ICC World Cup 2019: South Africa defeat Australia by 10 runs

Manchester, Jul 7: South Africa wrapped up their World Cup campaign with a consolatory 10 runs win over Australia, here on Saturday.

South Africa scored 325/6 runs in 50 overs before bowling Australia out for 315 in 49.5 overs.

For the Proteas, skipper Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen scored 100 and 95 runs, respectively. In bowling, right-arm pacer Kagiso Rabada took three wickets, while Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo also got two wickets each.

For Australia, David Warner scored 122 runs, while wicket-keeper Alex Care also chipped in with the bat as he hit 85 runs. In bowling department, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon took two wickets each while Jason Behrendorff and Pat Cummins claimed one wicket apiece.

Faf du Plessis was declared Man of the Match. With the virtue of this win, South Africa finished seventh in the league standing with three wins in nine matches.

Now, Australia, who finished second in the 10 teams World Cup, will meet England in the second semi-final at Edgbaston on Thursday, while New Zealand will play India in the first semi-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday. The final match of the tournament will be played at Lord's on July 14. 

Chasing a mammoth target of 326 runs, defending champion Australia got off to a worst possible start as they lost their captain Aaron finch for three runs in third over of their innings. The right-handed batsman caught by Aiden Markram off leg-break bowler Imran Tahir, who was playing his last ODI.

Then, Steven Smith was trapped lbw by Dwaine Pretorius for seven, reducing the Aussies to 33-2 in 6.3 overs. Earlier, Usman Khawaja, who came at No three, was retired hurt for six runs.

Marcus Stoinis and David Warner added a crucial 62 runs for the third wicket, taking the Aussies tally to 95 runs. In the 19th over, Stoinis was run out for 22 runs off 34 ball. The all-rounder hit four boundaries.

In the 25th over, Kagiso Rabada bowled a short delivery to Glenn Maxwell and he tried a pull short but ball took an edge and went to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock who took a brilliant one-handed catch, ending Maxwell's 12 runs innings off 20 ball in which he hit one boundary. 

Then, Warner and Alex Carey stitched together a partnership of 108 runs for the fifth wicket, keeping the five-time World Champion in the hunt. Meanwhile, Warner completed his third century in the tournament. In the 40th over, Faf du Plessis brought Pretorius back to the attack and he did not disappoint his captain. Warner was caught by Chris Morris off Pretorius for 118 runs off 116 balls. This was a big blow to Australia.

After the dismissal of Warner, Pat Cummins held one end while Carey kept hitting the ball to keep Australia's hope alive in the match. In the 45 over, Cummins was caught by Jean-Paul Duminy off Phehlukwayo for nine off 15 balls. He was dismissed in the form of sixth wicket.

In the very next over, Carey's fighting-innings ended as Aiden Markram took his catch off Morris. The keeper scored 85 runs off 69 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six.
Khawaja came back to replace Carey. In the last three overs, Australia needed 48 runs and they had three wickets in hand.

Khawaja was dismissed in the 49th over by Rabada for 18 runs. 

Mitchel Stark was clean bowled by Rabada for 16 runs. Nathan Lyon (3) was dismissed in the form of last Australian wicket in the final over of the match.

Earlier, after opting to bat, openers Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram gave South Africa an explosive start.

The duo of de Kock and Markram scored 73 runs in the first powerplay and dominated the Aussie attack. In the 12th over, Nathan Lyon got rid of Aiden Markram to give Australia their first wicket.

After de Kock's wicket, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis joined Quinton de Kock who looked in fine touch. Quinton played some great shots and took Proteas to 102/1 in 15 overs.

Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock completed his 24th ODI fifty. However, he couldn't continue his innings longer and got out to Nathan Lyon after scoring 52 runs off 51 balls.
Then, Skipper Faf du Plessis took the charge and kept his team on track for a big total. He got the most able support from the other end from Rassie van der Dussen.

In the meantime, Faf du Plessis completed his third successive fifty in this World Cup and took his team to 172/2 in 30.3 overs.

Moving ahead, both the batsmen kept on thrashing the Aussie bowlers and were set for the strong finish. Rassie van der Dussen also got his 7th ODI fifty leaving South Africa at 251/2 in 41 overs.

Eyeing for a big total, Faf du Plessis played some lusty shots and completed his 12th ODI century in just 93 balls taking Africa to 260/2 in 42.2 overs.

However, Faf du Plessis walked to the pavilion on Jason Behrendorffs's ball. du Plessis and van der Dussen stitched a partnership of 151 runs for the third wicket.

JP Duminy joined van der Dussen on the crease after du Plessis wicket. Playing his final ODI for South Africa, Duminy could only score 14 runs and got out to Starc.

In the end, Rassie van der Dussen played a crucial knock of 95 off 97 balls, leading South Africa to a total of 325/6 in 50 overs.