Australia beat South Africa in low-scoring thriller to reach 2023 Cricket World Cup final against India

Australia reached the Cricket World Cup final after beating South Africa in a tense and thrilling semi-final at Eden Gardens.

Having seen over 700 runs scored in the first semi-final as India beat New Zealand, this was a far tenser affair as Australia just got over the line chasing 213.

David Miller’s 101 lifted South Africa to a respectable total after they were reduced to 24-4.

Australia raced to 60-0 in reply but the introduction of spin changed the complexion of the chase completely as wickets started to fall and scoring became harder.

A gripping finish saw Australia reduced to 193-7, but captain Pat Cummins (14) and Mitchell Starc (16) saw them home with three wickets remaining.

Australia will face hosts India - who overcame New Zealand - in Sunday’s final.

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat, but made a terrible start.

Temba Bavuma, who has been struggling for fitness and form, was the first to go when he edged a Starc delivery into the grateful hands of Josh Inglis with just the sixth ball of the contest.

Quinton de Kock, so often the star man for South Africa, fell for three before the dismissals of Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen left South Africa’s innings in tatters at 24-4.

Enter Miller to salvage what he could for the Proteas with a stunning knock of 101 that included eight fours and five sixes.

Miller and Heinrich Klaasen (47) made the only meaningful contributions in a batting order that was dismantled for 212 all out by some elite fielding and brilliant bowling by Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

In response, the Aussie openers wasted little time in eating into their deficit. Whereas it took South Africa 52 balls to hit their first boundary, Australia reached 50 in less than six overs.

David Warner hit back-to-back sixes as the Aussies threatened to make light work of their run chase, but his wicket was the catalyst for a comeback.

He was bowled by Markram before an incredible catch by the flying Van der Dussen then got rid of Mitchell Marsh to ignite hope of an unlikely victory as Australia fell to 61-2.

Travis Head was dropped on 40 but was dismissed for 62 when Keshav Maharaj joined the attack, and the peril of the situation increased further for the Aussies when Marnus Labuschagne went for 18 after mistiming a reverse sweep facing Tabraiz Shamsi.

Needing 80 to win, Glenn Maxwell entered the fray but didn’t last long when a wild swipe went wrong, leaving the chase in the balance at 137-5.

Gerald Coetzee gave South Africa further hope as he dismissed Steve Smith (30) and Josh Inglis (28) to leave Australia 193-7.

But Australia had chipped away at the total enough and bowlers Starc and Cummins secured the win with 16 balls left.

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