On a gripping day at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Australia staged an extraordinary comeback to secure their place in the 2023 World Cup semi-finals. After being asked to field first, Australia allowed Afghanistan to post a challenging total of 291 runs. The chase seemed a daunting task as the Australian batting line-up stumbled to 91 for 7 wickets. However, a heroic inning by Glenn Maxwell, who blasted an unbeatable 201 runs from 128 balls, turned the tables and snatched a stunning three-wicket victory.
Australia’s Path to the Semi-Finals
This win has solidified Australia’s standing in the tournament, placing them third in the points table. With 12 points from eight games and a healthy net run rate, they have stamped their authority in the World Cup proceedings.
As we await the conclusion of the league matches, two outcomes are set in stone: India sits comfortably at the top of the table, and Australia is primed for a semi-final clash with South Africa. These two outcomes are unaltered by any forthcoming matches.
Semi-Final Schedule Unveiled
The World Cup’s knockout stage is taking shape with the first semi-final slated for Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on November 15. India, as the top-ranked team, will face the yet-to-be-decided fourth-placed team, which could be Pakistan, New Zealand, or Afghanistan.
The second semi-final is fixed with no room for guesswork: the second and third-ranked teams, South Africa and Australia, will face off at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on November 16. With both teams having 12 points and just one game left in the league stage, they cannot be overtaken by any other contenders.
Australia and South Africa: A World Cup Rivalry
History recalls the nail-biting semi-finals between these two cricketing powerhouses. The 1999 World Cup semi-final is etched in memories, ending in a tie and resulting in heartbreak for South Africa. In their 2007 World Cup encounter, Australia decisively bested South Africa, achieving a comfortable victory by seven wickets.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these formidable teams to see if history will repeat itself or if a new chapter will be written in their storied rivalry.
