Page 51 - The Indian EYE 102023

SPORTS OCTOBER 20, 2023 | The Indian Eye 51

ICC WORLD CUP 2023

South Africans on the rise,

Aussies on the backfoot

and Indians optimistic

South Africa is at the top with two wins in two games and four points. Australia is in the

ninth spot, having lost both games

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai/Ahmedabad/Hyderabad

ollowing his side’s 134-run win
over Australia in their ICC
FCricket World Cup match,
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma
said that it was “almost the perfect
game” and credited batter Quinton
de Kock for his second successive
WC century that set up the win for
Proteas.
A century from De Kock and
fantastic bowling spells from Kagiso
Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Marco
Jansen helped South Africa defeat
Australia by 134 runs and inflict on
the five-time champions their big-
gest-ever WC loss.
“I do think 311 was a couple
over par, probably 290-300 was par.
I guess I am glad we lost the toss be-
cause we wanted to chase as well. I
was scratchy with the bat, found it
hard but Quinton (de Kock) needs
to be given credit for the way he
played. I think I would be really
greedy if I said there are things we Virat Kohli plays a shot during the match against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday (ANI)
can improve. It was almost the per-
fect game.
The bowlers bowled really well, we have done, let us take the con- knocks to power SA to 311/7 in 50 three fours) and Mitchell Starc (27
they have been under some slap but fidence and learnings. Let us cele- overs. in 51 balls, three fours) helped the
looking at all the phases, I think the brate it and come back for the next Glenn Maxwell (2/34) and Aussies cross the 100-run mark, but
guys really dominated. I will take one,” said Bavuma in a post-match Mitchell Starc (2/53) got two wick- they were bundled out for 177 in 40.5
that as our second game. Need to presentation. ets. Also, skipper Pat Cummins, Josh overs, registering a 134-run loss, their
acknowledge the batting effort, the Coming to the match, Australia Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa got a biggest in WC history.
bowling effort was all about being opted to field first. Quinton de Kock wicket each. Now, SA is at the top with two
clinical. Lungi (Ngidi) taking the (109 in 106 balls, eight fours and five In the case of 312, Australia sunk wins in two games and four points.
new ball and KG (Rabada) showing sixes) smashed his second successive to 70/6 initially, with Kagiso Rabada Australia is in the ninth spot, having
intensity is what we are looking for. WC ton. Aiden Markram (56 in 44 (3/33) and Keshav Maharaj (2/30) lost both games. De Kock got the
In our team, character is the big- balls, seven fours and a six) and skip- wreaking havoc. ‘Player of the Match’ award for his
gest thing we have spoken about. per Temba Bavuma (35 in 55 balls, A partnership of 69 runs between ton.
You cannot overlook the good work two fours) also played some solid Marnus Labuschagne (46 in 74 balls, Continued on next page... >>

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