Last Update on: November 16th, 2023 at 08:57 pm
South Africa National Cricket Team left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj rattled the stumps of the Australia National Cricket Team opening batsman Travis Head in the second semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, November 16.
Head played his natural attacking brand of cricket during the run-chase 213 against the Proteas. He looked aggressive from the ball one and didn’t let the bowlers settle down. He punished the loose balls very well and added an amazing half-century partnership with David Warner.
Travis Head was finally cleaned up by Keshav Maharaj in the 15th over of the innings. On the first ball itself, Maharaj managed to send the explosive opening batsman packing. Head scored 62 runs off 48 balls, with 9 fours and 2 sixes.
On the first ball of the 15th over, Keshav Maharaj bowled a flighted delivery outside off and it drew Travis Head into the drive. The ball dipped and spun to beat the edge and rattle the stumps.
Watch – Keshav Maharaj Cleans Up Travis Head With A Beauty
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first in the match. The decision proved to be a horrible one as the top 4 batters of the team failed to perform well.
It looked like the Proteas would get bundled out for a low score, but David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen brought South Africa back into the game. Miller was the top performer for South Africa as he stitched together an outstanding 95 runs in 113 balls with Heinrich Klaasen and smashed an outstanding 101 runs off 116 balls, with 8 fours and 5 sixes, to help his team post 212 on the board.
During the mid-innings break, David Miller said that he was glad to get a century on such a big stage. He elaborated:
“Really big (importance of this knock.) Glad to get the hundred, but we want to win at the end of the day. Helped the team to score a decent score with those partnerships. Expected these conditions at the start of the match, but we were on the back foot after four down in the powerplay.
“Managed to put up a couple of partnerships (with Klaasen and Coetzee), think we fought hard. It’s about watching every ball and staying in the moment, trusting your preparation. It’s one ball at a time. We need to put them under pressure in the power play by taking wickets. It’s about using the conditions, bowling in the right areas.”
