SA vs AUS Match Preview– ICC World Cup 2023, Semi-Final 2

South Africa and Australia face off in the SA vs AUS ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final on Thursday, October 16. India played the Kiwis in the first semi-final. It’s a day-night game with the match starting at 2 pm IST. 

South Africa have already defeated Australia previously in the tournament and have also played a game before at this venue. Meanwhile, this is Australia’s very first game in Kolkata, and that too a semi-final.

The city of Kolkata which missed out on hosting World Cup games in the 2011 edition due to renovation work now gets its chance to host a historic semi-final. The venue should be buzzing with fans and the stadium should be packed. 

Both teams are high on confidence heading into this game and are well poised to face each other in this knockout clash There is no looking back for one of the two teams after this game. While Australia knows what it takes to play a semi-final, South Africa would like to get rid of their semi-final curse. The Aussies last played in the World Cup semis in 019 while the Proteas in 2015. 

South Africa and Australia both finished on 14 points after nine games losing two games each. The two teams have different strengths and weaknesses which is what makes this semi-final an intriguing one. Both teams face off in a semi-final clash for the first time since the famous 1999 semi-final where the Proteas lost out despite the game ending in a tie. 

Also Read: IND vs NZ: Man Arrested For Black Marketing Of Tickets Ahead Of World Cup Semifinal

SA vs AUS Match Preview– ICC World Cup 2023, Semi-Final 2

South Africa 

SA skipper Temba Bavuma who struggled with a hamstring injury looked good during his training session on Monday. Apart from him, the rest of the players are reportedly fit. Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markramm, Rassie Van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen have done the job with the bat. 

With the ball, Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee have accounted for 32 wickets in the tournament so far. Rabada has had a below-par tournament with 12 wickets. The Proteas lost both their games chasing which has been their Achilles Heel in the tournament so far. They might well find themselves chasing a stiff target once again in the semi-final. 

South Africa Squad

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 

Australia have been a consistent side at playing semi-finals and finals in 50-over World Cup tournaments. They have won five World Cup titles and are looking to bag their sixth. They can target South Africa’s weakness which is chasing in the big semi-final. 

After Glenn Maxwell’s superhuman knock against Afghanistan where he almost single-handedly won the game, Australia’s batting depth was well and truly highlighted. The top three of David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh have been among the runs as well. With the ball, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have taken 10 wickets each. However, Adam Zampa has been the real deal for the Aussies taking 22 wickets in just nine games at an average of 18.91. He will be the biggest threat for the Protean batters. 

Australia Squad

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

Also Read: Thomas Muller Sides With Team India Ahead Of World Cup Semi Final Clash vs New Zealand