 75 meters straight. Matthew Hayden joins him and says that the big question is how much the pitch is going to turn and the average degree of spin here has been 3.5 and he reckons it will be tough to score runs against the spinners. Adds that 300 will be a good score and Mbangwa ends by saying that the team winning the toss might bat first.

On the flip side, Australia started the World Cup with twin losses before they picked themselves up to get on a winning spree. Pat Cummins' men never looked back since their victory against Sri Lanka, registering 7 wins on the trot to secure the semi-final berth. David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell stood up and delivered across the league stage for Australia, but what will be more pleasing is that Steven Smith returned to form with an unbeaten 63-run knock against Bangladesh. Playing as the lone frontline spinner, leggie Adam Zampa has shouldered the responsibility, which has boded well for the Aussies. When it comes to the pace department, Josh Hazlewood has led the way, while Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have also made their presence felt. The five-time champions are no stranger to knockout games and are eyeing their 8th ODI World Cup final appearance. Who will be taking the flight to Ahmedabad to meet India in the final? Let's find out. Toss and team news coming up in a bit.

South Africa began their World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins before suffering a shock defeat against the Netherlands. Temba Bavuma and Co. bounced back from that jolt by winning 5 of their next 6 games to qualify for the semi-final. Quinton de Kock has set the stage on fire in his final ODI World Cup, as have Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram. Gerald Coetzee has stood out with the ball, and he has found good support from Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada. After straining his hamstring against Afghanistan, fitness concerns loom large for Temba Bavuma, and if he misses out, it will be a blow for the Proteas. South Africa will be hoping to bury the ghosts of that 1999 semi-final defeat and make it to their maiden Men's World Cup final.

Whether it is the tied semi-final at Edgbaston during the 1999 World Cup or the record 438-run winning chase at Wanderers, Australia and South Africa have produced humdingers over the years. A new chapter is about to be written in that rivalry as they square off at the iconic Eden Gardens for a place in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. A high-flying Indian team awaits the winner of this mouth-watering clash in the final at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium.

... MATCH DAY ...

Let us go back 24 years when it was the 1999 ICC ODI World Cup semi-final and Australia was playing South Africa. The scores are tied. Lance Klusener is on strike and he hits the ball and sets off for the run, but Allan Donald is looking at the ball, and by the time he starts running, it is too late and he drops his bat too. Australia runs him out by a mile and moves on to the final because they finished higher in the Super 6 table. It was heartbreak for the Proteas then, it was heartbreak for them in 2007 as well. However, they have the opportunity to avenge those defeats in this edition at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. South Africa have played some fantastic cricket in this tournament and finished second with seven wins. Their batting has been their biggest strength with Quinton de Kock being in the form of his life and already scored three hundreds as well including one against the Aussies. Temba Bavuma, though, has struggled with his form but Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram have played some good knocks too. They have power hitters like David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen who have been brilliant as well with the latter lighting up the competition with a smacking century against England. The worry for them is that they look like a completely different side when they chase as they have struggled in that area. They lost while chasing against the Dutch and were completely blown away by the hosts in this exact stadium, but the good thing for them is that they are coming into this game after a successful chase against the Afghans. They got into a tricky position in that game as well but were able to get over the line and that should give them more confidence. Gerald Coetzee is their leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets in seven matches while Marco Jansen is not far behind as he has picked up 17 wickets in eight matches. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have played more of a supporting role here while Keshav Maharaj has been absolutely amazing as the leading spinner for them. They have a big decision on their hands whether they want to play Tabraiz Shamsi on this turning track as they did against India or go with four seamers which has been their strength. The Proteas have also defeated Australia in the last four ODIs including the game in the league stages and that too by a 100+ run margins. They will look to take this momentum forward and make their first-ever World Cup final. Australia, on the other hand, the most successful team started the competition with two losses but roared back by winning the next seven games. Aussies in World Cups are different gravy and the Afghans found that out the hard way when Glenn Maxwell played probably the greatest ODI innings ever by scoring a sensational double hundred and winning the game single-handedly from a difficult position of 91-7. Travis Head returned from his injury and scored a century in his first World Cup game but he hasn't made much of an impact after that. However, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh are in pretty good form with the latter also smashing a big daddy hundred in the last game against Bangladesh. Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith have been a bit inconsistent but they have gotten some runs under their belts. They have been playing Josh Inglis in place of Alex Carey but he also hasn't scored much while Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis haven't played to their potential. Pat Cummins will be hoping that their top order fires again and the others also step up as there are no second chances now. Their bowling too have been a bit hot and cold with their main pacer, Mitchell Starc not having a great World Cup while Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have done well in patches. Adam Zampa has been their best bowler and is leading the bowling charts with 22 scalps in nine matches and on this wicket, he will be the key for them. Although their record against South Africa in recent times havn't been that good, in World Cups they have the upper hand and will look to use their experience to make it to yet another final. The forecast suggests that rain could play a part in this game but all the knockout games have a reserve day and we hope that we don't need it. The stage is perfectly set for these two big rivals to collide, and we can expect a cracking contest. One team will take a step closer to the trophy while the other will go back home. Whose side are you on?