Cricket World Cup 2023: South Africa Hope For Fifth Time Lucky In Australia Showdown

14.11.2023 - 11:39 sports.ndtv.com

South Africa insist they will not be burdened by scarring from their chequered record in Cricket World Cup knockout matches when they clash with Australia on Thursday for a spot in the final.

The Proteas have made four semi-final appearances in the showpiece - in 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015 -- but have fallen to defeat every time, twice losing to Australia.

In 1999, they lost to Australia after a dramatic tie at Edgbaston which saw their rivals go through due to a better group stage finish.

Eight years later, South Africa went down by seven wickets after being bundled out for just 149 at St Lucia. Kolkata's Eden Gardens, however, could be the stage for redemption for South Africa who made the semi-finals by winning seven of their nine league matches.

cricket Australia Cricket Team South Africa Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup Pat Cummins Glenn Maxwell Temba Bavuma Eden Gardens Gerald Coetzee Australia South Africa Sri Lanka Afghanistan

After 46 days and 48 matches, huge totals, shock wins, heartbreaking losses, records and controversies, the Cricket World Cup ended on Sunday. Australia beat hosts India to earn a sixth one-day international title. Opener Travis Head starred during the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday by hitting a sparkling 137 off 120 deliveries, powering Australia to a convincing six-wicket win. Head joined Ricky Ponting and Gilchrist as the third Australian to score a century in a men's World Cup final. Let's have a look at 10 highlights from the 2023 tournament:

Virat Kohli Emerges As Player Of The Tournament For Outstanding Show In Cricket World Cup 2023

India's batting talisman Virat Kohli ended the ICC World Cup 2023 campaign as the Player of the Tournament and leading run-scorer of the marquee event. The 36-year-old ended his ODI World Cup 2023 journey as the leading run-scorer of this prestigious tournament with a total of 765 runs. Kohli scored 54 runs off 63 deliveries in the final against the triumphant Australian team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. However, he had a fantastic campaign overall, with three tonnes and six half-centuries at an average of 101.57 and a strike rate of 90.69.

Mohammed Shami Ends Cricket World Cup 2023 As Leading Wicket-Taker

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami ended the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Shami, who had missed out on the first half of the tournament, made an entry in India's fifth league stage match against New Zealand and made an impact that a lot of bowlers have not made in their entire World Cup careers. In seven matches, Shami took 24 wickets at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20, with the best figures of 7/57. Shami had three five-wicket hauls and a four-wicket haul in the tournament and also gained the best bowling figures by an Indian in WC history.

India vs Australia, Cricket World Cup 2023 Final: Key Player Battles

Hosts India will face five-time champions Australia in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on Sunday, November 19. The match will commence at 2:00 PM IST. The India vs Australia clash will be a repeat of the 2003 World Cup final in South Africa, where the latter emerged victorious. However, India, who have been unbeaten in the tournament so far, enter Sunday's final as the favourites to secure the trophy. India boast top-performing players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammed Shami, each capable of emerging as match-winners in the title clash. Similarly, Australia possess players who can significantly influence the team's fortunes.

Cricket World Cup 2023 Final: Three Factors That Give Australia The Edge Against India

Five-time champions Australia face hosts India in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on Sunday, November 19. The match begins at 2:00 PM IST. Australia will seek to claim a record sixth World Cup crown on Sunday. The final is a rematch of the 2003 title clash which the Aussies won in South Africa. The team, captained by Pat Cummins, enters the final following a thrilling victory over the Proteas. The Australian batting lineup has found form at a crucial juncture, while the bowling attack has demonstrated its prowess in the latter stages of the tournament. Ahead of the final, we take a look at the factors that put Australia in an advantageous position against India.

Australia's Predicted XI vs India, Cricket World Cup 2023 Final: Will Marcus Stoinis Get A Chance In Title Clash?

Australia will aim to clinch their record-extending sixth ICC ODI World Cup title when they lock horns with India in the World Cup 2023 final on November 19. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host this match, scheduled to commence at 2:00 PM IST. Since the twin defeats in the opening two group phase matches, the Aussies have bounced back strongly to win each of their subsequent eight fixtures, including a win in the all-important semi-final. The Pat Cummins-led side faced a 134-run loss versus South Africa earlier in the competition.