South Africa 53-0 after 10 overs.
Australia 50-3 after 10 overs.
It would be simplifying things too much to conclude that this was the difference between South Africa and Australia in the World Cup match in Lucknow. There were many factors. But if there was one to pick, the contrast in the starts made by the two teams would be hard to ignore. South Africa won the first round in both halves and kept building on the advantage to register a crushing 134-run win.
A second defeat in as many games does not rule Australia out, although they have to win almost everything remaining to ensure a last-four berth. They wasted the new ball, and suffered in the 10 overs bowled by Adam Zampa, their leg-spinner, because they had no third spin option. They went wicketless for long periods and were practically out of the match after being reduced to 56-4 at the start of the 12th over.
It was yet another shocking fielding performance, grassing chances in different parts of the ground — a tough one behind the stumps, easier ones in the deep, inside the circle and a simple chance back to the bowler. That drop by Pat Cummins gave Aiden Markram a life early on and he cashed in on it with a 44-ball 56. In the previous game, Mitch Marsh had dropped Virat Kohli to help India’s cause.
Nothing went right for Australia after Cummins won the toss. South Africa’s total of 311-7 may not suggest it, but the pitch was not the easiest to bat on. However, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struggled for direction against the left-right opening pair and conceded early fours to Quinton de Kock. De Kock, the left-hand batter who plays his IPL cricket in Lucknow, was in silken touch and followed up his century in the last match with a 106-ball 109.
De Kock was the main difference between the teams. He provided the platform on which the South African total was built. Unafraid to take chances when the situation permitted and focussed on playing a long innings otherwise, he finally fell in the 35th over. By that time, the stage was set for a final assault. Some late damage control with the ball by Australia prevented that, but there were contributions from almost everyone and a few lucky edges towards the end.
The South African batting unit is looking ominous. This was their fifth successive 300-plus total, including two above 400. After piling up a World Cup record 428 against Sri Lanka in the previous match where three of them hit centuries, they didn’t get as many big scores in Lucknow. But all those who batted chipped in. A second big win gives them a healthy net run rate as well.
After a disappointing World Cup in 2019 when they finished seventh with just three wins, South Africa have come back well stocked in bowling too. Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen hardly bowled a loose one. Jansen extracted bounce from a length and made the ball move. It was difficult to get him away. Kagiso Rabada as first change offered no respite and struck crucial blows. The spinners were effective as well. Four points from two outings, and run rate boosted – more will be heard of this team.