AB de Villiers in action (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X)
South Africa Champions ascend into the final of WCL 2025 by overcoming their Australian counterparts in a hard-fought semifinal. Morne van Wyk led South Africa’s batting charge at the top before bowlers collectively kept Australia within a run of their target.
Here, we take a look at the entire highlights of the second semifinal of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, as it panned out at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday, July 31.
Morne Van Wyk’s 76 Bolts SA To 186 Despite Siddle’s Four-Fer
Despite the early exit of captain and in-form opener AB de Villiers for just six in the second over of the match to Peter Siddle, South Africa Champions got off to a flier courtesy of JJ Smuts’ explosive 57 off 41 balls. Morne van Wyk at number three clattered 76 runs in just 35 deliveries with seven fours and five sixes to blaze the Proteas past the 150-run mark.
After Daniel Christian and Brett Lee got rid of Smuts and Morne respectively, Australia seized their newfound momentum in the slog overs by picking up wickets in a canter. Peter Siddle claimed sensational figures of 4-30 while D’Arcy Short sealed 2-32. South Africa Champions eventually posted 186-8 from their 20 overs.
Daniel Christian’s 49* In Vain As SA Win Thriller
Chasing 187, each of Australia Champions’ top three batters unleashed handy runs, but none of them managed to convert their innings into an impactful one. For starters, both openers Shaun Marsh and Chris Lynn were dismissed by Wayne Parnell after reaching 25 and 35 respectively. D’Arcy Short cracked 33 runs at number three, as Australia reached a commanding 130-3 in 15 overs.
However, bowlers tilted the pendulum back in South Africa Champions favor in the final five overs by picking up regular wickets. Despite Daniel Christian’s threatening 49* from 28 balls, wicket-taking spells from Hardus Viljoen and Parnell ensured the Proteas won the match by a run to set a date with Pakistan Champions in the WCL 2025 final.
