Match Details
The semi-final clash between South Africa and Australia is set to take place on Thursday, 16 November at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Match Preview
Cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat as two top-performing teams, South Africa and Australia, go head-to-head in a knockout match that will decide who advances to the tournament’s final on Sunday.
Both teams have shown remarkable form throughout the tournament, suffering only two losses each during the group stage. South Africa was defeated by India and the Netherlands, while Australia lost to South Africa and the tournament hosts.
The last time these two teams met in Lucknow, South Africa emerged victorious with a comfortable 134-run win, thanks to Quinton de Kock’s century. However, Australia has since gained momentum, with Glenn Maxwell’s batting prowess and Adam Zampa’s bowling skills being the highlights of their tournament journey.
Given the strong batting line-ups of both teams, a high-scoring match is anticipated. The toss could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the match, with both teams likely to prefer batting first to set a challenging target.
Australia has a history of overpowering South Africa in crucial stages of the tournament, as seen in the 1999 and 2007 World Cup editions. However, under Temba Bavuma’s leadership, South Africa has proven to be a formidable opponent in this tournament and should not be underestimated.
Team Line-ups
South Africa:
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Australia:
Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
About the Venue
Eden Gardens, located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is an international cricket stadium established in 1864. It is the oldest and second-largest cricket stadium in India and the third-largest globally, with a seating capacity of 68,000.
Players to Watch
South Africa – Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock has been a standout performer for South Africa in this World Cup, scoring four centuries and amassing a total of 591 runs. His performance against Australia in the group stage will make him a key player in the upcoming match.
Australia – David Warner
David Warner has been a consistent performer for Australia, scoring a total of 499 runs in the tournament. After a disappointing performance in the previous match against South Africa, Warner will be eager to make a strong comeback.
South Africa – Marco Jansen
Marco Jansen has been a key bowler for South Africa, taking 17 wickets in the tournament. His effectiveness in the Powerplay makes him a significant threat to Australia’s batting line-up.
Australia – Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa, with 22 wickets to his name, has been the tournament’s top bowler. His spin bowling skills will pose a significant challenge to South Africa’s strong batting line-up.