In the 10th match of the ODI World Cup 2023, South Africa beat Australia by 134 runs. In a one-sided game, Proteas have thrashed the Aussies in all three departments. The heroes for South Africa were wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock and pacer Kagiso Rabada. After De Kock’s century, Rabada clinched three early wickets and set the tone of the match.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Australia skipper Pat Cummins opted to bowl first. His decision didn’t go well with the team, as South African openers De Kock and Temba Bavuma added 108 runs for the first wicket. Bavuma, in his innings, scored 35 runs off 55 balls with the help of two boundaries. On the other hand, De Kock, in his innings, scored 109 runs off 106 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes.
In the end, Aiden Markram’s half-century and poor fielding efforts from the Australian team helped Proteas cross the 300-run mark. Markram, in his innings, scored 56 runs off 44 balls with the help of seven boundaries and a six. Meanwhile, for Australia, pacer Mitchell Starc and spinner Glenn Maxwell were the best bowlers. Both clinched two wickets each and helped Australia restrict South Africa to a decent total of 311/7 in 50 overs.
Kagiso Rabada changed the momentum of the game
Chasing a 300+ target Australia failed to hold nerves and lost quick wickets. Opener Mitchell Marsh and David Warner were dismissed by Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, respectively. They added just 27 runs for the first wicket and failed to get the needed base. After their departure, Proteas pacer Kagiso Rabada clinched three back-to-back wickets and dismantled the Aussie batting line-up.
He dismissed Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Marsh. However, Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc added 69 runs for the seventh wicket. Starc, in his innings, scored 27 runs off 51 balls with the help of three boundaries. On the other hand, Labuschagne, in his inning, scored 46 runs off 74 balls with the help of three boundaries. However, their efforts failed to cruise Australia, as they fell 134 runs short of the target. With this victory, South Africa became the third team after New Zealand and India to win the first two games of the tournament.
Here is how fans reacted to South Africa’s victory:
Aus wc
Campaign is over ??— Ronak (@iamRonak45) October 12, 2023
SA dedicate this victory to him pic.twitter.com/XNY4d9wZVE
— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) October 12, 2023
Australia suffered biggest defeat in world cup history but they will comeback !
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) October 12, 2023
Ind va sa semis will be crazy, chokers will be fighting each other and the looser will be a heavy choker??
— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) October 12, 2023
Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/CAnfqFwHYG
— TEJASH ? (@LoyleRohitFan) October 12, 2023
1) Australia 2003 to 2019 world cups
2) Australia in 2023 World Cup pic.twitter.com/F5edgujKWh— ???? (@bijjuu11) October 12, 2023
Australia isn’t Australiaing anymore
— Tarun (@heytarunn) October 12, 2023
South Africa Playing well at the start of the tournament.
The word 'Choke': pic.twitter.com/nlwcNFpH1J— Asim khan (@asimsays9) October 12, 2023
— Faiz Alam (@Alamson_619z) October 12, 2023
