In the 10th game of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, South Africa secured a commanding 134-run victory over Australia at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on Thursday. Quinton de Kock played an impressive innings of 109 runs.
The Australian team struggled to pursue 312 runs, as South Africa’s fast bowlers dominated the match. Kagiso Rabada was a standout performer with figures of 3/33, while Marco Jansen, along with the spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, contributed with two wickets each.
Despite efforts from Marnus Labuschagne (46), Mitchell Starc (27), and Pat Cummins (22), Australia was eventually bowled out for a total of 177.
In the first innings, Quinton de Kock played a pivotal role, mirroring his earlier performance with a second successive century.
Here is the point table: ICC World Cup Points Table 2023 Update
He contributed significantly to South Africa’s total of 311-7, although Australia’s fielding woes included dropping five catches. The 30-year-old De Kock, who is set to retire from ODI cricket after the tournament, reached his 19th ODI century in 90 balls, featuring eight fours and five sixes.
He had previously scored a century in South Africa’s opening victory over Sri Lanka but was eventually dismissed for 109. He was bowled out by off-spinner Glenn Maxwell while attempting a reverse sweep in the 35th over.
Aiden Markram, who had previously scored the fastest World Cup century in just 49 balls during the victory over Sri Lanka, quickly reached 56, capitalizing on a dropped catch by Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins when he had scored only one run. Australia’s fielding woes continued throughout the match, with South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, also dropped twice when he was on 19 and 32.
However, Bavuma’s luck ran out when he was caught at midwicket by David Warner off Maxwell, having scored 35. Bavuma had formed a crucial 108-run partnership for the first wicket alongside De Kock.
After Markram was dismissed by Cummins, South Africa continued to build on their total with contributions from Marco Jansen (26) and David Miller (17), taking them past the 300-run mark. Both Miller and Jansen were dismissed in the final over, with Mitchell Starc delivering a double-wicket maiden.
They had missed chances for dismissals earlier in the penultimate over when Starc dropped Miller, and Marcus Stoinis gave Jansen a second opportunity, both off Cummins.