Quinton de Kock back to back centuries helped South Africa to post 300+ runs again. They defeated Australia by 134 runs which is the biggest loss for the Aussies in the World Cup in terms of runs.
South Africa scored 311/7 in 50 overs and in reply Australia only put up 177/10 in 40.5 overs.
A plenty of mistakes were seen in Australian fielding as they dropped some easy catches which ultimately cost the match for them.
After winning the toss, Aussies skipper Pat Cummins opted to bowl first.
A solid start by the Proteas opener. Quinton de Kock (109 runs) and Temba Bavuma (35 runs) scored 108 runs for the first wicket. De Kock looked in fine touch and scored back to back centuries. Earlier he scored against Sri Lanka. He hit 8 fours and 5 sixes in his innings. He was dropped earlier by Marsh in the boundary rope but after that he didn’t play any sloppy shot and got his 2nd hundred of the tournament.
Aiden Markram (56 runs) again played a destructive innings. He played only 44 balls in which he hit 7 fours and a six. In the end Marco Jansen (26 runs) and David Miller (17 runs) showed some fire power and took the team score to 311 runs in 50 overs by losing 7 wickets.
Glenn Maxwell came as a part time bowler but his spell of 10 overs, 34 runs and 2 wickets stopped the South African batsmen from scoring big. Mitchell Starc was rewarded with 2 wickets in the last over of the innings but despite this he was not looking in his extreme form for which he is known for. Josh Hazelwood, Adam Zampa and Pat Cummins got 1 wicket each.
Aussies were not looking comfortable from the beginning as they were unable to pick the ball properly and some hits were also seen there. At one point they lost 6 wickets in just 70 runs which probably took them to the back foot. Marnus Labuschagne (46 runs) was the highest scorer from the side.
In the lower order Mitchell Starc (27 runs) and Pat Cummins (22 runs) provided some runs which somehow defended their lowest total in the World Cup. They scored 177 runs in 40.5 overs and lost all their wickets. It was also their 3rd lowest total in the World Cup.
South African bowlers shine from the beginning. They do not settle the batters and cause them problems with their deliveries. Kagiso Rabada got the most number of wickets from his side by taking 3 wickets. Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen got 2 wickets each. Lungi Ngidi got 1 wicket.
Quinton de Kock, South Africa, Player of the Match
“It was a great win for the boys. To be honest, we didn’t know how the pitch would play. We assessed the conditions beautifully and then applied ourselves well with the bat. The guys who spent time on the wicket, got a hand on the conditions and then used their scoring options. 311 was an above par score. I have played here for the Lucknow team, it becomes harder to bat 2nd.
It was sweaty and humid, the bowlers were on top of their game. No real loose balls and they picked early wickets. I think we are keen to prove ourselves, we played well, but it’s just 2 games, the World Cup is a long tournament and games come quickly around us. We will take it on a match by match basis.”