South Africa an impressive all-around performance to secure a commanding 134-run victory over Australia in Lucknow on Thursday, October 12th. After setting a competitive total of 311 runs, largely thanks to Quinto de Kocks’s consecutive centuries, the Proteas took form control of the game during the first Powerplay, dismissing key Australian batsmen like Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, and Steve Smith. Australia found themselves in a dire situation at 70-6, saved only by a 69-run partnership between Marnus Labuscharge and Mitchell Starc. South Africa’s dominance was evident in all aspects of the match.
Australia, opting to bowl, had hoped for the pitch to improve under the lights with the expected dew, but the new ball offered more movement than in the afternoon, allowing South Africa’s fast bowlers, Marco Jansen and Luigi Ngidi, to stifle Australia’s scoring in the opening Powerplay. This pressure led to the early dismissals of Marsh and Warner. Steve Smith began promisingly with some elegant boundaries, but the pivotal moment came when Kagiso Rabada, introduced as the first change bowler, trapped Smith LBW. Although it initially appeared not out, ball tracking showed the ball hitting the leg stump, leaving Smith shocked and disrupting Australia’s momentum. Rabada continued to bowl impressively, dismissing Josh Inglis. The ball also offered substantial spin, making it difficult for Australia, and they lost wickets to Keshav Maharaj and Rabada. Despite improved conditions later in the match, Australia’s depleted batting lineup couldn’t mount a significant challenge.
South Africa’s bowlers captitalized on the conditions and the scoreboard pressure, while their total of 311 runs, built on de Kock’s century and Aiden Markram’s fifty, proved to be more than competitive. The pitch in Lucknow was relatively slow with variable bounce, and the slower balls were hard to score off, especially as the ball aged. De kock and Bavuma established a strong foundation with a century partnership, and Markram maintained the momentum during the middle overs. Although Australia improved their bowling towards the end, numerous dropped catches throughout the inning allowed South Africa to score at least 30 runs more than they should have. In the end, the target proved insurmountable for the five-time champions.
Summary:
South Africa comprehensive performance led to a 134-run victory over Australia in Lucknow. They set a competitive total of 311 runs, thanks to de Kock’s centruy and Markram’s fifty. South Africa’s bowlers exploited the pitch conditions and pressure, while Australia struggled to cope with both the movement and spin on offer. Numerous dropped catches by Australia allowed South Africa to score more runs than expected, ultimately resulting in a target that proved too challenging for Australia to chase.