Australia on Thursday defeated South Africa in a thrilling encounter to set up a clash against India in the World Cup final. This has given hopes to millions of Indian fans that Team India will now get a chance to avenge the defeat of 2003.
Batting first at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, South Africa could only manage 212 all out in 49.4 overs. David Miller was the top scorer with a fighting knock of 101, while Heinrich Klaasen contributed with 47. Mitchell Starc was the most successful bowler with 3-34.
Australia started their run chase on an explosive note as Travis Head and David Warner began to hit South African fast bowlers to all around the stadium for fours and sixes. Such was their ease in facing South African bowlers that they amassed 60 runs in six overs without losing any wickets. However, the introduction of spinners such as Aiden Markram and Tabraiz Shamsi did the trick as Warner and Glenn Maxwell departed in no time. Head continued to build the Australian innings but he too had to depart for 62.
Even though Australia needed to score not more than two runs an over but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. It wasn’t until the 48th over when Pat Cummins felt enough was enough as he began to play aggressively and scored the winning run.
Australia will now face India in the final for the World Cup title. The final between India and Australia will remind fans a similar encounter between them in 2003 in South Africa. Australia had comfortably won the final as they defeated India by 125 runs to lift the World Cup title.
India are the only undefeated side in the ongoing competition and favourites to win the title. India have won the World Cup title on two occasions, first in 1983 and then in 2011.
In contrast, Australia have won the titles on a record five occasions. The last time they won the title was in 2015 at their home ground.