Travis Head’s scintillating 48-ball 62 and bowlers’ brilliance stormed Australia to the World Cup final as the Pat Cummins-led side edged past South Africa by three wickets in the second semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.

AUSTRALIA'S INNINGS

Chasing a target of 213, Australia were off to an aggressive start with David Warner, whacking one four and four towering sixes in his 18-ball 29, before he was befuddled by Aiden Markram.

South African bowlers had put Australia to the real test. But in the end, captain Pat Cummins (14 off 29) and Mitchell Starc (16 off 38) sealed the final spot to play against India with 16 balls remaining.

Following the departure of Warner, Australia lost Mitchell Marsh (0).

Travis Head, after having a lifeline when dropped, could not manage to convert his 48-ball 62 into a century. In his resounding knock, Head clobbered nine boundaries and two sixes. South African potent player Keshav Maharaj sent Travis Head back to the pavilion with an unplayable delivery. But for his all-round performance, Travis Head was named the player of the match.

Tabraiz Shamsi’s fighting spirit paved the way for him to finally get rid of Glenn Maxwell (1 off 5) and Marnus Labuschagne (18 off 31), who was not looking settled on the wicket in the second semi-final.

Gerald Coetzee bagged two wickets in quick succession, removing Steve Smith (30 off 62) and Josh Inglis (28 off 49).

For South Africa, Tabraiz Shamsi (2-42) and Gerald Coetzee (2-47) bagged two wickets apiece.

Keshav Maharaj (1-24) and Aiden Markram (1-23) were outstanding with the bowl and went on to take a scalp each.

Kagiso Rabada (1-41) also picked up a wicket.

Marco Jansen (0-35) remained wicketless.

Australia will lock horns with India in the World Cup final on November 19 (Sunday).

Mitchell Starc (3-34) and Pat Cummins (3-51) dismantled South Africa on 212 in the last over in the second semi-final.

And then there were two 🇮🇳 🇦🇺

Presenting the #CWC23 finalists 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vv0L57egeY
— ICC (@ICC) November 16, 2023

SOUTH AFRICA'S INNINGS

Opting to bat first, South Africa lost their first wicket, when Temba Bavuma made his way back to the pavilion without troubling the scorecard. Bavuma was shown the way back to the pavilion by Mitchell Starc. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc bludgeoned South Africa’s top order.

The lone ranger in South Africa was David Miller, who racked up 116-ball 101, studding with eight fours and five sixes.

Quiton de Kock, whose form in this tournament turned out to be one of the pluses for South Africa, could only manage to plunder 14-ball 3 before he was removed by Josh Hazlewood.

Rassie van der Dussen took 31 deliveries to score merely six and was perplexed by Josh Hazlewood.

Aiden Markram could not cope with the pressure mounted by the Australian frontline pacers and perished on 20-ball 10.

Heinrich Klaasen (10) and David Miller (10) were on the wicket before the match was interrupted by rain. South Africa were 44/4 in 14 overs.

After the match started again, Klaasen and Miller looked to rebound the team's innings.

After racking up a partnership with David Miller, Heinrich Klassen (47 off 48) could not manage to notch up a fifty.

Marco Jansen (0) was trapped by Head in the next delivery.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc (3-34), Pat Cummins (3-51) bagged three wickets apiece.

Josh Hazlewood (2-12) and Travis Head (2-21) picked up two wickets apiece.

Glenn Maxwell (0-35) and Adam Zampa (0-55) remained wicketless.

➡️ From 24/4 in the 12th over
➡️ To 212 all out

David Miller’s 💯 has given the South Africa bowlers something to defend.

Read the live match report📝⬇️#CWC23 #SAvAUS https://t.co/qayvEZNW7J
— ICC (@ICC) November 16, 2023