S Africa in trouble before drizzle halts semi v Australia

Thursday, 16 November 2023 13:53

By Reuters

South Africa were reeling at 44-4 in the second semi-final of the 50-overs cricket World Cup against Australia when light rain stopped play at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.

Temba Bavuma's decision to bat first backfired as South Africa's top order was blown away by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood who claimed two wickets apiece.

Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, both batting on 10, have a huge rebuilding job ahead of them when play resumes.

Bavuma had earlier elected to bat in overcast conditions and made a four-ball duck in the first over in what was a dream start for five-time champions Australia.

Australia bowled with exemplary discipline and amped up the pressure with their electric fielding, best illustrated when Pat Cummins back-pedalled and took a tumbling catch to dismiss opener Quinton de Kock in the sixth over.

India beat New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday to book their place in Sunday's final in Ahmedabad.

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