Australia’s bowlers have come to life below stormy skies in Kolkata, ripping the guts out of South Africa with an unplayable opening barrage to depart the Aussies needing 213 runs to make it to their eighth World Cup last.
Mitchell Starc (3-34) and Josh Hazlewood (2-12) breathed fireplace into Australia’s quest, producing close to unplayable deliveries on a vigorous pitch in a mesmerising Power Play the place they allowed simply 18 runs and took two wickets.
They had South Africa on the verge of turning tail at 4-24 earlier than rain halted play.
However, a scintillating 101 after the break from David Miller saved the Proteas aggressive, as they have been dismissed for 212.
Starc regarded a brand new man because the ball got here to life within the Kolkata gloom, eradicating South African skipper Temba Bavuma within the first over for a duck.
Josh Hazlewood had Proteas talisman Quinton de Kock crushed on the skin and run-machine Rassie van der Dussen crushed on the within.
De Kock bided his time however may wait no extra within the sixth over, skying Hazlewood excessive into the murky clouds.
Pat Cummins made gentle work of the tough probability handy his facet the right begin.
After eight overs, South Africa lastly reached double digits and located their first boundary 52 balls into the innings.
But the autumn of Aiden Markram for 10 had the Proteas in serious trouble at 3-22.
It solely acquired worse as Hazlewood put van der Dussen out of his distress, caught at second slip for six off 31.
Drizzle handed the Proteas respite and momentum as Miller discovered confidence together with boundaries.
He and Heinrich Klaasen picked their strokes completely in opposition to Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell, placing on almost 100.
But a stroke of genius from Travis Head introduced South Africa crumbling down once more.
He acquired met with two straight fours from his first two deliveries from across the wicket.
So he moved over the wicket and located himself on a hattrick as he bowled Klaasen for 47 after which trapped Marco Jansen plumb lbw with a low turner for a golden duck.
Miller continued to seek out the rope as he wanted to, taking a specific liking to Zampa.
But it was a colossal most off Cummins over mid-wicket that noticed the South African celebrating triple figures, however the ecstasy was short-lived as he was out caught one authorized supply later.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
