The Proteas signed off their World Cup campaign with a consolation 10-run win against Australia at Old Trafford, Khalid Mohidin reports.
The Proteas found their mojo with the bat, but it was a little too late having crashed out of the tournament early.
Although it was a dead-rubber match with Australia having already qualified and the Proteas playing their final match before they fly back to South Africa, the Aussies would have preferred a win so they could face New Zealand instead of England in the semi-final. It was not to be.
With Hashim Amla out injured after picking up a knee injury during football warm ups the day before the match, the fans got to see the future opening pair express their capabilities as a duo.
Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock took the Proteas quite swiftly to 79 runs in 11.3 overs, before the former was yet again dismissed by a spinner, this time Nathan Lyon setting up his stumping after an entertaining 34 (6×4; 1×6).
De Kock was easy on the eye too, he hit seven fours for his 51-ball 52 and took the Proteas to 114 before losing his wicket also to Lyon.
What followed was the stable batting display that the Proteas have been yearning for the entire tournament. Faf du Plessis (100; 7×4; 2×6) and Rassie van der Dussen (95; 4×4; 4×6) combined to score 151 runs and took South Africa to 265 before the skipper Du Plessis was dismissed.
Van der Dussen was the Proteas’ last wicket to fall on the final ball of the innings, after he saw JP Duminy (14) and Dwaine Pretorius (2) dismissed.
The Proteas posted 325-6 in their 50 overs.
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Pat Cummins’ wicket, off Phehlukwayo, slowed Australia down.
Alex Carey was a thorn in South Africa’s side. He picked the bowlers he was comfortable against and punished them. He scored his career-best score of 85 off 69 (11×4; 1×6) but he lost his wicket by slicing Morris into the safe hands of the off-side sweeper, Markram.
With Australia reduced to 277-7 after 46 overs, it was South Africa’s game to lose.
Kagiso Rabada (3-56) picked up two wickets in the 49th over to give the Proteas the upper hand. Phehlukwayo sealed the win with his second wicket.
The Proteas held their nerve and signed off the tournament with a bitter-sweet victory.
Photo: Cricket World Cup/Twitter
