ICC’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has started, and fans all around the world are buzzing with excitement and anticipation of this global tournament. One can only imagine the exhilaration surrounding the clash between the 3rd ranked ODI team (South Africa) and the 4th ranked ODI team (Australia).

This clash took place on the 12th of October in Ekana Sports City, Lucknow. The match was filled to the brim with drama, thrill, and impressive performances. This blog will provide you with every detail that you need to know about the Aus vs SA clash.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Toss and Playing XIs

The Australian captain, Pat Cummins, won the toss and chose to bowl first in this highly anticipated Aus vs SA game, the 10th match of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Here are the playing XIs that took the ground in that game

• South Africa’s Playing XI

1. Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper)
2. Tempa Bavuma (captain)
3. Rassie van der Dussen
4. Aiden Markram
5. Heinrich Klaasen
6. David Miller
7. Marco Jansen
8. Kagiso Rhabada
9. Keshav Maharaj
10. Lungi Ngidi
11. Tabraiz Shamsi

• Australia’s Playing XI

1. Mitchelle Marsh
2. David Warner
3. Steve Smith
4. Marcus Labuschagne
5. Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper)
6. Glenn Maxwell
7. Marcus Stoinis
8. Mitchelle Starc
9. Pat Cummins (captain)
10. Adam Zampa
11. Josh Hazelwood

Aus vs SA World Cup 2023 Scorecard

Here’s the scorecard of this exciting game:

South Africa’s Innings

Australia’s Innings

South Africa’s Innings

• Glorious Beginnings for the Proteas

The two South African openers, Quinton de Kock and the skipper, Tempa Bavuma, stepped onto the ground with confidence and conviction. De Kock started showcasing his aggressive and destructive batting skills quite early in the game, as he smashed numerous boundaries in just a few overs.

The duo managed to form a magnificent 1st wicket partnership of 108 runs off 118 balls in this action-packed Aus vs SA match. On the third delivery of the 20th over, a cracking delivery from Glenn Maxwell ended this partnership as the South African skipper had to depart for 35 runs off 54 balls.

Rassie van der Dussen joined de Kock at the crease but was not able to extend his stay. An unlucky shot on Adam Zampa’s delivery resulted in an easy catch and the demise of the right-handed batsman.

The scoreboard read 158/2 in 28 overs, a sign of a solid start from South Africa.

• Middle Order Kept Runs Flowing in

Aiden Markram came out to accompany the lethal batsman at that moment, Quinton de Kock. The pair managed to create a partnership of 39 runs off 38 balls. This partnership proved to be crucial as it resulted in de Kock completing his 1st World Cup 2023 century as well.

However, an end came to de Kock’s outstanding innings in the 35th over when he was forced to return to the pavilion for 109 runs off 106 balls. An unlucky shot by Glenn Maxwell, resulting in the absolute destruction of the stumps, was the cause of the removal of the star opener.

Heinrich Klassen came to the crease with the scoreboard reading 197/3 and fulfilled his batting duties as he continued the game’s momentum set by his former teammates. A vital partnership of 66 runs off 50 balls was formed between Aiden Markaram and Heinrich Klassen.

Aiden also celebrated his half-century before he was removed by Mitchelle Starc for 56 runs. He was soon followed by his partner Klassen, who fell prey to Josh Hazelwood. South African team found themselves with 267/5 in 43 overs.

• Satisfactory Finish for South Africa

David Miller came to the crease with confidence and hoped to contribute more towards his team’s growing pile of runs. Accompanied by Marco Jansen, the duo managed to add 43 runs more to the team’s total.

The last over proved to be rather unlucky for the South African team as Mitchell Strac was able to bag two wickets in this dramatic Aus vs SA match. Marco Jansen and David Miller both fell prey to Starc’s deadly bowling as South Africa finished at a grand total of 311/7 in 50 overs.

Australia’s Innings

• A Disappointing Start For the Aussies

The Australian openers, Mitchelle Marsh and David Warner, stepped onto the ground with enthusiasm to chase the big total ahead. However, luck was not on their side, as Mitchell Marsh had to depart for only 7 runs in the 6th over.

Exactly one over later, David Warner joined his opening partner in the pavilion as he was removed by Lungi Ngidi. Warner was only able to contribute a mere 13 runs to this lengthy chase.

Marnus Labuschangne joined Steve Smith at the crease; however, he failed to contribute any more than 19 runs to the scoreboard. Steve Smith, the last member of the Australian top order, was also not able to serve his team in times of need.

A cracking delivery by Khagiso Rhabada resulted in an LBW appeal, which was given as not-out by the on-field umpire. However, the Proteas skipper’s quick decision-making ability resulted in a review and reversal of the decision in South Africa’s favor. The scoreboard for Australia now read 50/3 in just 10 overs.

• Collapsing Middle Order and Trouble for Australia

Josh Inglis came out to join Marnus Labuschangne on the ground. He, however, was just able to hit one boundary before he was removed by a fiery delivery of star pacer Khagiso Rhabada for only 5 runs. The Australian team found themselves in need of a partnership as wickets kept tumbling down.

Glenn Maxwell, the iconic batsman known for his ruthless batting style, replaced Inglis at the crease. Unfortunately, he, too, gave away an easy catch and was removed by Keshav Maharaj in the 17th over.

Things quickly turned from bad to worse for Australia. Marcus Stoninis, the batsman replacing Glenn Maxwell, was also forced to return to the pavilion just one over later for only 5 runs. The scoreboard read 70/6 for Australia, with 242 runs still left to chase.

• Starc-Labuschagne Partnership Igniting Hope for Australia

Marnus Labuschangne desperately waited for a partner with whom he could start a stable run chase. Luckily for him, Mitchelle Strac came out onto the field. The pair was able to form a solid partnership of 69 runs off 98 balls.

In this union, 27 runs off 51 balls were contributed by Starc, and 36 runs off 47 balls were made by Labuschagne. The above-mentioned duo were able to take the Australian score from 70/6 in 17.2 overs to 139/7 in 33.3 overs.

This elevating phase was short-lived as in the 33rd over, Starc was removed by Marco Jansen for 27 runs. Only 6 deliveries later, Marnus Labuschagne followed Strac’s pursuit. The highest run scorer for Australia in this match was sent back to the pavilion by Keshav Maharaj for 46 runs.

• A Disheartening Result for Australia

Aussie captain Pat Cummins stepped onto the field with the hope of saving his team from an inevitable collapse. He, however, was only able to contribute 22 runs towards the team’s chase. A partnership of 32 runs off 35 balls was created between Cummins and Adam Zampa in a last attempt to save their team from a heavy defeat.

In the 41st over, the Australian skipper had to return back to the dugout as he was removed by the spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. The last player of the Australian team, Josh Hazelwood, was also not able to save his team from demise as he was also removed by Shamsi in the same over, just two deliveries later.

The 5 times former World Cup Champions, Australia, were bowled out for 177 runs in 40.5 overs. The South African team enjoyed their 2nd World Cup win by 134 runs.

Conclusion

The Aus vs SA match was fascinating for fans and resulted in a glorious victory for the Proteas. Quinton de Kock was named as the Player of the Match in this gripping Aus vs SA match for his fabulous 109 runs off 106 balls.

In this clash between two highly talented teams, many incredible individual performances made rounds. Among the noteworthy batting knocks, Aiden Markram and Marcus Labuschagne accompany Quinton de Kock’s classy batting display. In the bowling section, Kagsio Rhabada’s 3/33 earned some well-deserved praise from fans.

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