Match Preview: Australia vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 2nd Semi-Final

Welcome to Eden Gardens, where cricket's heartbeat echoes! In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final, Australia's streak of triumphs meets South Africa's resilient spirit, each with a history rich and complex. Here, the game transcends boundaries, merging past glories and present dreams.

It's not just a contest but a spectacular dance of strategy and skill, where Australia's legacy and South Africa's ambition intertwine in a thrilling narrative, promising an unforgettable spectacle in the annals of cricket.

Venue Insights

Eden Gardens in Kolkata, a cricketing landmark, is renowned for facilitating high-scoring matches, often favouring the batsmen. The pitch here typically sees an average first innings score of around 244, indicating a bias towards batting, and setting the scene for potentially high-scoring affairs. However, batting becomes more challenging in the second innings, as reflected in a lower average score of 199, highlighting the difficulties in sustaining scoring momentum. With historical data showing that 23 out of 39 matches have been won by the team batting first, it's likely that the captains, upon winning the toss, might prefer to bat first to capitalize on the advantages this pitch has to offer.

Form Guide: Australia

Australia's form in the lead-up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by an unbroken streak of victories (WWWWW). Starting with a couple of setbacks, the team has roared back with seven consecutive wins, a testament to their resilience and tactical acumen. David Warner, entering the twilight of his one-day career, has been a standout performer, matching the feats of South Africa's Quinton de Kock with consistently high scores.

Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell have been pivotal in this turnaround, notching up the tournament's highest individual scores and the fastest century, surpassing the achievements of de Kock and Aiden Markram. This formidable form, coupled with a deep-seated confidence stemming from their storied World Cup history, makes Australia a daunting opponent.

They have won five World Cup titles and have only four knockout losses in 18 matches since their first semi-final appearance in 1975. This legacy, combined with their current momentum, positions them as strong contenders for yet another title.

Form Guide: South Africa

South Africa's journey to the semi-finals, marked by a strong WLWWW form, has been both impressive and tumultuous. The team has a unique distinction among Australia's opponents, with a positive win-loss record of 55 to 50 in ODI cricket, including 15 victories in their last 18 encounters. Their performance in the group stage has been dominant, winning seven out of nine matches and scoring four totals over 350 runs - a feat unmatched by any other team in the tournament.

However, the shadow of their World Cup history looms large over Temba Bavuma's team. Past agonies, particularly in crucial matches, add a psychological dimension to their challenge. The team's batting prowess was highlighted by a record-breaking 428 for 5 against Sri Lanka in Delhi, the highest score ever at a World Cup. However, the pressure of historical setbacks and the physical uncertainty surrounding Bavuma, who is nursing a hamstring strain, adds to the team's challenges.