ICC World Cup 2023: Australia (215/7) defeat South Africa (212 all out) by 3 wickets to reach the finals of ICC World Cup 2023

[Devadwal]

Yet he came into this WC averaging 52, QdK 38. Hendricks 29, but he was the "deserving" player? Do you know how insane that sounds?

That's why i said stats is misleading. Btw where he were scored those runs? Can you share some impact innings of bavuma?

 

[jnaveen1980]

But Reeza shouldn't have been in this WC based on form. So your argument does not make sense either way

Bavuma did declare that he was not 100% fit. Why did he play when he was not fit? He also did the same league match where he couldn't even run or field. Is it mandatory Bavuma has to be on the field always regardless how unfit he is? I just could not understand that.

 

[Mamoon]

Brilliant captaincy by Bavuma in the end. Perhaps we could have introduced Markram earlier, perhaps opened the bowling taking into account how much Head was turning. But ultimately we didn't have enough runs in the end. That's what cost us this game

He can’t bat to save his life though, and he is one of the most uninspiring and uncharismatic leaders I have seen.

For how long can he hide behind his skin color though? You lot should send him over to your neighbors Zimbabwe. He would be better fit there.

 

[Mamoon]

Everything about Bavuma screams mediocrity.

His batting, his personality, his body language. He is awful.

 

[soso_killer]

Bavuma did declare that he was not 100% fit. Why did he play when he was not fit? He also did the same league match where he couldn't even run or field. Is it mandatory Bavuma has to be on the field always regardless how unfit he is? I just could not understand that.

The argument on here is that he did not make the squad on merit which is nonsensical. He was the leading run scorer for his side for well over a year.

Was he atrocious in this World Cup, 100%. Should he have been dropped, especially after declaring himself unfit? 100%

Can you spot the difference between the two paragraphs?

 

[jnaveen1980]

He can’t bat to save his life though, and he is one of the most uninspiring and uncharismatic leaders I have seen.

For how long can he hide behind his skin color though? You lot should send him over to your neighbors Zimbabwe. He would be better fit there.

I read an article on how inclusiveness helps South Africans. I understand why they have quota for them. But they already have Ngidi, Rabada, Maharaj.

 

[soso_killer]

He can’t bat to save his life though, and he is one of the most uninspiring and uncharismatic leaders I have seen.

For how long can he hide behind his skin color though? You lot should send him over to your neighbors Zimbabwe. He would be better fit there.

"He can't bat to save his life" yet "deserving" players have even worse numbers than him? How does that argument make sense?

 

[soso_killer]

That's why i said stats is misleading. Btw where he were scored those runs? Can you share some impact innings of bavuma?

Why would stats be misleading when they are based on performance on the cricket field against a variety of sides?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

"He can't bat to save his life" yet "deserving" players have even worse numbers than him? How does that argument make sense?

Bavuma was certainly better than Janneman and Reeza. I have no doubt that. But it's questionable why he got so many chances when Ryan Rickleton did not get a fair shout.

And Bavuma was utter rubbish in T20's and was made SA captain. Your own SA20 league franchises refused to select him.

 

[Devadwal]

Why would stats be misleading when they are based on performance on the cricket field against a variety of sides?

Can you please post some of his impactful performance . I just want to know where he scored those runs and against which team's.

 

[jnaveen1980]

The argument on here is that he did not make the squad on merit which is nonsensical. He was the leading run scorer for his side for well over a year.

Was he atrocious in this World Cup, 100%. Should he have been dropped, especially after declaring himself unfit? 100%

Can you spot the difference between the two paragraphs?

I was not aware of his form. But one thing i noticed he does well in south africa. But outside he is very poor.

At home 56.85 avge/92.56 strike rate - 25 innings
Away 23.33 avge/65.42 Strike rate - 6 innings
Neutral 19.14 avge/75.28 Strike rate - 7 innings

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Highlights of the second semi final between South Africa and Australia.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[soso_killer]

Bavuma was certainly better than Janneman and Reeza. I have no doubt that. But it's questionable why he got so many chances when Ryan Rickleton did not get a fair shout.

And Bavuma was utter rubbish in T20's and was made SA captain. Your own SA20 league franchises refused to select him.

Because he was performing?

 

[soso_killer]

I was not aware of his form. But one thing i noticed he does well in south africa. But outside he is very poor.

At home 56.85 avge/92.56 strike rate - 25 innings
Away 23.33 avge/65.42 Strike rate - 6 innings
Neutral 19.14 avge/75.28 Strike rate - 7 innings

That's where he has played most of his games over the last year. I don't recall how many ODI's we've played away post the pandemic, but Reeza and Malan haven't faired better. As such the slot was given to not just the best performer of the three but our best player over the last year or so. I'm not exactly where the debate is. Those players were also given opportunities long before Bavuma and couldn't lock a place down

 

[soso_killer]

Can you please post some of his impactful performance . I just want to know where he scored those runs and against which team's.

Ask English fans

 

[sweep_shot]

Ask English fans

Those games were meaningless bilateral games. Less pressure than World Cup games.

Did England even field their main team?

 

[soso_killer]

Those games were meaningless bilateral games. Less pressure than World Cup games.

Did England even field their main team?

On what bases are players selected for their national sides then? At random?
What does it also say about players who fail to score in these "meaningless" games?

 

[soso_killer]

On what bases are players selected for their national sides then? At random?
What does it also say about players who fail to score in these "meaningless" games?

And yes, England did bring their full strength side

 

[sweep_shot]

On what bases are players selected for their national sides then? At random?
What does it also say about players who fail to score in these "meaningless" games?

Cricket is both a subjective and objective game.

Netherlands's Ryan Ten Doeschate has the highest ODI batting average of all time. Does that mean he is better than Kohli, Tendulkar, Ponting etc.?

You have to look at capabilities and impacts along with stats. Stats don't always give the full picture.

Bavuma doesn't even have 40 ODI games under his belt. How is he the captain over likes of De Kock, Miller etc.?

 

[jnaveen1980]

This article comes down heavily SOuth African captaincy

Brainless, heartless Proteas blow it

Failures of leadership, a lack of temperament, technical and tactical ineptitude. It was the same old South African World Cup story, unfolding under the watch of an incompetent captain, Temba Bavuma, writes RYAN VREDE.

www.sacricketmag.com

Brainless, heartless Proteas blow it​

Failures of leadership, a lack of temperament, technical and tactical ineptitude. It was the same old South African World Cup story, unfolding under the watch of an incompetent captain, Temba Bavuma, writes RYAN VREDE.



Already there are those calling this defeat “brave”. There could not be a more flawed characterisation of a performance that saw South Africa crash out of the World Cup. You don’t get to fold in the most fundamental ways and have the benefit of having your effort called brave. It was an abject failure by every meaningful metric.



This feels all too familiar in the worst ways. It is made more painful by the fact that the Proteas had the measure of their opponents, having beaten them in four of their six encounters this year.


This Australian team doesn’t stand up in comparison to others who’ve contested and won this tournament. They have mongrel but don’t carry the imposing aura their predecessors did. Yet they were made to look like champions in waiting by a South African side that became a shadow of themself under pressure.


The semi-final looked over as a contest when a batting lineup that had scored more than 300 four times at the tournament – including against Australia in the league phase – was four down for nothing. Then David Miller revived hope with a brilliant century. 212 posted. Game on.


However, skipper Temba Bavuma then made his biggest contribution to the tournament. His inexplicable persistence with Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, who went for 60 runs in six overs, ultimately cost his side victory.

His leadership has been cited as a reason for his retention, despite his dreadful batting form. Yet it is abundantly clear that he doesn’t have the temperament or talent, as a batsman or captain, to withstand the pressures of a World Cup. A bilateral series, sure. But not a marquee tournament where pressure is ever-present.

It didn’t take a tactical genius to know that spin was going to be their most potent weapon. In Keshav Maharaj, they have the world’s top-ranked bowler. He didn’t bowl until the 15th over. In Tabraiz Shamsi they have a former top-ranked ODI bowler. He didn’t bowl until the 14th over. Aiden Markram broke the opening partnership and went for just 16 in four overs. He wouldn’t bowl again until the 40th over.

South Africa made it to the semi-finals despite Bavuma, not because of him, as many apologists argue. He has overseen two World Cups that featured defeats to the Netherlands. Two where he has betrayed the loyalty of his coaches.

There have been other Proteas captains who’ve failed at World Cups. But none made such a significant contribution to their exit.

Head coach Rob Walter has got a zero return on his investment from Bavuma. His legacy may be defined by that investment. He is solely in charge of selection and willfully picked an injured, out-of-form captain. That is an indictment of his competence.

A cricket team reflects the most prominent attributes their coach and captain possess. In this context, except David Miller, the Proteas’ batters portrayed Walter and Bavuma as mental dwarves, absent of any courage in the face of adversity. Quinton de Kock and Markram were reckless, Rassie van der Dussen technically deficient, while Heinrich Klaasen and Jansen got out to Travis Head, a wicketkeeper who occasionally bowls off-spin.

Bavuma, who knicked off for zero, four balls into his innings, has a future in ODI cricket. But that future must not be as a captain.

This team, laden with players who are unlikely to make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup, must evolve. The most critical dimension of that evolution must be a captain who leads through performance, is tactically astute, and has a presence on and off the field.

That’s for the future. The present is a dark and familiar space. Where there was hope, now only despair brought on by another group of South African players for whom the moment was too big.

 

[OMB]

4 more years now.
I feel so bad for this otherwise great team.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Australia player Mitchell Starc during the Post-Match press conference.

[Reporter:]

What were the emotions like there, particularly towards the end of that chase? Obviously, it got a bit tight there.

[Mitchell Starc:]

Yeah, it did. I think it was a tricky wicket throughout and I guess different phases of pressure for both teams throughout the game. So, yeah, I was pretty calm. I think Pat was pretty calm as well. And whilst it was pretty close, we had plenty of time. So, nice to squeeze past and make to a final.

[Reporter:]

On a personal front with the ball, how pleasing is it, sort of gratifying to play like that at such a big game given the tournament you've had?

[Mitchell Starc:]

Yeah, that's probably not been the tournament I would have liked from the get go but nice to step up in a big game. And I think our power play was probably what got us on our way. And there were other key moments through the day with bat and ball, but to start the game like that with Joshie [Hazelwood] and I, power play wickets have probably been not our strong suit through the tournament so it's nice to have a power play of what two for 18 or something like that so the way Josh bowled throughout to finish two for 12 was incredible, and then Trav with bat and ball. I think a lot of guys in the field as well, the way Davey stepped up in the field and led by example. You could probably name everyone at different circumstances through the day to really step up in a big game.

[Reporter:]

Just about the first 10 overs, later on it became a pitch that was really suiting the spinners. But what was it like for you and Josh? Bounce, moving around, compared to everything else that you've got?

[Mitchell Starc:]

Yeah, it was obviously pretty bare wicket. I'm not sure if it was slightly tougher to start with the bat due to being under covers for some amount of time, I'm not sure how long. We probably saw it was very, very inconsistent pace whilst it did probably nip a little bit, there was a little bit of swing. I think the inconsistencies made it tough to bat on with that first 10 overs that we bowled. So, I think looking at Josh's pitch map, that's what he does so well in Test match bowling. He was incredible today and the way we run off each other to have that power play that we did and carry some momentum through the middle was how we want to start matches so it was nice to do it in a big game.

[Reporter:]

Speaking of power plays, just the innings that Travis Head played, in the context of the game and how difficult it got for batting. That is the role why, I mean, straight away, he has back and spine injury and everything.

[Mitchell Starc:]

Yeah, I think the way not only Trav [Head] but also Davey [Warner], they certainly put the pressure straight on South Africa there in the first 10 overs. We've seen throughout the tournament how tough the first 10 overs can be at certain times of the day, with the two out and the hard new balls. When you're willing to take the game on like that and sometimes you take a little bit of luck with you but the guys were fantastic in that opening partnership and then Trav carried through a bit longer and he was probably looking a bit ominous there not to go further, closer to 100 so, yeah certainly took some pressure off early with the way that the guys started and obviously, much needed with how we saw the back end of the game and giving ourselves a bit of extra time not to have to go so hard at the end.

[Reporter:]

You mentioned that those power plays, was it, despite there being some counter punching and back and forth, was it really just a tale of two power plays? The story of that match and the fact that Australia was so aggressive in both - does that really reflect, I guess, the aggression of the side, the way you attack it, and the positive mindset straight on that you can just land that first punch early, do most of the hard work?

[Mitchell Starc:]

Yeah, I guess so. I think I certainly didn't sit in batting meetings but that was pretty much how we drew it up. We wanted to hit hard with the ball. We know that South Africa are very strong at the back end if they've got wickets in hand and if we can get Miller and Klaassen in early or within the first 20 overs, then we're well on our way. It makes it a bit harder for them to back end it. So, it certainly went to plan with the ball today. And that's pretty much the way we set up with the bat is to really be aggressive, take the game on and the freedom to give those guys to go out and play the way they like to. I think that was certainly the first 10 overs with the bat is how we drew it up. Obviously it got tougher with the spin there and South Africa bowled well in different patches to put pressure back on us. But I think the way we started with the bat meant, as I said before, we didn't have to go as hard at the back end.

[Reporter:]

You'll be playing against India in Ahmedabad in front of 130,000 crowd. You have seen that Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been having a great time opening. So how much are you looking forward to tackling the Indian openers with the new ball?

[Mitchell Starc:]

It’s why we play the game. We want to take on the best. They've been the best in the tournament so far and we both find ourselves in the finals. So that's what World Cups are about. You want to take on the best throughout and we certainly come up against a team that have obviously led from the front through the tournament and they're undefeated. So, we played them in the first game of the tournament, now we get to take them on in the last. So yeah, what a place to be at the end of a World Cup.

[Reporter:]

Are you a bit surprised given there's been so many runs scored in this tournament, you only had to look at last night when there was more than 700 runs scored in the Mumbai final, that you ended up on a pitch that really didn't showcase the one-day game as it could have been showcased in the major world cricket event?

[Mitchell Starc:]

Yeah, I'm certainly not going to say I'm one to read pitches and know what they do. I mean training here the last few days, the practice wicket certainly turned a lot. From all reports I think the wicket we played on has been used a few times so no surprise that it did turn. Probably a little surprising that it did seam around a little bit whilst I said before it was pretty inconsistent pace wise, I think average first inning scores here have been sort of around 300 mark or a little bit higher. So yeah, a little bit surprising but you know sometimes it's nice to see ball dominate bat sometimes.

[Reporter:]

Were you surprised that they didn’t come a little harder at you in the power play?

[Mitchell Starc:]

I think at certain stages they tried to. I think as I said, Josh was incredible with his line and length. We were able to build a lot of dot balls on them, which brings a shot like Quinton played. So, he's obviously been a big part of their World Cup and scoring runs and to see the back of him early and get their middle order in, as I said, sooner rather than towards the back end where they can play with freedom was what we drew up. So, I think the discipline we showed today probably prevented them going any harder or certainly the way we fielded as well prevented them leaking runs or letting the scoreboard get away from us. So yeah, a mixture of discipline with the ball and it certainly backed up in the field by the guys meant we certainly were on top in the power play.

[Reporter:]

Yeah, your batsman had a tough time against the South African spinners tonight is that a concern ahead of the final?

[Mitchell Starc:]

I guess we'll find out when we get to Ahmedabad tomorrow and see if it's a fresh wicket or an old wicket.

[Reporter:]

The last time India played Australia in the World Cup final was back in 2003. You were a sprightly 13-year-old boy at the time. Happy memories from that match for you given what happened in the final?

[Mitchell Starc:]

Apart from Australia winning, I don't know what happened in that game.

Probably asleep. I can't remember what I did two weeks ago.
[Reporter:]

What do you think will matter the most in the final of a World Cup? Is it going to be handling of the pressure or will it be exclusively or largely the skill of the players involved?

[Mitchell Starc:]

You can probably say both. It's a big occasion, it's a World Cup final. Certainly, guys in both changing rooms have been there before at different formats. Both teams played each other in the [World Test Championship] Final earlier in the year. I don't think either changing room is new to big occasions. It's certainly going to be a big occasion in a World Cup Final in India. It's going to be loud. There's going to be a lot of passion there. It's going to be a fantastic occasion and no doubt there's going to be different amounts of pressure at different times on both teams. And yeah, I think it's just going to be a great spectacle of cricket. And certainly, everyone in our changing room is looking forward to the occasion.

 

[batandballbattle]

Always had the feeling that SA wouldn't have enough. Once a choker, always a choker.
India still winning at a canter on Sunday though

 

[kron]

I was not aware of his form. But one thing i noticed he does well in south africa. But outside he is very poor.

At home 56.85 avge/92.56 strike rate - 25 innings
Away 23.33 avge/65.42 Strike rate - 6 innings
Neutral 19.14 avge/75.28 Strike rate - 7 innings

See great kohlis test stats for the last 3 years. He still plays though doesn't he?

 

[BouncerGuy]

LOL. Looks like the coach is not taking any questions related to Australia. He simply doesn't care anymore about this World Cup.

--------------------------------------------

South Africa’s Coach Rob Walter during Australia vs South Africa post-match presser:

[Reporter:]

If I could ask you - can I have a few words or would you like to answer the question on India v Australia I mean, how are you I mean if you had to, once you over the disappointment, who do you think would make it, get the trophy?

[Rob Walter:]

To be honest, there's about a 1% chance I'll be watching. And to be even more brutally honest, I actually don't care.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Former south african spin wizard is not happy with Bavuma's performance as a captain. May be sack him as well. LOL

----------------------------------------------------------------

Imran Tahir criticized Bavuma's decision-making as captain and stated that the South Africans treated the occasion like a match in a bilateral series.

“It is all about mindset. If you are going out on the field, are you going as a warrior? You are persisting with a bowler who's bowling 90mph (Coetzee), but you didn't keep a slip for him. Then, you concede a four from slips when they need 25 runs to win. As a captain, and even as senior players, you should know such things,”

“This is a big game, not a normal, bilateral match. Youngsters don't realize what more this bunch could've done. Sure, a South African team will eventually reach a final. Youngsters will come. We believed in this team, and they won't be the first heroes to reach the final. If you keep squandering such chances... today, the ground was full. There are 54 million South Africans who were behind you. Personally, I'm very disappointed. Give me a South Africa kit right now, I'm ready to fight even at this age,”

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES​

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australia has lost 15 out of the last 18 ODis to South Africa lol All history now. So many errors by SA.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

The 2nd semi-final at Eden Gardens was a great game of cricket with Australian mental resilience and temperament making all the difference.Few games ever have ever been so determined by the first 10 overs when the Aussies literally strangled a noose around the neck of their old adversary,the Proteas.

After the flesh was ripped of the South African batting,it ressurected itself,with 2 major partnerships,to reach a fighting total.Australia started with a boomerang or performing a combing operation at 60-0 in a mere 6 overs.However with unflinching resilience the Proteas clawed themselves back ,or put themselves back into the reckoning when the game looked like slipping away,and at 137-5,with the dismissal of Glen Maxwell,almost drew level.In the end the Aussies just scampered through ,with the South Africans sending them jitters with the wickets of Steve Smith and finally Inglis.Australain batsmen were floundering and tormented with the spin .South Africa also dropped 3 crucial catches.With a score of around 235,the Proteas may well have won. Credit to them for ressurecting after looking dead and buried,but still it could not triumph.

History repeated iteslf,with South Africa lacking the required temparament to rise to an occasion,or adapt to adverse conditions.

 

[7sins]

Top class over by cummins

 

[Ali Active]

Surya looks short on confidence

 

[Ali Active]

Aus have atleast saved 30 runs by feilding

 

[Rana]

With these new stadiums,

Is there any way to stop dew?

 

[Ali Active]

this will be tight match pitch has no pace whatsoever

 

[kingusama92]

Perfection from the Aussies throughout the match barring a few overthrows.

Great use of the conditions.

 

[soso_killer]

Cricket is both a subjective and objective game.

Netherlands's Ryan Ten Doeschate has the highest ODI batting average of all time. Does that mean he is better than Kohli, Tendulkar, Ponting etc.?

You have to look at capabilities and impacts along with stats. Stats don't always give the full picture.

Bavuma doesn't even have 40 ODI games under his belt. How is he the captain over likes of De Kock, Miller etc.?

Surely no one can be this thick?

1. RTD averages 42 against full member nations, which is still less than what Bavuma averaged coming into the tournament against the same opposition.

2. There is no room for "subjectivity" when it comes to selection. If two players are given the same amount of opportunities where one averages 52 and the other 29 throughout his career, then logic would suggest the player with an average of 52 makes the starting XI unequivocally.

3. Who's the Sachin Tendulkar or Ricky Ponting that was left at home/didn't play? Would that be the 34 year old bloke averaging 29?

4. He is captain because QdK resigned and Markram wasn't consistent at the time of QdK's resignation

 

[sweep_shot]

Surely no one can be this thick?

1. RTD averages 42 against full member nations, which is still less than what Bavuma averaged coming into the tournament against the same opposition.

2. There is no room for "subjectivity" when it comes to selection. If two players are given the same amount of opportunities where one averages 52 and the other 29 throughout his career, then logic would suggest the player with an average of 52 makes the starting XI unequivocally.

3. Who's the Sachin Tendulkar or Ricky Ponting that was left at home/didn't play? Would that be the 34 year old bloke averaging 29?

4. He is captain because QdK resigned and Markram wasn't consistent at the time of QdK's resignation

Keep on playing Bavuma please. Easy wicket for opposition.

SA are effectively 1 down before batting innings even begins.

 

[soso_killer]

Keep on playing Bavuma please. Easy wicket for opposition.

SA are effectively 1 down before batting innings even begins.

We will, thanks. No chance of playing a 34 year old averaging 29.

If someone wants to displace Bavuma then they have to out-bat him which shouldn't be hard since he doesn't "deserve" his slot

 

[LegendAli]

Haven't been this happy in awhile, Australia ended that 10 game good for nothing streak.

 

[uncanny]

Just get these two out and bring Kuldeep for Maxwell, is this plan good? @Devadwal , what do you say? I think it's a good plan. 130,000 in the stadium can create pressure.

 

[uncanny]

I am just surprised Why Kohli is not raising his arms? Why is he not interacting with the crowd?

 

[uncanny]

@Devadwal India is still in game, I think I'll different trick to write bad English