Target 312 | RRR 6.24
The 10th game of the ICC ODI Cricket Worldcup is being played at Lucknow where the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins wins the toss and choose to field first. SA who take advantage of the conditions play all along the ground and put up massive total up front. Quinton de Kock stands out as centurion again in the 2nd game of the ICC CWC23.
South Africa put 312 on board to get 2 more points and join Pakistan, India and New Zealand with 2 straight wins. AUS need to score 313 to register their first win of the ICC CWC23. If they achieve this feat, It would be their highest run-chase ever in the Worldcup history. Before this, 287 is their highest-ever chases in the Worlcup which came against NZ in 1996 Worldcup.
David Warner and Mitchell Marsh begin the record run-chase for Aussies. Whereas, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen get the ball to hunt the Australian openers. Marsh has been struggling with the swing from the both pacers and gives away his wicket to Jansen in the 6th over. The top-edge leads to mid-off where Bavuma himself catches the big fish. Marsh goes for 7 off 15 and AUS are one down for 27 at the end of the 6.
SA don’t wait for long to pick the second of the night as David Warner bites the dust this time. Two quick wickets for Proteas and this time their key-man has gone for 13 off 27. The left-hand batters chips it to the cover point where van der Dussen picks his man. Ngidi’s 2nd straight maiden leaves Australia a big trouble.
The horrible 1st power play continues for AUS as they lose the 3rd of the night. This time the stylish Steven Smith has to go. DRS factor brings SA a very good news as they overthrow Steven Smith who goes for 19 off 16.
Proteas are breathing fire in the middle as Rabada picks his 2nd of the night. This time Josh Inglis misses the line of the ball and gets clean-bowled by big man. SA are 4 down in 12 at 57.
The five-times Worldcup winners are fifth down as Keshav Maharaj bags one for his team. Maxwell who has been brilliant with the bat has just lost his wicket and caught and bowled by Maharaj after scoring 3 off 17. Aussies are losing wickets in quick succession as Stoines also departs only scoring 5 off 4. Again DRS compels Joel Wilson to over-turn his decision and ask Stoinis to leave the field. SA quickly get their man and AUS are at the verge of a huge defeat in the ICC Men’s CWC23 as they are 71 for 6 after 18.
Starc and Lbuschagne carry the innings for more than 16 overs and add 69 for the 7th wicket when Marco Jansen provides a breakthrough. Australia lose 2 quick wickets. First Starc is undone by a slow bouncy delivery from Jansen that goes to de Kock’s gloves after kissing the batter’s gloves. In the very next over Maharaj removes Labuschagne who steps down to chip it over the short extra cover. But Bavuma takes his second catch of the night and Maharaj pick his 1st of the game. Australia are 8 down at 143 after 35.
The Aussie’s skipper seem to be in a rush as he tries to clear the long-off with his mistimed hit. Miller there doesn’t repeat Australian episode and bags it with his safe hands. AUS are 9 down as Cummins departs after scoring 22 off 21. Meanwhile the last batter also fulfills the formality as Tabrez Shamsi picks his 2nd of the night. Shamsi tempts Hazlewood to skyhigh the ball and Rabada grabs it with perfection. SA win by 134-runs and boost their runrate in style.
