Glenn Maxwell's failed to fire in the ODI World Cup semifinal clash against South Africa on November 16, which Australia won by three wickets to set up a thrilling final with India. The nail-biting encounter at the legendary Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata has kept both teams on the edge of their seats before Australia relished the last laugh by chasing down the total of 212 runs with sixteen balls to spare.
South Africa, despite being bowled out for a modest total despite David Miller's century, launched a fightback to keep Australia batters in check. South Africa's spinners, exceptional precision and accuracy, in particular managed to put immense Australia under pressure.
But it was Tabraiz Shamsi who troubled Kangaroos the most as he remained the pick of the bowlers for Proteas. He claimed the key wickets of Marnus Labuschagne (18) and Glenn Maxwell (1). Among the two wickets he picked, the dismissal of the star all-rounder stood out and left everyone stunned. Shamsi produced a jaffe to send Maxwell packing. Shamsi bowled a deceivingly flat ball that skidded onto middle stump. Maxwell, anticipating a delivery with more bounce, stepped forward with the intention of dispatching it over the boundary. However, he was deceived by the low bounce, and the ball went on to dislodge the leg stump. Consequently, Maxwell was forced to make the long walk back to the pavilion. Following the wicket, the Shamsi erupted in a wild celebration.
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Maxwell's wicket left Australia reeling at 137/5 after 23.4 overs. But Steve Smith then rescued the five-time champions and steered them to 174 before returning to pavilion after scoring 30 off 62. Josh Inglis too followed suit and returned to the hut after notching 28 off 49 to leave Australia in trouble again. However, skipper Pat Cummins and star pacer Mitchell Starc combined to take Australia past the finishing line and help Australia beat South Africa by three wickets.
Australia will be locking horns with mighty India in the all-important ODI World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, Sunday.
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