World Cup 2023: Dominant South Africa beat Australia by 134 runs

De Kock’s century lifts South Africa to 311-7

LUCKNOW (Web Desk) – South African defeated Australia by 134 runs the 10th match of the World Cup 2023 at Lucknow International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Australia earlier won the toss and chose to bowl first against South Africa. Bavuma and de Kock have opened the innings. De Kock smashed a century, helping his team to post 311 runs on the board.

Australia’s Glen Maxwell picked up two important wickets for just conceding 34 runs in 10 overs.

In reply, Australia bowled out for 177 runs. Marnus Labuschagne remained top scorer with 46 runs.

South African bowlers, Rabada picked up three wickets while Maharaj, Samshi took two wickets each.

 

All-round excellence helps South Africa continue their victorious run in the #CWC23 #AUSvSA : https://t.co/GS4t9OwQlM pic.twitter.com/lOmGGsHblI

— ICC (@ICC) October 12, 2023

Earlier report 

Australia were stunned to a six-wicket loss to India in their tournament opener. The five-time champions will be keen to atone against a South Africa side that broke a host of records on their way to an impressive 102-run triumph over Sri Lanka in their first appearance at the event. 

The opponents were recently engaged in a five match ODI series in South Africa. The Proteas won the series 3-2. 

The battle between Australia fast bowlers and South Africa's top-order will be pivotal to the outcome of the match. Both teams will be hoping to gain the upper hand with a strong performance in this area of the game.  

Marcus Stoinis was unavailable to play as a bowler in the first match in Chennai due to a hamstring issue that had kept him out of the last two ODIs against India and the two warm-up games. However, he is fit and available for selection, and he might come in for the struggling Cameron Green. 

Australia are unlikely to make any other changes unless there are any queries around the fitness of the three fast bowlers given they only had three days off and there is another short turnaround before the next game against Sri Lanka.

Squads

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

South Africa have no fitness concerns to speak of, only tactical decisions to make. They have to decide whether to stick with the same team that belted Sri Lanka or add a second spinner in Tabraiz Shamsi given Australia's weakness against spin and his recent success against them.

If Shamsi were to come in, Gerald Coetzee appears the likely man to, unfortunately, miss out.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.

Key Players

Australia: Mitchell Starc

The experienced left-armer picked up just one wicket during Australia's opening match at the tournament. He sent India opener Ishan Kishan packing in the very first over of the match.

Early breakthroughs are going to be crucial for Australia in this match given South Africa's strong batting line-up and Starc will be hoping he can get some swing from the wicket and make inroads.

South Africa: Aiden Markram

The right-hander looked in superb touch when he smashed the fastest century in Men's Cricket World Cup history against Sri Lanka and is sure to be the prized wicket that the Aussies will be chasing.

Markram brought up his hundred with a huge six off Dilshan Madushanka, reaching the milestone off just 49 deliveries and beating the previous record held by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against England in 2011, by one delivery.

The South African No.4 is more than capable of adjusting his playing style to the different conditions that he comes across to. He will be keen for another big score.  

Pitch and conditions

The pitches at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium were dug up after IPL 2023 where it was widely regarded as the worst surface in the tournament. That followed the sacking of the curator in the wake of a low-scoring T20I between India and New Zealand in January.

There have only been four ODIs here, and the highest score batting first in those games was 253. Both pace and spin were equally successful in those games. However, on the eve of the game, Australia captain Pat Cummins said he was expecting "pace and bounce" after taking a look at the Lucknow pitch.

Stats and trivia

David Warner became the quickest player to 1000 World Cup runs, reaching the mark in his 19th innings against India. He needs just 53 runs to go past Adam Gilchrist to second all-time on Australia's list of World Cup scorers behind Ricky Ponting.

Adam Zampa has gone wicketless in four of his 10 ODIs this year, and has only five wickets in five ODI World Cup matches in his career at an economy rate of 7.

South Africa's middle order has the highest average (44.6) and run-rate (6.4) over the last four years in ODIs. Australia's middle order average 29.9 at a run-rate of 5.40 over the same period.

But South Africa's powerplay bowling is the worst in the world this year, averaging 43 with an economy rate of 6.6 in ODIs in the first 10 overs of their bowling innings. Australia's power play bowlers average 40.7 but have an economy rate of 5.4.