Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets in the second semifinal of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday to seal their spot in the summit clash against India.
The Aussies bundled out South Africa for a score of 212 in 49.4 overs before chasing down the target successfully with 16 balls and 3 wickets to spare.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who finished off the run chase alongside Mitchell Starc at the crease said that being out there in a situation which he could control was better than sitting in the dugout.
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
“I think it was easier out there than sitting in the dugout. A nerve-wracking couple of hours but it was good to get the result,” Cummins said.
“Wasn’t expecting Starc and Hazlewood to bowl so much early. We knew it was going to spin later on but there was a bit of cloud cover so I wasn’t too disappointed about bowling first.”
Australia’s performance in the field played a crucial role in their victory and Cummins made sure to touch upon the effort of the players, singling out David Warner’s catch to dismiss Aiden Markram.
“We talk a lot about our fielding, probably wasn’t up to standard at the start of the tournament but we were fantastic today. Especially Warner who’s 37.”
Travis Head collected the Man of the Match award for his contributions with both the bat and the ball as he smashed 62 runs off 48 deliveries after having picked up two wickets in the first innings. While wicketkeeper Josh Inglis chipped in with a patient 28 run knock off 49 balls at a crucial time for the Aussies.
“Head was the man today, to take that crucial wicket in the middle overs. Inglis played that beautifully, he looked in total control out there, especially against two quality spinners.”
The game against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium scheduled for Sunday will be Australia’s 8th appearance in a 50-over World Cup final.
“Few of us have played in a final before, a couple of other guys in a T20 World Cup final, the stadium is going to be packed, mostly going to be one-sided but it’s about embracing it,” the Australian skipper opined.
“The 2015 World Cup was a career highlight, so to be playing another final in India, we are very happy as a unit, and we can’t wait,” he concluded.
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