‘Aise hi chokers thodi kehte hain inko’ – Fans react as Australia beat South Africa in 2nd ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final by 3 wickets

The ODI World Cup 2023 final is on the horizon, with India poised to clash with Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19. The Australian secured a 3-wicket victory against South Africa in the second semi-final at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Thursday, November 16, setting the stage for an intense championship showdown.

Talking about the match, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat. However, Australia came out with the bit between their teeth. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were relentless with their lines and lengths and created pressure on the Proteas from the very first over of the match. 

Starc dismissed skipper Temba Bavuma on a duck and a few overs later, South Africa’s in-form batter Quinton de Kock also went back to the pavilion. It has led to South Africa scoring just 28 runs in the first 12 overs and losing 4 wickets. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller steadied South Africa’s innings in the 12th over, facing adversity at 44/4 in 14 overs due to rain. 

Upon resumption, the duo not only prevented further wickets but also applied pressure with aggressive shots. Their partnership reached 95 in 113 balls before Travis Head’s double breakthroughs tilted the match in Australia’s favor. Miller, reaching his 25th ODI half-century, and late contributions from Kagiso Rabada propelled South Africa to a total of 212 runs. Despite setbacks, their resilience added a competitive edge to the innings in the Australia vs. South Africa World Cup semifinal.

David Miller’s century went in vain

Chasing the target, Australian openers Travis Head and David Warner made a strong start, amassing 60 runs in the initial 6 overs. However, a strategic move by Bavuma in the 7th over saw Aiden Markram dismissing Warner, and Kagiso Rabada sent Mitchell Marsh packing for a duck. 

Despite Head’s resilient innings of 62 runs, Australia faced adversity at 137-5. Keshav Maharaj claimed Head’s wicket and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi struck twice, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession. 

However, Steve Smith and Josh Inglis stitched a brilliant 37-run stand for the 6th wicket. Gerald Coetzee dismissed both Smith and Inglis but it was too late for the Proteas as the Kangaroos defeated them by 3 wickets with 2.4 overs remaining. 

Here’s how fans reacted: