World Cup: South Africa suffer another semi-final heartbreak as Australia reach eighth final
The Eden Gardens have been under covers in the build-up to the second World Cup semi-final, and the match also took place under overcast skies
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc removed Temba Bavuma for a duck in the very first over of the innings, and would later dismiss Aiden Markram
Josh Hazlewood was just as lethal with the new ball in overcast conditions, removing Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen as the Proteas were reduced to 24/4
David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen however, came to South Africa’s rescue with a 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket
Miller would eventually fight his way to a century, and would help South Africa cross 200 before getting dismissed off Pat Cummins’ bowling
Travis Head not only grabbed a couple of important wickets, he also starred with the bat by smashing a 48-ball 62
South Africa fought back with the ball after conceding 60 runs in the first six overs with Keshav Maharaj dismissing Travis Head
Tabraiz Shamsi then struck in successive overs, reducing Australia to 137/5 and give South Africa hope of pulling off an unlikely victory
Patient knocks from Steve Smith and Josh Inglis however, helped Australia absorb the pressure that the South Africans had managed to create with a flurry of wickets
Gerald Coetzee would then remove both Smith and Inglis to give the Proteas one last glimmer of hope and take his wicket tally to 20 on World Cup debut
Mitchell Starc and skipper Pat Cummins would then finish the job with an unbroken 22-run partnership to power Australia into their eighth ICC World Cup final in 13 editions.