Tag: South Africa vs Australia

South Africa batter Aiden Markram insists there will be no mental scarring from his side’s previous failures when they face holders Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s.

The Proteas have suffered several agonising near-misses in major tournaments, including last year’s T20 World Cup final in Barbados.

They needed just 30 more runs to win, with 30 balls and six wickets remaining, yet somehow contrived to lose in devastating fashion against India.

But Markram, South Africa’s captain in that match and one of five survivors from the game in the WTC final squad, is confident there will be no hangover for a red-ball side led by Temba Bavuma.

“This team is a bit different,” Aiden Markram told reporters at Lord’s on Sunday.

“The few of us that have been a part of previous events that didn’t go our way have dealt with it, have obviously chatted to each other and made sure we’ve buried it nicely and taken some good lessons from it.

“But besides that, now, it’s more about the excitement of having another opportunity to actually do the job. So that’s pretty much where the mind is at the moment.”

As an opener, Markram will have the tough task of trying to blunt a formidable Australia bowling line-up in an eagerly anticipated final that starts on Wednesday.

But South Africa, with Kagiso Rabada leading the way, have an impressive pace attack of their own.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“When you’re opening the batting, obviously your responsibility is to get the team off to a good start and get us ahead of the game. So that’s the challenge, that’s what excites us,” Markram said.

“But when you’re preparing against your bowlers, who are world-class, it can only help you as a batter, as uncomfortable as it can be at times.”

South Africa won seven Tests in a row to qualify for the WTC final, a run that featured several short series.

“A lot of our series have been two-game series. So in order to win that series, you can’t start slow,” Markram said.

“There’s no second dip at it, so we’re going to have to make sure we hit the ground running and are nice and sharp come day one.”

The 30-year-old Markram, a veteran of 45 Tests, is relishing the chance to make history on the hallowed turf at Lord’s.

“To play in a Test match here is really special, and then obviously for it to be a final is probably the cherry on top,” he said.

Markram, asked what made Lord’s so memorable, replied: “Probably just the history…You know how many of the greats of the game have played here.

“For us to have that opportunity to play on the same field and share that changing room that they once sat in is quite a cool thought.”

READ: Robert Lewandowski to boycott the national team under the current coach

LUCKNOW: Quinton de Kock scored his second consecutive century before a combined bowling effort led South Africa to thrash Australia by 134 runs in the 10th match of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Chasing a massive 312-run total, Australia succumbed to their second consecutive defeat in the ongoing mega event after they were bundled out on a paltry 177 in the 41st over.

The five-time champions had a poor start to the pursuit as they lost both their openers Mitchell Marsh (7) and David Warner (13) with just 27 runs on the board.

Marnus Labuschagne joined experienced Steve Smith in the middle and looked to anchor the run chase with a cautious partnership.

The duo, however, could add just 23 runs to the total before Smith perished after being trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada, a decision which caused a debate among cricket fans.

Smith could score 19 off 16 deliveries before walking back to the pavilion in disbelief.

Australia then lost three more wickets in quick succession to further slip to 70/6 in the 17th over.

Following the slump, Labucshagne put on a fighting seventh-wicket partnership with Mitchell Starc and added 74 runs to the total.

The duo frustrated the ruthless South African bowling attack before Marco Jansen drew a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Starc, who scored a gutsy 51-ball 27.

Marnus Labuschagne soon followed Starc back into the dugout in the next over.

He remained the top-scorer for Australia with 46 in 74 deliveries, hitting three boundaries.

Australian captain Pat Cummins scored a 21-ball 22 at the backend but could not save his side from succumbing to a massive defeat.

Kagiso Rabada led the bowling attack for South Africa with 3/33, followed by Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, who picked two each.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

De Kock carried the momentum from South Africa’s crushing 102-run victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC World Cup 2023 opener, where he scored an 84-ball century.

After being put into bat by Australia, De Kock raised his half-century in 51 balls, while his opening partner Temba Bavuma (35) played an anchoring innings on the other end.

Together they put up a 108-run opening stand, which was broken by Glenn Maxwell when Bavuma in an attempt to shift gears caught by David Warner at deep mid-wicket.

Rassie van der Dussen joined de Kock and added 50 runs for the second wicket before Zampa got him out at a total of 158 in the 29th over.

De Kock on the other end continued to bat fluently and reached his 19th ODI hundred in 90 balls, but Maxwell struck again and bowled the left-hander on 109. His 106-ball knock featured eight boundaries and five sixes.

Following de Kock’s departure, Aiden Markram took control and added 60 runs with Heinrich Klaasen for the fourth wicket, completing his half-century in the process.

He was dismissed by Pat Cummins after scoring 44-ball 56, featuring seven boundaries and one six.

Klaasen could only manage 29 off 27 before Marco Jansen propelled the South African total to 311 with a 22-ball cameo of 26 runs.

Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc picked two wickets each, while Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa managed to take one apiece.

READ: Pat Cummins sees ICC World Cup 2023 as ‘physically taxing’ for bowlers

Pakistan men’s cricket team on Sunday, reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings, following South Africa’s 122-run victory over Australia in the series decider.

Australia, who were at the rankings summit, succumbed to a crushing defeat against South Africa in the fifth ODI of the five-match series, which resulted in them slipping to the third spot with 113 rating points.

India, on the other hand, remained at the second despite their resounding 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023.

India and Pakistan are both tied at 115 rating points in the ODI rankings but the Babar Azam-led side has a slight edge in decimal points. Whereas, Australia has 113 rating points, standing at the third.

Notably, India and Australia will have an opportunity to seize the top spot as the two sides will engage in a three-match ODI series ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

The three-match ODI series will commence on September 22 in Mohali, followed by the second ODI on September 24 in Indore while the third ODI will be played at Baroda on September 27.

Pakistan, however, do not have further opportunity to solidify their behold on the ODI ranking summit and will now directly feature in the ICC Men’s World Cup.

The green shirts will start their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad.

It is worth mentioning that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to announce the national team’s squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Pakistan’s schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023

October 6 – vs Netherlands in Hyderabad

October 10 – vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad

October 14 – vs India in Ahmedabad

October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru

October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai

October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai

October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata

November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)

November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

October 6 – vs Netherlands in Hyderabad

October 10 – vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad

October 14 – vs India in Ahmedabad

October 20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru

October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai

October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai

October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata

November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)

November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

READ: Harry Brook returns as England announce squad for ICC Men’s World Cup

Heinrich Klaasen slammed 174 off 83 balls to lead a South African batting assault against Australia in the fourth one-day international at SuperSport Park on Friday.

Klaasen shared an extraordinary fifth-wicket partnership of 222 off only 94 balls with David Miller (82 not out) as South Africa piled up 416 for five, their fifth-highest total in one-day internationals.

Klaasen struck 13 fours and 13 sixes before being caught on the boundary off the last ball of the innings.

A run spree of such magnitude did not seem likely as accurate as Australian bowling and a slower than usual Centurion pitch saw South Africa make relatively sedate progress on a ground known for high scoring.

At the second drinks break, the total was 157 for three off 32 overs.

The acceleration started with a stand of 74 off 57 balls between Rassie van der Dussen (62) and Klaasen.

It went into over-drive when the left-handed Miller joined Heinrich Klaasen and hit the second ball he faced, from leg-spinner Adam Zampa, for six.

Miller’s 82 not-out came from 45 balls and included five sixes and six fours.

South Africa’s thrashing saw Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa equalling Mick Lewis’ record of the worst bowling figures in ODI cricket.

Zampa was taken to the cleaners by the South African batters and consequently conceded a whopping 113 runs in his quota of 10 overs and went wicketless.

Zampa went for nine sixes and eight fours during South Africa’s onslaught which also included a 26-run 48th over against Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.

His dismal bowling figures were the joint-most expensive in the history of ODI, equalling Mick Lewis’ dubious, who also went for none for 113 against South Africa in 2006.

Notably, Adam Zampa’s haul of nine sixes is the joint-second worst by a bowler in an ODI and is now only behind Rashid Khan, who conceded 10 sixes against England in 2019.

Zampa was hammered for 113 runs off his 10 overs, Marcus Stoinis conceded 81 runs and Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis went for 79 apiece.

It is a must-win game for South Africa, with Australia leading the five-match series 2-1.

READ: Adam Zampa equals worst bowling figures in ODIs

CENTURION: Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa on Friday, equalled Mick Lewis’ record of the worst bowling figures in ODI cricket.

Adam Zampa was taken to the cleaners by the South African batters in the ongoing fourth ODI here and consequently conceded a whopping 113 runs in his quota of 10 overs and went wicketless.

Zampa went for nine sixes and eight fours during South Africa’s onslaught which also included a 26-run 48th over against Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.

His dismal bowling figures were the joint-most expensive in the history of ODI, equalling Mick Lewis’ dubious, who also went for none for 113 against South Africa in 2006.

Notably, Adam Zampa’s haul of nine sixes is the joint-second worst by a bowler in an ODI and is now only behind Rashid Khan, who conceded 10 sixes against England in 2019.

Most expensive ODI bowling figures

Adam Zampa 113-0 (10)
Mick Lewis 113-0 (10)
Wahab Riaz 110-0 (10)
Rashid Khan 110-0 (9)

After being put into bat first in the aforementioned fixture, South Africa dominated the Australian bowlers, courtesy of a ruthless thrashing and Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller and racked up a mammoth 416/5 in the allotted overs.

Klaasen, who struck a 57-ball hundred, went on to top score for South Africa with a marathon 174-run knock in just 83 deliveries, smashing 13 boundaries and as many sixes.

David Miller was equally threatening for the Australians as he struck an unbeaten 82 from a mere 45 balls, hitting six boundaries and five sixes.

Besides the two, Rassie van der Dussen (62) and Quinton de Kock (45) made notable contributions to South Africa’s sensational show with the bat.

Josh Hazlewood led the bowling attack for Australia with two wickets but conceded 79 runs in his 10 overs while Marcus Stoinis, Michael Nesser and Nathan Ellis had a wicket apiece to their names.

READ: Shakib, Hridoy hit fifties as Bangladesh set India to chase 266

South Africa’s spin bowlers backed up a century by Aiden Markram as the hosts ended Australia’s winning streak with a 111-run victory in the third one-day international at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

Markram hit 102 not out in a South African total of 338 for six.

South Africa survived a furious assault by David Warner and Travis Head before bowling out Australia for 227.

Australia won the first two games in the five-match series after sweeping a Twenty20 series 3-0.

The tourists looked on track for another win when Warner and Head thrashed 79 for the first wicket off only 48 balls.

Australia were 104 for one at the end of the 10-over power play, the second time in a row they reached three figures while fielding restrictions were in place.

But left-arm spinners Tabraiz Shamsi (two for 29) and Keshav Maharaj (two for 37) changed the course of the match on a spin-friendly pitch before fast bowler Gerald Coetzee (four for 50) finished off the Australian innings.

Maharaj also made a key intervention in the field with a direct-hit run-out of Warner, who made 78 off 56 balls before slipping and losing his shoe as he set off for a single.

“We needed a positive one,” said South African captain Temba Bavuma.

“The batters knuckled down and we were banking on the wicket assisting the spin bowlers and it’s exactly what it did.

“The power play didn’t go as well as we wanted but the way we clawed it back was exactly what we’re looking for.”

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said the loss was “a little slip-up” in conditions which are likely to be replicated during the World Cup in India next month.

“Hopefully we learnt a lot from it,” he said.

Quinton de Kock (82) and captain Temba Bavuma (57) gave South Africa an ideal start with an opening stand of 146 in 22.5 overs.

But Australia were able to slow down the scoring, with part-time off-spinner Travis Head making good use of a slow, dry pitch to bowl unchanged and take two for 39 in 10 overs.

Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen gave the innings late impetus with a sixth-wicket partnership of 63 off 31 balls which was ended by a sensational diving left-handed catch by Sean Abbott on the cover boundary off Nathan Ellis.

READ: India edge Sri Lanka to reach Asia Cup final as Pakistan still in race

David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne scored centuries as Australia thumped South Africa by 123 runs in the second ODI and dethroned Pakistan from the top of the ICC ODI Rankings.
David Warner made 106 and Labuschagne 124 in an Australian total of 392 for eight after the tourists were sent in.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa took four for 48 as South Africa were bowled out for 269 in the 42nd over.

Quinton de Kock (45) and skipper Temba Bavuma (46) put on 81 in nine overs to get South Africa off to a quick start before De Kock was caught and bowled by Nathan Ellis.

Zampa struck twice in successive overs to dismiss Bavuma and Aiden Markram and South Africa were unable to mount a serious challenge, although Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller both made 49.

“Our intent and execution tonight was as good as it gets,” said Australian captain Mitchell Marsh.

Warner and Travis Head dominated South Africa’s fast bowlers during an opening partnership of 109 off 72 balls, with Head thrashing 64 off 36 balls with nine fours and three sixes.

There was a brief respite for South Africa when left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi dismissed Head and Marsh off successive deliveries.

But Labuschagne followed up his match-winning 80 not out in the first match at the same venue on Thursday –- when he came into the team as a concussion substitute for Cameron Green -– with another player of the match performance.

David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne put on 151 for the third wicket off 124 balls, with Warner going to his 20th one-day international century off 85 deliveries.

Labuschagne was even quicker, reaching his second one-day international century off 80 balls.

Both his hundreds have been made in the country of his birth. He hit 108 in Potchefstroom in March 2020.

“The boys at the top got us off to a lightning start and put pressure on the bowlers,” said Labuschagne, who said the fact that he had not been selected for the World Cup was “not in my control – I am concentrating on enjoying my cricket and playing as well as I can.”

It was Australia’s third-highest total in the 50-overs format and the fourth-highest conceded by South Africa.

“They were on top of us from ball one,” admitted Bavuma.

READ: Shubman Gill heaps praise on Babar Azam ahead of Asia Cup clash

SYDNEY: Captain Pat Cummins declared Australia’s first innings at 475 for four leaving opening batsman Usman Khawaja stranded on 195 on the fourth day of the third Sydney Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Play was not possible on the fourth morning due to light rain and a wet outfield.

Australia lead the series 2-0 after big wins in Brisbane and Melbourne and are pushing for a series whitewash to seal their place in the World Test Championship final in London in June.

Captain Cummins then bowled Australia into contention to pull off a remarkable victory with a fiery spell as he captured three for 29 in a hostile 14 overs to set up the Australians for a dramatic final day charge for victory and a series clean sweep against the hapless Proteas.

At the close on day four, South Africa were batting for survival at 149 for six in reply to Australia’s 475-4 declared with Marco Jansen on 10 and Simon Harmer six.

The outgunned South Africans have only passed 200 once so far in this series.

The Australians need 14 more wickets to pull off an astonishing victory and cannot be counted out after rocking the tourists in Saturday’s two dominant sessions of the rain-marred Test.

Josh Hazlewood made the initial breakthrough, removing Dean Elgar for 15 continuing the Proteas’ skipper’s wretched series of low scores.

Hazlewood, bowling a lively opening spell, got Elgar with a brutal short-pitched delivery which clipped his glove for a catch by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Nathan Lyon stunned Sarel Elwee who did not play a shot and was bowled top of off-stump for 18 leaving the tourists 37-2 in the 18th over.

Four balls later Cummins claimed his first victim with Heinrich Klaasen, caught off a lifter leg-side by Carey for two.

Hazlewood broke through again after tea with an inswinger that kissed the edge of Temba Bavuma’s bat for Carey to do the rest.

Bavuma clouted two sixes off Lyon in his 35 off 74 balls but was a big wicket for the Aussies to leave the visitors 85-4 in the 39th over.

“The boys said it’s starting to reverse swing so if we can keep the ball dry and put a bit of work into it, then hopefully the boys can do the job with reverse swing,” Lyon said during a drinks break.

“There is a bit of rough out here now so we’ll try to get them on the front foot and see what we can do.”

Cummins removed Khaya Zondo with a superb yorker that trapped him leg before wicket for 39 and South Africa’s fifth wicket.

The skipper charged in to lead the Australian bowling assault with two fearsome deliveries thudding into Marco Jansen’s upper body.

Cummins quickly got another wicket, with Kyle Verreynne edging to Steve Smith at slip for 19 for Smith’s 151st Test catch.

READ: Interim chief selector Afridi to host dinner for Pakistan Test, ODI squads