Australia enter Cup final with a nervy three-wicket win
Australia have survived another collapse on a spinning Indian wicket to sneak into the World Cup final with a nervy three-wicket win over South Africa in Kolkata.
Cruising at 0-60 chasing 213 for victory in the semi-final on Thursday, Australia lost 5-67 before Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins got the team home with 16 balls to spare.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc celebrate their win against South Africa. AP
It came after crucial contributions from Steve Smith and Josh Inglis, who steadied the ship for Australia to help condemn South Africa to a fifth semi-final exit.
Australia, meanwhile, are into their eighth World Cup final, with a difficult task ahead against the unbeaten hosts India in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
If the pitch is anything like what Australia were left to contend with at Eden Gardens, it is likely that Cummins’ men will have their work cut out.
With the ball turning sharply, Australia’s batsmen made a clear point to attack South Africa’s quicks early in the innings before battling against spin.
David Warner (29 off 18) and Travis Head (62 off 48) put on 60 for the first wicket in six overs, going after Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen to put a dent in the chase.
David Warner is bowled by Aiden Markram of South Africa (not pictured). Getty
But when Warner was bowled by Aiden Markram from the first ball of spin Australia faced, the match swung violently.
Mitch Marsh was superbly caught at cover by Rassie van der Dussen for a duck, before Head was bowled through the gate by Keshav Maharaj (1-24).
Marnus Labuschagne was out lbw trying to reverse sweep Tabriz Shami (2-42) on 18, before the left-arm wrist spinner bowled Glenn Maxwell for one.
Australia were rocking at 5-137 and there were echoes
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