South Africa fought a long fight but it was their low score of 212 coupled with multiple dropped catches that helped Australia edge past them in the thrilling second semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2023 played at the Eden Gardens on Thursday. After winning the toss, South Africa found themselves in trouble from the very beginning. 12 overs into the game, South Africa could only manage 24 runs on the scoreboard. Worse, they had four batters back in the hut. It was David Miller’s gritty 101 along with Heinrich Klaasen’s 47 that helped the Temba Bavuma’s side cross the 200 mark on the big night.
Australia began their run chase in a hurry, with 60 runs coming off just the first 6 overs but the departure of dangerous David Warner and Mitchell Marsh going back soon after for a duck put brakes on Australian innings. Sure, the Aussie opener Travis Head scored 62 in 48 but after he was gone in the 15th over, Australian batters played a watchful innings.
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South Africa kept picking up wickets at regular intervals but they also dropped plenty of catches.
In the end, it was the Aussie tail that displayed a solid fight as Mitchell Starc (16*) and Pat Cummins (14*) shared a match-winning stand of 22 runs* for the eighth wicket, which sealed the fate for South Africa.
Bavuma’s captaincy came under fire, his bat being quiet in the World Cup was discussed too. The half-chances, the dropped catches were debated. South Africa had “choked” once again in a World Cup semi-final. All things combined, South Africa faced the brunt of disappointed cricket fans who put out the said reasons as to why the Proteas lost.
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“Bavuma Was Disappointing”
Please stop posting negative tweets about Temba Bavuma, I can't like them all. #SAvsAUS pic.twitter.com/fZ7oCjuMBS— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) November 16, 2023
Three biggest mistakes by South Africa in World Cup 2023:– Making Bavuma Captain.– Selecting Bavuma in playing 11.– Selecting Bavuma in World Cup Squad.
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) November 16, 2023
Australia is Australiaing. South Africa is SouthAfricing and World Cup is WorldCupping pic.twitter.com/OZ1gYGBPke— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 16, 2023
When it comes to batting, taking DRS and deciding what to do after winning the toss pic.twitter.com/ZIDT6DRQ8U— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 16, 2023
Temba Bavuma's contribution to his team in this World Cup. pic.twitter.com/M90WwmMVkh— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) November 16, 2023
Contribution of legend Brigadier Temba Bavuma in this World Cup for South Africa :#SAvsAUS pic.twitter.com/vryjS0HoAH— Ambani jiii (@ambani_jiii) November 16, 2023
“Catches Win Matches”
Markram cried when De Kock dropped another catch of Pat Cummins. This is 3rd catch of the day he dropped. #SAvsAUS #Bavuma #Chokers #Proteas #semifinals2023 #WorldcupFinal pic.twitter.com/BpQRcPxdFa— Mufa (@MufaKohlii) November 16, 2023
Dropped Catches Costed This Match to South Africa . Panauti Chokers etc what ever you called them but they fights really well ❤️ #AusvSA #SAvAus #AusvsSA #SAVSAUS pic.twitter.com/Vb3dBzZIUs— ™ (@Swetha_little_) November 16, 2023
“Once a Choker, Always a Choker “
Lost in Semi-Final of 1992 WC.Tie in Semi-Final of 1999 WC.Lost in Semi-Final of 2007 WC.Lost in Semi-Final of 2015 WC.Lost in Semi-Final of 2023 WC.– Heart breaking for South Africa…!!! pic.twitter.com/yWY9jjQbou
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 16, 2023
And the pattern of choking persists!We've identified the reason why South Africa is struggling. — de KockThe dropped catches will haunt him for his entire life..!!#SAvAUS #SAvsAUS #chokers #choke #Chokers pic.twitter.com/NFaz7HGqnx— Anandkumar (@AnandKu00958429) November 16, 2023
Things are not changed for South Africans Dropped Catches Costed This Match to South Africa . Panauti Chokers etc what ever you called them but they fights really well #AUSvsSA #SAvAUS #Chokers #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/ujPGlpdYT5— Tapu Gada (@SanjuD53602) November 16, 2023
Five-time World Champions Australia will now meet Rohit Sharma’s India on Sunday, November 19 in the grand finale.
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