South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the all-important toss and elected to field in the ODI World Cup semi-final match against Australia at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on November 16 (Thursday). The Proteas made one change to their playing XI with Tabraiz Shamsi replacing Lungi Ngidi. Australia made two changes with Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc replacing Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott.
Australia Playing XI: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
Led by Pat Cummins, the Australian team initially struggled in the humid conditions of Chennai, suffering a setback against India and their next opponents. However, the team soon found its rhythm, embarking on a winning spree. Key players David Warner and Mitchell Marsh played significant roles in this turnaround, contributing substantially to the batting lineup. The bowling department, with Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa, effectively subdued opposing teams, while Glenn Maxwell's performances justified his moniker, 'The Big Show.' This resurgence led Australia, a five-time World Cup champion, to the semi-finals, showcasing their typical resilience and adaptability.
On the other hand, South Africa, captained by Temba Bavuma, demonstrated strength but also revealed vulnerabilities, particularly in chasing targets. While their batting has shown inconsistency during chases, their performance while batting first has been remarkably robust. South Africa's bowling lineup, often hitting the mark, has been a key factor in their campaign, with Keshav Maharaj making notable contributions as a spinner. Despite some weaknesses, the South African team has displayed commendable skill and strategy, making them a formidable opponent in the tournament.
Squads
Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey, Cameron Green
South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Reeza Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, Marco Jansen
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