New Delhi: Australia has reached the final of the World Cup 2023 by beating South Africa by 3 wickets in a nail-biting semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Kangaroos chased down the target of 213 runs with 16 balls to spare, thanks to a solid opening partnership of 60 runs between David Warner and Travis Head. Head top-scored with 62 runs off 48 balls, while Warner made 29 runs. Steve Smith and Josh Inglis also contributed with 30 and 28 runs respectively.
South Africa, who batted first after losing the toss, once again crumbled under pressure in a knockout match of an ICC tournament. Their top four batsmen were dismissed for single-digit scores, leaving them reeling at 24 for 4 in 12 overs. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood exploited the conditions well and took two wickets each. The game was interrupted by rain for 40 minutes, after which David Miller played a magnificent innings of 101 runs off 116 balls to rescue South Africa. He hit eight fours and five sixes and became the first South African to score a century in a World Cup knockout match. He shared a 95-run stand with Heinrich Klaasen (47) for the fifth wicket and a 53-run partnership with Gerald Coetzee (19) for the seventh wicket. However, Travis Head broke the momentum by taking two wickets in two balls and Pat Cummins dismissed Coetzee and Miller in quick succession. South Africa were bowled out for 212 in 47.5 overs.
Australia will now face India in the grand finale on November 19 in Ahmedabad. India had defeated England by 7 wickets in the first semi-final. It will be a clash of the Titans as both teams have won the World Cup five times each.
