South Africa’s Quinton de Kock delivered an outstanding performance, scoring his second consecutive century at the World Cup, as they thrashed Australia by 134 runs. The Proteas posted a formidable total of 311-7, and Australia faltered, losing six wickets with just 70 runs on the board. The Australian team, aiming to protect their net run-rate, eventually capitulated, getting dismissed for 177 with 55 balls remaining. This was South Africa’s second win in two matches, while Australia suffered their second defeat.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “I’d be really greedy if I said there were areas to improve, a near-perfect game with the bat, and with the ball.” On the other hand, Australia captain Pat Cummins admitted that his team was “well off the mark.” He added, “Not much needs to be said tonight, everyone’s hurting.” The Australian team dropped five catches during South Africa’s innings, further contributing to their frustration.
Australia’s chase of the 312-run target got off to a disastrous start as South Africa’s fast bowlers dismantled their top order. Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi dismissed openers Mitchell Marsh (seven) and David Warner (13) respectively, while Kagiso Rabada took three quick wickets. Rabada controversially had Steve Smith lbw for 19 and clean-bowled Josh Inglis for five. He also had Marcus Stoinis caught smartly down the legside by wicketkeeper De Kock for only five. Australia was unhappy with the decision as Stoinis seemed to have his hand off the bat when the ball brushed his glove on its way to De Kock. In between, off-spinner Keshav Maharaj dismissed Glenn Maxwell for just three.
With the match almost out of reach, Australia switched their focus to limiting the damage to their run rate, as they still have seven pool matches to play in the tournament. However, they could only reach 95-6 by the halfway stage of 25 overs. Marnus Labuschagne’s 46 and Mitchell Starc’s 27 provided some resistance with a 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket. But, they fell in quick succession, and the innings collapsed, with leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi wrapping up the tail.
In South Africa’s innings, Quinton de Kock continued his impressive form, reaching his 19th ODI century off 90 balls. He hit eight fours and five sixes before being bowled by off-spinner Maxwell while attempting a reverse sweep in the 35th over. Aiden Markram then took charge and accelerated the scoring. Despite being dropped by Cummins when he had just one run, Markram raced to 56. Australia had a tough day in the field, as Bavuma was also dropped twice on 19 and 32. However, his luck ran out on 35 when Warner caught him at midwicket off Maxwell.
De Kock and Bavuma had combined for a partnership of 108 for the first wicket. After Markram’s dismissal, Jansen (26) and David Miller (17) pushed South Africa beyond the 300-run mark. Both Miller and Jansen fell in the final over, bowled by Starc. Australia had missed opportunities to dismiss them in the penultimate over, with Starc dropping Miller and Stoinis offering Jansen a lifeline, both off Cummins.