South Africa, beware of Australia.
While India have stolen most of the spotlight with their unbeaten run thus far in the ongoing World Cup, Australia have silently gathered quite a momentum for
themselves going into the semi-finals.
Australia simply thrashed Bangladesh on Saturday to record their seventh win on the trot after beginning the tournament with back-to-back loses. That’s some turnaround.
While chasing down Bangladesh’s 306/8, they also achieved their biggest-ever chase in the World Cups, doing so in 44.4 overs and with eight wickets to spare.
So, ahead of their semi-final contest at the Eden on November 16, South Africa have every reason to be wary of Australia’s rampaging form.
In Pune on Saturday, it was Mitchell Marsh’s six-hitting prowess in a stellar innings of 177 not out which was the highlight of Australia’s chase. Marsh’s third ODI hundred and fifties from David Warner (53) and Steve Smith (63 not out) saw Australia home without any trouble.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, ended their campaign with yet another loss and would hope India beat the Netherlands on Sunday so that they can hold on to their 8th position and qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Marsh, who had gone home after losing his grandfather, smashed as many as nine maximums and 17 fours during his knock.
Marsh’s innings was also the second-highest individual score of this World Cup after Glenn Maxwell’s 201 not out in Australia’s stunning win over Afghanistan in their last game. Maxwell, who suffered cramps during his monumental knock, didn’t play on Saturday.
But Australia will have a selection headache for the semis. Who will they drop to bring Maxwell back in the XI? It certainly can’t be Marsh.
