LIVE SCORE - SA vs AUS, ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Win by 3 Wickets To Set Finale Date With India

What a game it turned out to be. It lived up to the billing, making the semi-final what it is.

South Africa at first looked to be off the track but David Miller's hundred brought them back and pushed their total to 212 runs.

Australia started off the second innings aggressively with Head hitting a quick-fire fifty. However, South Africa continued to chip in with wickets. In the end, Australia won by three wickets as Cummins and Starc saw them through.

That's the end of an otherwise brilliant campaign for South Africa. Australia march into their eighth ODI World Cup final. They will meet India on Sunday in Ahmedabad. Join us for that clash. Until then, you can can stay tuned with OneCricket for more content. That's a wrap from here. See ya!

Australia Win!

Australia trump South Africa by three wickets. Captain Cummins hits the winning shot. South Africa go home with another World Cup disappointment.

Starc smashes a boundary and Australia are now three runs away from confirming the finale berth.

DROPPED!

Markram entices Cummins to play a drive. It resulted in an inside edge but de Kock fluffed the chance.

9 Runs, 3 Wickets, 36 Balls. That's the equation.

Coetzee bowls a high full-toss and it's declared a no-ball. This can cost them big time. And he cleans up Starc on a free-hit.

Australia are still the frontrunners to win this. But what a big mess they have made in the chase. You must hand it South Africa for fighting so hard, but Australia too get a fair share of credit for that.

Twist in the tale!!!

Coetzee infuses life back into the game. He bowls a yorker to show the walking papers to well-set Inglis, who gets castled. 

Australia should win this, unless there is a collapse in the offing. Inglis has been thoroughly professional, while Starc is doing his bit nicely.  They need 25 runs to win with four wickets in hands.

Inglis may not score a fifty. He is surely not getting to a hundred. But the knock he is playing could rank among his best, considering the pressure and the prize on stake. 

Match takes another turn; Smith is OUT!!!

South Africa are not done yet. They are giving it their all. Smith was expecting a short ball. Coetzee changes his length and bowls a bit full. Smith got outdone and played an ugly hoick across the line. The ball was swirling in the air but de Kock manages to hold onto it.

Australia have put their one foot in the final. Only a miracle can save South Africa from another World Cup disappointment. Australia need 41 runs to win with five wickets remaining.

Smith is bringing his experience to the fire, batting sensibly alongside Josh Inglis, who has been equally good. Australia are inching closer to the target. They need only 51 runs to win.

AUS 162/5 in 30 overs

Shami to Shamsi. This is how the World Cup 2023 semi-finals could be remembered.

South Africa are all over Australia; Maxwell departs!!!

Maxwell was flirting with danger. It was only matter of time. He wanted to release the pressure by going for big shots. A slog across the line got his number as the ball came back in to rattle stumps and Australia. Shamsi is the man of the moment. He has tamed a giant of a player.

A shout for a caught-behind. South Africa have opted for a review. There is nothing on the ultraedge. It's not-out. 

Shamsi ends Labuschagne's stay at the crease

Labuschagne is given out LBW. He takes a review. And the umpire's call goes in South Africa's favour this time. The Proteas are back in it and we have a match on our hands.

South Africa have had their moments. But they have not closed down all of them in their favour. While defending a low total, capaitalising on every little opportunity is very important. This where South Africa have lacked so far. They need to take a wicket or two within the next 20 runs.

Labuschagne has been hit on the pads. Tabraiz Shamsi is confident it's an LBW. South Africa have taken a review. The umpire's call saves the batter. That was close shave.

GONEEE! Head is bowled!!!

Peach of a delivery from Keshav Maharaj. The numero uno ODI bowler starts his spell with a wicket. Head gets beaten all ends up as the ball sneaks through his bat and pads to hit the stumps.

Another catch dropped

South Africa are not helping themselves. Head gets another lifeline. He rocks on the backfoot to cut the ball but ended up nicking it to slip. The ball comes at a good pace to Klaasen and goes through him.

50 for Head!

This has been some knock. Under pressure in a knockout match, Head is batting like it's just another game. If he stays on for five more overs,  Australia's finale ticket will get confirmed.

Catch goes down

Substitute fielder Reeza Hendricks drops a catch at deep point. Head played an upper cut. Hendricks ran to his right and covered the area but the ball popped out his hands. This could hurt South Africa big time.

First Powerplay is done. The initial half of it belonged to Australia. But, South Africa made a comeback in the latter part by dismissing two of the batters. Still, it's Australia's game to lose. 

AUS 72/2 in 10 overs

Van der Dussen stuns Marsh with a blinder

South Africa have risen. Rabada dismisses Mitchell Marsh. But it's the fielding brilliance that has caused the dismissal. Marsh targets the cover area for a boundary. Rassie van der Dussen put a dive and took a catch midway in the air. A giant leap by van der Dussen brings South Africa back in the contest.

Markram cleans up Warner

South Africa finally show some fight. Markram comes in the attack and does the job on his first delivery of the spell. Warner plays for the turn but the ball holds its line to beat the batter's defense and lights up the bails after hitting the stumps.

Exhibition of sixes

Rabada has been belted all over the park. Warner at first tore him apart with two back-to-back maximums. Head follows him and close the over with another six. The threat of the loss looms large on South Africa.

Australia are in a hurry. Jansen has been erratic in his length and it has made their job easier to attack their way through the new ball phase.

Australia not giving South Africa any hopes

South African pacers are throwing away the new ball advantage. They are bowling a touch too short, and Warner and Head are facing no trouble whatsoever in playing on that length.

Head is dealing in boundaries but Jansen and Rabada have not bowled bad either. But they need to careful about runs as they do not have many in the bank to defend.

Time for the run-chase

Temba Bavuma is leading his team onto the field. Aussie openers David Warner and Travis Head are already at the crease. Marco Jansen has the ball in his hand and will start the innings. Let's go!

The 1999 World Cup semi-final played a big role in giving the chokers tag to South Africa. They scored 213 runs in that game as the match got tied. Today, they need to defend as many runs to shed that tag.

Is it a bird? It is a plane? NO THAT'S MAXWELL!!

A wonderful catch from Maxwell diving to his right at long-on. A diving effort from Glenn Maxwell and the Proteas innings gets over with a couple of balls left in the back. South Africa are all out on 212, but will it be enough?

CENTURY WITH A MAXIMUM

Killer Miller delivers for SA in tough conditions in a do or die fixture. A maximum to bring up the century and it has come in the semi-final against the mighty Aussies and when it mattered the most. He celebrates it and gets a big hug from KG Rabada. And he's gone on the next ball. Killer-Miller holes out to Head at deep square leg. Gets a standing ovation from the Eden Gardens crowd.

Maharaj also leaves Miller's side

In the air and Keshav Maharaj has miscued it to mid-off. Miller is strangled in his 90s with SA eight down. Maharaj falls cheaply. Third scalp of the game for Starc.

Coetzee surrenders against Cummins

Coetzee tries pulling one off Cummins but the bowler outclasses him with a well-directed bouncer. It feathered off the gloves to the keeper and Cummins breaks the building partnership. An important wicket for Australia and its the skipper leading well now. The Aussie quick bowled quite a few slower bumpers in his previous over and in this one. But replays show he was NOT OUT as it kissed his shoulder not the glove.

South Africa towards a respectable total

With Miller getting Coetzee as a partner, South Africa have into a safe terrortory. They have seven overs remaining, with 171 runs on the board. From here, Miller will look to take them past the 250-run mark, which would be a respectable total considering their early collapse. And as I am writing this, Cummins has striked and Coetzee has to depart!

Klaasen departs! Huge blow!

The unlikeliest of resources for the Aussies has done the trick. Two in two for Travis Head. He first knocks over the big fish, Heinrich Klaasen with an off-break, and in the very next ball traps Marco Jasen pumb in front. This is a game-changing over and the Aussies will look to wrap thing up quickly.

100 up for South Africans

100 comes up for South Africa at the end of 28 overs. This partnership between Miller and Klaasen is pulled the Proteas out of trouble here in the semifinal.

Play is back on!

We are back, so are the players. Adam Zampa with bowl his first over right after the rain break. 

Covers are coming off...

The rain has been paused and covers are coming off in Kolkata. We'll have a restart at 3:55 PM IST with no overs being lost.

Rain has stopped!!!

It has stopped pouring down in Kolkata for the moment. But, the weather on Friday isn't promising at all. If we have no play today, there is reserve day. No, rain is back on.

Bad news!! Covers are on!

Relief for South Africa, at-least for sometime. As feared, rain has arrived and the Australian momentum has been halted. The entire squad has been covered and the sky looks gloomy at the moment. Play has stopped!

RVD's struggle comes to an end, Hazlewood has another

Another one bites the dust. Hazlewood has his second, and South Africa are falling like nine pins! A proper Test match lines and lengths and the field is set for the exact same type of bowling. Edged and carries safely to the slip cordon. Rassie van der Dussen's 31-ball struggle is finally over as he departs for 6!

Starc has two, Markram is the last casualty

Warner, you little ripper! Takes an amazing catch at backward point. Starc has second one in his wicket column. Markram goes for a drive straight down the ground but gets a thick outside edge that flies in the backward point region. Warner inside the circle moves to his left and takes a fine catch with a reverse cup. The decision to bowl Starc sixth works wonders for Cummins and the Aussies as Markram departs cheaply in this semi-final clash.

Guess what SA's score is?

The most power-packed batting lineup of the World Cup has just registered the second lowest score in the batting powerplay in this WC. SA are at 18 for 2 after their first ten overs. It's a tough pitch but not that tough that a team like SA could only score at 1.8 RPO.

Am I watching a Test match? Australia have really tightened the screws and are not giving a single freebie. South Africa are stuck in jail!

Captains to get out for a duck in the WC SF

Mohammed Azharuddin vs Sri Lanka (1996)
Hansie Cronje vs Australia (1999)
Aaron Finch vs England (2019)
Temba Bavuma vs Australia (2023)*

QDK falls, SA in deep trouble

South Africa are in serious trouble here in the semifinal. With no serious contribution to the scoreboard, Quinton de Kock departs with SA sinking at 8 for 2. Both the openers are back in the hut. Hazlewood joins Starc in the wicket-taker's club. 

Arjun: It's genuinely annoying to get to know that Temba Bavuma pushed himself despite being half-fit. Anyone can get out on duck but an unfit captain shouldn't lead the front in such scenario that too in a semifinal clash. 

Bavuma departs!

Starc takes the wicket and draws the first blood! A half-fit Bavuma, who insisted on playing this game has to walk back. Good length delivery that nipped away from Bavuma and took the outside-edge to the keeper. Australia are ecstatic.

When the coin went up!

Playing XIs

South Africa Playing XI : Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia Playing XI : David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Toss updates!

South Africa have won the toss and to no one's surprise have elected to bat.

The pitch might slow down as the game progresses, says Matthew Hayden. Irrespective of the weather conditions, Hayden says the toss winning captain should bat first. Runs on the board will put pressure in a knockout contest.

The covers are on at the Eden Gardens. No signs of rain as of yet, but the curators aren't taking any risk. Hopefully the toss takes place on time.

SA vs AUS: Head to head in WCs

In ICC Cricket World Cups, Australia and South Africa have crossed paths 7 times, with both sides winning 3 apiece and one match ending in a tie.

Team Previews (AUS)

On the other hand, Australia has risen like a phoenix after initial stumbles, stringing together seven consecutive wins. Their quest for a sixth World Cup title is fuelled by a deep-seated batting brilliance, showcased spectacularly in Glenn Maxwell's heroic performance against Afghanistan.

The top-order trinity of David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh have been pillars of consistency. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by the lethal duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins and the spin of Adam Zampa, who has snagged 22 wickets at a staggering average, stands ready to challenge the Proteas.

Team Previews (SA)

The Proteas, with seven victories, faced setbacks only against the Netherlands and India. Their arsenal brims with talent: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Rassie Van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen have been formidable with the bat.

The bowling duo of Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee, claiming a combined haul of 32 wickets, have been the linchpins of their attack, although Kagiso Rabada has yet to hit his peak this tournament. Chasing, their proverbial Achilles' heel, looms as a potential pitfall in this crucial matchup.

After a pulsating contest between India and New Zealand last night, the semi-finale caravan continues at the Eden Gardens, when the 5-time champions, Australia take on the high-flying South Africa. The winner will meet India in the finale on Sunday. Apart from the two teams, there is another factor that could decide the outcome - the rain. heavy rain is predicted for today, but the good news is that we do have a reserve day in place tomorrow.