Cricket World Cup 2023: Quinton De Kock recorded a century as South Africa beat Australia, putting the Asian representative in a tough spot to reach the semi-finals.
De Kock’s second successive century was enough to help South Africa to a thumping 134-run victory over Australia in Lucknow.
CC Cricket World Cup 2023: Full Fixtures
ICC Men’s World Cup 2023- Jaw-dropping prize money
ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 – New Zealand beat England
Cricket World Cup 2023: Quinton De Kock century beat Australia
Cricket World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma smashes six-hitting record as India beat Afghanistan
Virat Kohli: “It’s a bit awkward for me front of pavilion named after me”
Cricket World Cup 2023: South Africa beat Australia highlights
De Kock was ably supported by the Proteas’ bowlers as, after scoring 311 for seven from their 50 overs, they bowled out Australia for 177 with nearly ten overs remaining. The South African superstar is now the leading run-scorer of the ongoing tournament with his ton against Australia.
Australia made two changes to their side, with Marcus Stoinis returning from injury and Leeds-born Josh Inglis preferred to Alex Carey. At the same time, spinner Tabraiz Shamsi came in for Gerald Coetzee for South Africa.
Australia won the toss and put South Africa into bat, but that quickly looked like a questionable decision as De Kock, who scored exactly 100 in their opening win over Sri Lanka, set to work.
He put on 108 with captain Temba Bavuma (35) for the opening wicket and was well supported by Rassie van der Dussen (26) and Aiden Markram before falling for 109 in the 35th over, having faced 106 balls and struck eight fours and five sixes.
That did not halt the Proteas’ momentum, with Markram making 56 and Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Marco Jansen all chipping in with valuable runs to take them past 300.
Australia, who dropped several chances, never got going in reply and lost openers Mitchell Marsh and David Warner in successive overs with a score on 27.
Steve Smith only managed 19, and the sole partnership of note came between Marnus Labuschagne (46) and Mitchell Starc (27), who put on 69 for the seventh wicket.
By then, Australia were playing for run rate and, having suffered a second heavy loss; they need a rapid improvement in their next match against Sri Lanka on Monday.
Sitting 9th on the standings, it’s hard to see Australia qualify for the last four.
