Brain fades leave Aussies on brink of World Cup meltdown

Australia began this World Cup with losses to India and South Africa, and after rattling off seven straight wins, have the prospect to avenge one within the hopes of creating the ultimate.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION LIVE AS IT HAPPENS

3:15AM: SOUTH AFRICA WILL NOT BE DENIED

My phrase, what a seed from Coetzee, who bowls from around the wicket and castles Josh Inglis.

Pat Cummins, the hero at Edgbaston in June, can have to take action once more to get his group into the World Cup closing.

Inglis goes for a well-made 28, 20 runs seemed assured one wicket in the past, now it feels 50/50 over again.

AND STRAIGHT AWAY ITS A HUGE SHOUT FOR LBW!

Richard Kettleborough says no, however we’ll go upstairs, it appears prefer it is probably not pitching in line as its from around the wicket.

Hawkeye reveals it’s nicely exterior leg, the youthful exuberance of Coetzee took over there.

The bowling facet at the moment are out of opinions.

No matter winner, this can be a sport we’ll bear in mind for years to return.

20 to go for the Aussies, three wickets in hand.

3:00AM: ONE STEP AT A TIME, THERE’S NO NEED TO RUSH

There’s a real Check match chase really feel to this one, the backwards and forwards, each run feels big, but in addition every run doesn’t appear shut sufficient, the stress is unimaginable.

Josh Inglis appears to be the one Aussie not feeling the warmth, nonetheless wanting fairly snug on the crease.

Naivety will be superb at occasions.

The barrage from Warner and Head to start out this innings is looming bigger and bigger, permitting the under-fire batters to ease into it and simply decide off runs right here and there.

Fortuitously, Shamsi’s spell is now carried out, I’m certain loads of the boys within the sheds are respiration a sigh of reduction, what a show of bowling it was.

Maharaj nonetheless has one over left to bowl.

South Africa are wanting in the direction of some shorter stuff with their pacemen, attempting to attract a false stroke from Starc or Inglis.

Coetzee is continually altering it up, drawing an edge from Starc that runs all the best way for 4 and nearly securing a caught and bowled.

After 38 overs, Australia are 6/188, with 25 extra to get.

2:40AM: SOUTH AFRICA BITE BACK AGAIN

Simply once you thought Smith and Inglis had been snug, Smith goes for the Freo heave-ho off an anticipated bouncer and skies one straight to de Kock behind the stumps.

Irrespective of who was gone, there was a stage of comfortability with Smith on the market, now that’s gone, with Australia’s World Cup closing hopes now resting on the shoulders of Josh Inglis.

Coetzee will get his nineteenth of the event, and boy oh boy he’s fired up, he may rip his shoulder out, Dale Steyn like!

Mitch Starc comes out with 39 to get, 4 wickets within the financial institution.

Buckle up people.

2:25AM: SPIN BARRAGE ENDS? PLEASE YES.

After what felt like an age of spin, we lastly have some tempo into the assault, it’s Coetzee for the bowling facet.

Josh Inglis performed the spinners nicely after his arrival, which can have prompted the change from Bavuma.

He and Smith have seemed barely extra expansive to the fast, which may play into South Africa’s fingers too.

Maharaj does get his ninth over, however the Aussies see that out with out hurt.

Australia are 5/165 after 31 overs, needing 48 off 114 balls.

2:00AM: JUSTICE FOR SHAMSI, MARNUS’ LUCK RUNS OUT

That was Alex Carey-like from Marnus, attempting the reverse in Indian circumstances and getting carried out LBW.

This time the umpire says out, Labuschagne sends it upstairs and it’s barely clipping leg stump.

Glenn Maxwell will come to the crease with 80 nonetheless wanted and there’s an enormous attraction first ball.

That is entering into actually harmful territory.

Maharaj and Shamsi are having all of it there means right here, who’s going to step up now?

The Aussies are in all probability counting each over these two have left, determined to see a distinct look.

And now, there’s a shout for caught behind off Maxwell who tries the reverse slog, the keeper was sure, the umpire says no and replay agrees.

The stress is true on!

And now Maxwell swipes throughout the road and is knocked over, what the hell is going on right here??????

5 wickets in hand, 76 to get and out comes Josh Inglis.

1:40AM: MOMENTUM IS SHIFTING, CAN SA PRESS ON GAS?

There’s only a lot taking place right here, the spinners for South Africa are nicely on high proper now.

Marnus was trapped on the crease by Shamsi who was sure he was gone, the umpire mentioned, no, that was reviewed and it was an umpire’s name by a hair.

Because the runs dry up, Steve Smith is put down by de Kock behind the stumps off Shamsi.

You’d really feel fairly snug if Bavuma simply let these two bowl out their overs right here, as a result of each ball appears prefer it’s going to get a wicket at this charge.

Fortuitously for the Aussies, its their two greatest gamers of spin in Smith and Labuschagne on the market.

that tumbler half-empty, that would spell doom if there’s one other wicket quickly.

Australia are 3/119 after 19 overs.

1:20AM: HEAD’S LIVES RUN OUT

South Africa had their likelihood (albeit a really robust one) to dismiss Travis Head, now he appears set to make them pay.

The opener has raced previous the fifty mark, and has knocked an enormous block out of this chase already.

Smith and Head are enjoying their strokes, so the fielders will at all times be within the sport because the Aussies move the 100 mark in 13 overs.

And Head is dropped once more!

Klaasen at first slip off Shamsi begins backing away and might’t safe the sting from Head which races to the boundary.

This sport may look a lot completely different if they’d held onto these.

That is one you may’t look away from.

AND AGAIN.

Maharaj comes on first ball and knocks over Travis Head, brings him ahead sneaks it between the gate and he’s gone for 62.

Australia are 3/109 after 15 overs.

1:00AM: NOT. SO. FAST.

Right here comes South Africa, first it was Warner and now Mitch Marsh is headed again to the sheds.

Rabada bowls again of a size, Marsh tries to smash it by means of cowl off the again foot and vad der Dussen takes a screamer at cowl.

What began slightly nervy, then seemed tremendous snug now appears actually nervy.

How will Travis Head play this? We all know Smith can be methodical and attempt to be there on the finish.

This might go proper right down to the wire, particularly with Markram getting a bit out of the pitch, perhaps it’s the sport of the part-timers.

As per the query above, as they mentioned in Interstellar, Travis Head won’t go gently into that good night time.

If he’s on the market for some time, the Aussies could possibly be very near victory.

And now there’s a shout to dismiss Steve Smith, who upon replay was struck on the hip earlier than the ball reached the fingers of the keeper.

After the primary powerplay, the Aussies are 2/74.

12:45AM: WARNER AND HEAD MAKE ROARING START, SA BREAK THROUGH

The nerves look to be settled at the very least for Warner and Head, who’ve each performed some beautiful strokes, placing the bowlers on the again foot and questioning what size to bowl.

Matthew Hayden mentioned Travis Head has a “thirst” for boundaries and it appears like he’s a bit parched.

It in all probability doesn’t look as technical as some would really like however when he hits them there may be vemon behind it.

Warner has whacked three sixes already, two off Rabada and one off Jansen, choosing them off his pads with aplomb.

Discussions at the moment are taking place between the leaders of South Africa, what do they do now?

They want wickets to win this sport, not dots it appears.

By the fifth over the Aussies are 0/40, South Africa had been 1/8.

And Warner continues to push on and Matty Hayden I dare say is FIRED UP within the commentary field, in all probability proud watching a left-handed for Australian on the World Cup smash sixes.

After six overs Australia are 0/60.

Unexpectedly, it’s one other part-timer who ends the partnership.

Markram comes on, Warner backs away and swiftly he’s castled.

That lets the air out of the balloon a bit.

12:25AM: NERVY CHASE GETS UNDERWAY

The large left-armer Marco Jansen kicks off proceedings to Travis Head and already you may inform the opener won’t die questioning, going exhausting at a number of exterior off.

Head performed and missed at a pair, however launched into one then went within the air to cowl and bounced as soon as earlier than hitting the rope.

It’ll be the famous person Rabada from the otner finish who appears on music, hitting that arduous size as per normal.

I’m certain most Aussie cricket followers will bear in mind Rabada operating by means of Australia down in Hobart a number of years in the past.

Right away he attracts a false stroke from Head, who will get fortunate because the ball rolls to 3rd man for a boundary.

After two overs the Aussies are 0/10.

INNINGS BREAK: AUSTRALIA REQUIRES 213 TO WIN

Scintillating new ball bowling from the quicks and a mid-innings circuit-breaker from Travis Head reduce a stumbling South Africa again to dimension as Australia positioned one foot within the World Cup closing at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

A rearguard David Miller century gave the Proteas a glimmer of hope, however the Aussies had the clear higher hand after bowling out South Africa for 212 with two balls unused.

The ghosts of semi-finals previous reared their heads in Kolkata, because the Proteas crumbled to 4-24 after captain Temba Bavuma selected to bat first having gained the toss.

Australian captain Pat Cummins mentioned he would have carried out the identical if the coin had landed his means however dropping the toss proved to be a blessing in disguise.

Searching for to make its first World Cup closing after 4 failed semi-final makes an attempt, South Africa’s top-order aggression evaporated within the face of sustained excellence from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who had been assisted by complete cloud protection.

Bavuma was cleared to play regardless of his hamstring criticism however his leg muscle tissue had been good solely to stroll again to the pavilion after he meekly edged Starc to wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, departing for a duck within the first over.

It set the tone for a sensational hour of seam bowling from Starc and Hazlewood, dramatically redressing Australia’s energy play points with the ball in the course of the event.

Hazlewood’s relentless accuracy annoyed Quinton de Kock (three off 14 balls) right into a miscued loft that was nicely taken by Cummins who drifted in from mid-on.

It took the Proteas 52 balls to put up their first boundary as they crept to 2-18 from 10 overs.

With Starc and Hazlewood on music, Cummins saved the pair on longer than normal, a transfer that paid off when Aiden Markram (10) tugged Starc straight ton David Warner at level, earlier than Rassie van der Dussen (six off 31) edged Hazlewood to Steve Smith at second slip.

South had crawled to 4-44 by means of 14 overs when nearly imperceptibly gentle rain pressured the groups off for round 45 minutes.

On respumption, Miller and Heinrich Klaasen supplied resistance, taking to Cummins and Adam Zampa.

The center-order pair grafted in the direction of a century stand earlier than the part-time off-spin of Head shot one by means of the defences of Klaasen on 47 earlier than trapping Marco Jansen first ball on a tiring wicket. Gerald Coetzee survived the hat-trick ball and scrapped to 19 earlier than departing to a supposed edge from a Cummins bouncer that finally proved to have missed the bat.

Starc picked up Keshav Maharaj to get his third scalp earlier than Miller teed off, smacking Cummins for a six over deep midwicket to convey up his ton earlier than departing to a juggling catch from Head within the deep later within the forty eighth over.

Kagiso Rabad holed out within the closing over for Cummins’ third wicket.

Australia axed Marcus Stoinis, permitting Marnus Labuschagne to retain his spot within the XI. Labuschagne repaid the religion with determined fielding early within the innings, as he and Warner set the tone for an Aussie outfit looking a sixth 50-over World Cup crown.

The Proteas neglected Lungi Ngidi, choosing Tabraiz Shamsi as a second spinner in what they pretty assumed can be useful circumstances.

11:25PM: CUMMINS BREAKS THE PARTNERSHIP, MILLER PUSHES ON

It’s not THE wicket they needed, however this partnership is ending with a classic Pat Cummins bouncer.

Coetzee will get tucked in and tickles one wonderful to Josh Inglis who takes the best of possibilities.

Nonetheless, replay reveals it hit the shirt and never glove however no assessment was taken.

Maharaj will come to the crease and also you’d assume the objective now’s simply to provide David Miller as a lot of the strike as attainable.

Miller has taken an actual likening to Zampa, who hasn’t been capable of get as a lot out of the wicket in comparison with the likes of Head and Maxwell.

As we get to the closing overs of this innings, 200 at worst would be the objective for South Africa, with the hopes they will even get to 230.

Arduous to know with a wicket like this and the likes of Rabada ready, whether or not or not that can be sufficient.

And Miller gained’t hand over the struggle, wanting supreme, notably on his leg facet and choosing boundaries.

After 46 overs South Africa are 7/190.

11:00PM: DANGER MAN STARTS TO ROLL

The run charge gained’t overwhelm anybody, however it is perhaps time to start out getting involved concerning the innings David Miller is placing collectively.

The left-hander has been meticulous, knocking the ball spherical persistently then swinging at nearly pre-meditated occasions.

Miller is into the 60s, batting alongside Coetzee who’s enjoying nicely for a no. 8, exhibiting some class together with a spectacular drive by means of cowl off Mitch Starc.

Glenn Maxwell’s spell is now carried out and what a spell it has been, not the wickets he would need however he has held down an finish fantastically.

Maxwell finishes with figures of 0/36 off his 10 overs.

40 overs down South Africa are 6/156.

10:40PM: HEAD FLIPS GAME ON ITS, YOU GET IT

Nicely, nicely, nicely, simply when it was turning in the direction of South Africa Travis Head has turned it throughout in two balls.

An impressed transfer from Cummins, Head was hit for 2 fours to start out the over, then bowled Klaasen and will get Marco Jansen first ball smashing him on the pads proper in entrance of center.

There’s not hat-trick nevertheless for the part-timer.

Klaasen had joined Miller in getting harmful, now all eyes flip again to David Miller to show this innings into one his facet can defend.

Zampa has struggled, however its the 2 part-time spinners who’re main the best way for Australia, there’s some flip on this wicket.

David Miller has within the meantime reached his fifty, a much-needed stand.

South Africa are 6/129 after 34 overs.

10:10PM: 50 PARTNERSHIP COMES, DANGER SIGNS?

Now, holistically, Australia are nonetheless nicely on high, however that risk of rain at the moment and tomorrow simply provides you the slightest little bit of fear.

On the plus facet, Australia have been capable of sneak in some tight overs from Glenn Maxwell, as this partnership between Klaasen and Miller hits the half-century.

There’s been a slight lull within the sport because the break, with the sting taken out of the Aussie onslaught to a level however that run charge continues to be wanting very worrying for South Africa, hitting the midway mark with solely 79 on the board.

South Africa don’t bat deep, they’ve Jansen at seven who’s helpful however is extra of a late-innings hitter, maybe they’re biding their time to settle then go exhausting in the direction of the tip.

We wait and see.

South Africa are 4/81 after 26 overs.

9:50PM: MILLER LEADS THE RESCUE MISSION

A partnership is constructing between these two, with David Miller exhibiting his class on the crease, South Africa are nonetheless nicely behind within the sport, however it hasn’t been the beginning Australia had been in search of after the break.

Miller dispatched Zampa once more over the fence, then has performed some good photographs off Cummins, who hasn’t been capable of match his counterparts.

Zampa’s spell is brief, with Glenn Maxwell approaching for a bowl, this might get attention-grabbing, will they give the impression of being to take him on?

South Africa are 4/68 after 21 overs.

9:35PM: ZAMPA TIME, GOOD CALL OR BAD CALL?

Straight out of the break, Pat Cummins turns to his star spinner Adam Zampa.

You nearly wonder if they needed to maintain going with Mitch Starc and put the foot to the throat.

We all know Zampa nevertheless has been capable of each get wickets and maintain the runs at a low charge.

Right away he’s been on the cash, the place earlier within the event he was taking a number of overs to get within the groove.

Cummins has nevertheless, determined to get Josh Hazlewood on after the restart, presumably to save lots of Starc and himself for nearer to an innings finish if there may be one?

I’m certain Cummins like all Aussie cricket followers is hoping this doesn’t get close to the 50-over mark, in order to keep away from any challenge with some rain.

And David Miller says time to get going, whacking Zampa for six over mid-on.

South Africa have hit the half-century mark, the second-slowest fifty of the event to date.

South Africa are 4/55 after 17 overs.

9:15PM: RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY ETC, ETC

You understand the drizzle you stroll to work from the practice station in, then once you get into work you look dry, that’s what’s taking place in Kolkata from all stories.

Which a) is promising and b) actually annoying, with the new begin the Aussies have made.

The brilliant facet of all of this, we are able to mirror on this thrilling begin from Australia, with Hazlewood and Starc bowling to nearly their Check stage, mixed with some distinctive fielding.

The covers look to be coming off with South African 4/44 off 14 overs.

Play will restart at 9:25pm AEDT.

8:50PM: AND HERE COMES THE FUN-STEALER

Nicely, South Africa hit a few boundaries and Mom Nature says no that’s sufficient right here comes the rain.

The covers are on in Kolkata, nevertheless solely a small bathe is predicted.

Nonetheless the rain has not been sufficient to quiten a ferocious crowd, who’re nearly epitomising the fielding we’ve got seen from Australia to start out this sport.

May this put an finish to the roll the Aussies had been on and given the reeling batting facet the break they wanted?

8:35PM: SOUTH AFRICA’S WORLD CUP SEMI MISERY ROLLS

AND AGAIN! Hazlewood is relentless.

Pat Cummins took an opportunity conserving his spearheads on and it has paid off enormously.

Rassie van der Dussen has to go, caught at second slip by Steve Smith who half caught it and half-wedged it between his legs, however all of them rely.

Can’t fairly say South Africa are identified for his or her exploits in semi-finals in a optimistic means, however boy oh boy that is one other stage.

You typically see sides dropping wickets persistently whereas nonetheless conserving the runs flowing, however this nearly looks like an Ashes sport the place it’s all in favour of the bowling facet.

Can they discover a solution or will this be wrapped up shortly?

The skipper Pat Cummins will come into the assault with South Africa already 4 down with a mere 34 runs on the board.

8:20PM: KOLKATA PRESSURE COOKER

It took 52 balls, however we’ve got a boundary on this sport because of Markram, however these first 10 overs have been a bowling and fielding clinic by Australia.

Fielding was one thing of a fear to start out this event, however the Aussies have actually ramped it up as they began to compile wins.

This has been classic Hazlewood and Starc, tightening the screws on their opponents, with the occasional Starc loosener however it’s par for the course.

The moisture within the floor has given the Aussies a lot extra bounce in comparison with the final sport at Kolkata.

There’s been some motion off the seam too, notably for Hazlewood.

After 10 overs, South Africa have made solely 18 runs!!

And now Markram goes, what is going on right here?!?!?!

8:00PM: GOOD TOSS TO LOSE????

Nicely with the potential of rain you in all probability needed to bat, nevertheless, this deck appears to have a little bit of juice in it early on.

May very well be the earliest of assumptions as soon as these balls soften slightly however alas!

Proper now the Aussies are working underneath complete cloud protection.

Josh Hazlewood has been capable of get some critical bounce off the wicket, flying by means of to Inglis at head-height on a number of events.

The large Hoff has been working at that 7m size persistently, a classic contact.

The covers being on for therefore lengthy as a result of potential rain might have simply saved a ton of moisture on this pitch.

It’s been robust sledding for South Africa early, managing simply six runs off the primary 4 overs, a combination of tight bowling and a few nice fielding early on, notably from David Warner and Glenn Maxwell on the off-side.

And the hazard man is gone !!!!!

The consistency has gotten to Quinton de Kock, who went for one on size from Hazlewood, and attempting to get on the entrance foot hits one straight into the air.

Pat Cummins settles underneath it at mid-on and takes an excellent catch.

What a begin that is certainly.

7:40PM: THE WORLD CUP MASTER STRIKES EARLY

Mitch Starc has not had the event he would have appreciated, however he will get a dream begin within the semi-final, knocking over the South African skipper with the sixth ball of the sport.

A classic Starc supply drifts throughout the right-hander, thick edge and safely into the fingers of Josh Inglis.

What a begin to this one!

Bavuma battled hamstring considerations all week, at the very least for batting functions that gained’t be a problem now.

van der Dussen involves the crease, who has performed exceptionally throughout the event.

No secret in fact, however Quinton de Kock is the wicket all Aussie cricket followers can be chasing early on.

The left-hander has been sensational at this event, whacking 4 centuries throughout the competitors, together with a 109 in opposition to Australia in Lucknow.

7:15PM: MARNUS WINS SELECTION BATTLE IN HUGE SEMI-FINAL CALL

Marnus Labuschagne has gained the choice battle over Marcus Stoinis for the ultimate spot in Australia’s XI for the World Cup semi-final.

Australia has chosen to go for additional batting depth over a further all-rounder.

It’s overcast however the rain has stayed away for now.

Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell return on the expense of Stoinis and Sean Abbott.

South Africa will bat first after successful the toss, with climate coming into some consideration of Temba Bavuma’s determination.

South Africa has made one change, dropping Lungi Ngidi for Tabraiz Shamsi.

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins mentioned he would have batted if he had gained the toss.

Labuschagne is an unimaginable story. Missed out on the 18-man squad and about to play his 18th straight ODI since that squad was named.

Sadly for Stoinis he simply hasn’t contributed persistently sufficient with bat or ball to demand a spot within the XI. He has left himself weak and it has price him in the long run.

For all of the discuss of splitting codecs, Australia’s XI for the World Cup semi-final options eight of those that performed the fifth Check at The Oval in late July.

Battle on two fronts: Australia’s plan for SA, rain revealed

A creating cyclone within the Bay of Bengal has threatened to derail Australia’s tilt for a sixth World Cup crown, with rain forecast at phases on each Thursday, the day of the match, and the reserve day on Friday.

Ought to tonight’s World Cup semi-final match be washed out, South Africa would advance because the higher-ranked facet from the league part – with the winner to tackle India, after their demolition of New Zealand final night time.

However captain Pat Cummins mentioned Australia wouldn’t premeditate the climate, enjoying the state of affairs because it comes.

“One web site tells you one thing, and one other web site tells you the alternative. It’s one thing you concentrate on,” Cummins mentioned.

“We’ll flip up, count on to play a 50-over match, and if that shifts on us nicely (we’ll take care of it).”

In the meantime, Cummins says his gamers will draw on expertise from earlier title wins within the conflict with South Africa, spurred on by Glenn Maxwell’s heroics having given them “an additional leg”.

5-time winners Australia went right down to the Proteas within the league stage by 134 runs earlier than they gained seven straight matches to make the semi-final in Kolkata on Thursday.

Australia, who misplaced an ODI collection in South Africa in September, have crushed their rivals twice in World Cup semi-finals.

“You begin from scratch each time you play,” Cummins mentioned.

“They’re a group we’ve performed rather a lot and know fairly nicely.

“I believe what helps us is we’ve received quite a lot of guys which have been on this scenario earlier than which have gained the one-day World Cup, T20 World Cup, numerous different tournaments in huge moments.

“So, I believe that basically helps. You may draw on that in the course of the competition.”

Initially revealed as Australia v South Africa Cricket World Cup semi-final: Observe all of the motion LIVE from Kolkata