December 25, 2024
Cricket World Cup: Australia beaten by South Africa in Manchester
England will face Australia in the World Cup semi-finals on Thursday after Aaron Finch’s side were edged out by South Africa in a thriller at Old Trafford.
South Africa claim thrilling win over Australia
Australia fell 10 runs short in the competition’s final group game and, as a result, will head to Edgbaston to face England while India, as group winners, will play New Zealand at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
“It is going to be a blockbuster,” said Australia captain Finch. “It doesn’t get much bigger than England v Australia in a World Cup semi-final.
“The fans are always entertaining down there (Edgbaston). It is going to be a fantastic atmosphere.”
Chasing 326 for victory, Australia fell to 95-3 and lost Usman Khawaja to a hamstring problem, but David Warner’s imperious century gave the defending champions hope of a win.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey hit out in the final 10 overs as he scored a fine 85 but, with 51 needed from 28 balls, he holed out, and Australia could not regain the momentum.
South Africa’s total had been set up by a fine ton from captain Faf du Plessis and 95 from Rassie van der Dussen.
Australia, meanwhile, will travel to Birmingham with injury concerns over three key players.
Khawaja did come back out after going off early in Australia’s innings but could barely run, Marcus Stoinis had treatment on his side while batting and Mitchell Starc appeared to feel some discomfort while bowling.
| World Cup group table | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | P | W | L | T | NR | RR | Pts |
| 1 | India (Q) | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.809 | 15 |
| 2 | Australia (Q) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.868 | 14 |
| 3 | England (Q) | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.152 | 12 |
| 4 | New Zealand (Q) | 9 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0.175 | 11 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 9 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | -0.43 | 11 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | -0.919 | 8 |
| 7 | South Africa | 9 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | -0.03 | 7 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 9 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | -0.41 | 7 |
| 9 | West Indies | 9 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | -0.225 | 5 |
| 10 | Afghanistan | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | -1.322 | 0 |
Australia, who also face England in an Ashes series after the World Cup, looked downbeat as they left the field – something that will not have gone unnoticed by England.
“If England have to take a snapshot of today, it would be at the end – Australia’s batsmen consoling each other, the team as a whole looking dejected with hands in pockets,” noted BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew.
“They have got to lift themselves up now.” – bbc.com
