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South Africa's batting has been their strength in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 but it crumbled against Australia in the semifinal clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on November 16. South Africa were reduced to 24/4 in the 12th over after skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat first. In the overcast conditions, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc dominated the proceedings and kept the Proteas batters on the back foot. Former South Africa cricketer Imran Tahir was livid with Proteas’ approach as he criticised them.
“You have played cricket like children. When you have coaches with 4 year contracts, this is how you play? In front of 40000 people, South Africa have been embarrassing," Tahir said while commentating on Star Sports.
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Bavuma was the first to fall. He poked at a delivery bowled by Starc and edged one to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. He departed for a four-ball duck. After some brilliant bowling with the new ball, Quinton de Kock started to succumb to the dot-ball pressure. He went for a big shot against Hazlewood and got caught by Pat Cummins. South Africa’s highest run-scorer in the tournament was dismissed for a single-digit score. This was the eighth time Hazlewood dismissed De Kock in ODIs.
As Starc's opening spell stretched, Aiden Markram slashed his bat at a delivery outside off and got caught by David Warner at backward point. Markram scored just 10 runs. Similarly, Hazlewood was given another over. Rassie van der Dussen played a loose drive away from his body and handed an easy catch to Steve Smith.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan also criticised the faulty start. He felt that Bavuma should have not been in the side as he said, "If Temba Bavuma was not the captain, there is no way he would be selected".
"South Africa's problems are more off-field than on-field. It's not cricketing, it's a cultural issue which we can't speak much on," Pathan added.
While Rohit Sharma attacked Trent Boult from the start, South Africa were 18/2 after 10 overs. It is the lowest score by a team in men's ODI since 2008.
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