Abu Dhabi: Australia sealed their place in the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2021 on the final matchday of Super 12, Group 1 sealing 8 wicket victory over West Indies in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. However, their place was confirmed later in the same evening when South Africa despite equalling the points with Aaron Finch’s side with a 10 wicket victory over England in Sharjah failed to topple the net-run rate of the Aussies.
Australia had outplayed the West Indies in the first game of the day in all sectors. Aussie skipper Aaron Finch’s confidence in his bowling unit was there to see as he asked the Caribbeans to bat first. Josh Hazlewood(4/39), Adam Zampa(1/20), and Mitchell Starc(1/32) put on a stellar display with the white leather restricting the West Indies to 157/7.
Caribbean skipper Kieron Pollard(44) anchored the innings after his top order failed again to build up the innings. Evin Lewis(29) and Shimron Hetmyer(27) did start well but failed to up the pace. Andre Russell(18*) came in handy at the death propelling his side score past the 150 run mark.
In reply, Aussies rode on David Warner(89*) and Mitchell Marsh’s knocks to chase down the total in 16.2 overs. Despite, losing skipper Finch early on, the innings were anchored well by the burly south-paw Warner who looked like to have found his rhythm just at the right time.
However, it was all-rounder Marsh who made the difference after being promoted up the order to make sure the pace of the innings didn’t drop to secure a healthy net run rate and he did it in style hammering a 32 ball 53 before falling to Chris Gayle just before the finish with Australia(161/2 in 16.2 overs) sitting comfortably behind group leader England after the game.
Elsewhere in Sharjah in the same evening, South Africa had to register a victory by a big margin over England. Rassie van der Dussen(94*) and Aiden Makram(52*) stitched an unbeaten 103 stand to put a mammoth 189/2 on the board.
As it stood, the Protests, if were to qualify had to restrict the strong England batting unit to below 132 which ultimately became impossible. Jason Roy(20) and Jos Butler(26) gave the English side a blistering start before the former had to leave the field limping after suffering an injury.
Moeen Ali(37), Davi Malan(33), and Liam Livingstone(27) all added cameos as England raced their way through to 132 in the 16 over confirming South Africa’s exit from the tournament.
However, the Proteas despite playing just for the pride after that made sure they leave the tournament with a morale-boosting victory. As England need 14 off the penultimate over, star seamer Kagiso Rabada struck a hat-trick removing Chris Woakes, Eoin Morgan, and Chris Jordan helping South Africa restrict England to 179/8 in 20 overs.
