It came six weeks too late but the South Africa of old – the ruthless, dominant side which has been a force to reckon with in world cricket – was on display as they bowed out of the ICC World Cup 2019 with a 10-run victory over Australia at the Old Trafford on Saturday.
It wasn’t an easy task though as David Warner (122) and Alex Carey (85) threatened to take the game away but the Proteas held their nerves to end on a winning note.
The result meant that India finished the league stage as table toppers and will now🤪 𒐪face New Zealand in the first semi-finals on Tuesday while Australia will face England on Thursday.
Led by Faf du Plessis’ 100 and Rassie van der Dussen’s 95, South Africa posted a formidable 325/6 on the board in their 50 overs. The Proteas bowlers then did the job efficiently but Warner, who has hardly put a foot wrong the whole tournament smoked his 17th ODI ton yet wasn’t able to take his side over the line.
Australia eventually waꦍs restricte🐻d to 315 in 49.5 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Great game and well done South Africa, Australia fought brilliantly though.
⛦So all set for the first semi finals- in Manchester— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
India have won 7 match🐼es so far in this WC. But their best resu🉐lt is SA beating Aus.👍👍👍
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
Avoiding India in the Semi might be just the tonic … If that happens I declare it G & T O’clock …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
South Africa peaking at the right time!
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49)
Australia fought brilliantly but South Africa finally getting their ac🌌t right, in time enough to mak🀅e it a semi- finals !
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Fantastic game , Warner and Alex Carey fought brilliant🌌ly for Australia, but SA showed great character to win this game. Looking forward to in Manchester in the first semi-finals.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
South Africa spoil Australia's semi-final plans and send them into the semi-final against England in Birmingham. India to play New Zealand in Manchester on Tuesday. That's it for Imran Tahir and JP Duminy as well.
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM)
//twitter.com/KP24/status/1147602245942435840
Australia at Edgbaston:
Last ODI win: 1993 [Lost 3, N/R 4, Tie 1 since then]
Last International win: 2✃001 [Lost 8, N/R 4, Draw 1 since then🔥]They will play the 2nd semi-final at Edgbaston vs Enꦰgland who won all their last 10 International games at this venue.
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats)
Player of the Match had a 👌 da♎y with the bat and as captain. Just the way for a proud skipper to finish after a disappointing campaign.
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)
S🏅outh Africa beat Australia — who would be worried about fitness of a feಞw key players.Khawaja & Stoinis look injured. Hopefully they’re fit before the semis
SF1: July 9 — India v New Zealand at Manchester
SF2: ♍July 11 — Australia v England at Edgbaston— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
Where have you been !!!…. great game!
— Anila Khawaja (@anilakhawaja)
Congratulations ⛦and on fantastic ODI careers. Great players but more importantly gre🎃at blokes!
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh)
New Zealand was t🔯he only side India did not play against in . Now t🐈hat encounter is very much a possibility.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
India started their world cup by beating South Africa 🎶and South Africa have ended their world cup by doing India a favour
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75)
Great insight from on comms on how to beat Australia. “Assume the game is only going 35 overs, dominate them, attack them early, don’t be scared to take them on. Be prepared to att🎐ack with your best bowlers”. “Keep going for wickets!” Love it. 💪🏼 !
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum)
Did I say that out loud 😂😂😂😂😂🤦♂️
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23)
