Australia faced a significant setback in the ICC ODI World Cup, experiencing a tough 134-run defeat against South Africa at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on Wednesday.
In their second game of the World Cup tournament, Australia found themselves on the defensive after a six-wicket loss to India in Chennai. Opting to field first, they conceded 311 runs to South Africa, who achieved the venue’s maiden 300-plus score on a fresh pitch. The Australian batting line-up then faced some spectacular fast bowling from Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, who tore through the top order. Eventually, the Australians were dismissed for a total of 177 runs.
They faced a tough target of 312 runs to win, but their batting performance was far from remarkable, culminating in a total of only 177 runs over 40.5 overs, amounting to a 134-run loss. This represented their second consecutive defeat in the competition and the first time they’ve suffered four back-to-back losses in World Cup matches.
South Africa managed to record a tough score of 311-7, thanks in major part to Quinton de Kock’s amazing century, his second in the competition. Notably, he now joins his fellow countryman AB de Villiers as the only player to kick off a Men’s World Cup with a consecutive century.
The opening combination of Mitchell Marsh and David Warner got off to a sluggish start, with both failing to find their flow. Marsh was the first to retire, mishitting a delivery from Marco Jansen to mid-off, before Warner was despatched after edging a Lungi Ngidi delivery to point. Notably, Lungi Ngidi exhibited superb control with the new ball.
A moment of doubt occurred when Steve Smith was given out lbw following review, even though the front-on replay revealed that the ball might have missed the leg stump. The HawkEye system first presented only the ultimate outcome, leading to astonishment from Smith and his companion Marnus Labuschagne. However, the whole replay was later shown, confirming the accuracy of the judgment.
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Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell followed Smith in short succession, before the contentious sacking of Marcus Stoinis. South Africa called for a review, and the third umpire, Richard Kettleborough, determined that Stoinis had gloved Kagiso Rabada down the leg side. However, the video suggested that Stoinis’ hand was not on the bat when the ball made contact with his glove. Kettleborough’s explanation indicated both of Stoinis’ gloves making contact, although the photographs on display did not seem to support this allegation.
South Africa notched up the initial 300-plus score at the ground, which had recently received a new playing surface. In response, the Australian team faced formidable fast bowling from Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, who swiftly dismantled their top order. Eventually, the Australians were dismissed for 177.
This loss was a historic moment, as it was the first time in nearly three decades that the five-time champion experienced defeat in its first two games of a World Cup, a streak that has extended over four consecutive World Cups since the 2019 edition.
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