South Africa vs Australia Semi-Final Live Updates, World Cup 2023: South Africa Skipper Bavuma Wins Toss, Opts To Bat vs Australia

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Australia’s Playing XI

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

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: South Africa’s Playing XI

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

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Here’s what Pat Cummins said at the toss

We would have batted first as well. They play pretty similar style, unfortunately they have won a last few, we are due. We have been in these positions before. We have a lot of experience. We were not up to our best in those couple of games. But guys have been positive in the last seven games. Two changes for us. Stoinis and Abbott are out. Maxwell and Starc are in.

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Here’s what Temba Bavuma said at the toss

We will bat first. Not something I really dreamt of. We have come against a team like Australia in the semi-final. Means a lot to me, there’s a game to focus on. Very important to stay in the present. Need to stick to our processes. Got one change, Shamsi is in for Ngidi.

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Toss

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat against Australia in their ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final match on Thursday in Kolkata. 

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Pitch report

“There’s 36% chance of rain. 65 m square boundaries, 75 m straight boundaries. This is the same wicket that was used for England – Pakistan match. Spinners have had a good time bowling here. Spin will win, reckons Hayden. Going to be tough to score runs as the spinners will get more assistance in the second innings. Captain winning the toss should bat first despite the overcast conditions,” reckons Pommie Mbangwa.

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Teams have arrived

Both the teams have arrived at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata for the ultimate semi-final match. The likes of David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Temba Bavuma, and others can be seen sweating it out on the ground in their practice session. 

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Rain in Kolkata

It has been raining in Kolkata since morning and the ground had been under covers. In the latest visuals, it can be seen that the rain has currently stopped and the covers are being removed. 

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: A struggling Temba Bavuma

Struggling with a wretched form, Bavuma has 145 runs from seven innings with his highest being 35 against Australia as he is also racing against time to recover from a hamstring strain. If unfit for the fixture against Australia, Bavuma is likely be replaced Reeza Hendricks who will then open with De Kock. Hendricks has played two matches this tournament and also boasts of a 85 against England.

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: SA’s strong batting unit

Four of their top-six batters have scored centuries with wicketkeeper-batter Quinton De Kock leading the way in the opening slot with four to his name in his swansong tournament. He is the tournament’s leading run-getter with 591 runs. It only starts to get more destructive as the batting order goes down. Rassie van der Dussen has been able to provide the solidity at No 3, averaging 55.25 — their second-highest in this tournament behind De Kock’s 65.66. 

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: A fiery Australian team

When it comes to the 50-over World Cup, Australia evoke a sense of fear and anxiety among their rivals, having won five of the 12 titles so far — of which four have come in the last six editions — as they are known for thriving in big moments. It’s been the opposite story for South Africa who have reached the semi-finals four times from nine editions, but it’s always been a tale of being so-near-yet-so-far. Be it the rain-rule mis-calculation on their debut World Cup in 1992 semifinal against England, or the tied result in 1999 that helped Australia made the final on better run-rate, the Proteas for one reason or another have never able to progress beyond the last-four stage.

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: India’s big win over New Zealand

Hosts India thrashed New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final match on Wednesday in Mumbai. Batting first, India posted a huge total of 397/4 in 50 overs with Virat Kohli smashing the record-breaking 50th ODI ton. Later, Mohammed Shami took a memorable seven-wicket haul as India bundled out New Zealand for 327. With this win, Team India has entered the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. 

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Winner to meet India

The winner of the semi-final match between South Africa and Australia will be facing India in the final of the ongoing ODI World Cup on Sunday in Ahmedabad. 

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Chance for SA to remove the chokers’ tag

Temba Bavuma’s warriors would be determined to shed their eternal chokers tag against five-time champions Australia. Any South African cricketer worth his salt hates the ‘C’ word while Australia as legacy champions of the ODI global meet would like to rub it in, in the best possible manner they can. 

SA vs AUS Semi-Final Live Score: Hello

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the second semi-final match of the ODI World Cup 2023 between South Africa and Australia, straight from Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Stay tuned for all the live updates.