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PHOTOS: Australia lose to SA; set up England semi-final

July 07, 2019

Images from the ICC World Cup match between Australia and South Africa at Old Trafford on Saturday

IMAGE: Australia's Jason Behrendorff consoles a dejected Nathan Lyon after their defeat to South Africa. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Prolific opener David Warner smashed a brilliant 122 but could not claim victory for Australia as they slipped to a 10-run defeat to South Africa in their Cricket World Cup clash at Old Trafford on Saturday, leaving them facing a semi-final against England.

 

The result allowed India to take over at the top of the round-robin table at the end of the first stage, meaning Australia will battle the host nation at Edgbaston on Thursday, while the Indians meet New Zealand at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Already-eliminated South Africa chose to bat and a century from captain Faf du Plessis took them to 325 for six in their 50 overs, a total boosted by Rassie van der Dussen’s well-constructed 95.

Australia were in trouble early in their innings and a hamstring injury to number three batsman Usman Khawaja saw him retire hurt, and put the rest of his tournament in jeopardy, but they rallied magnificently before being bowled out for 315 with one ball remaining.

Australia lost captain Aaron Finch (3) in the third over of their reply and were in further trouble when Khawaja hobbled off with the score on 20.

IMAGE: David Warner celebrates on completing his century. Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Steve Smith (7) was trapped leg before wicket by Dwaine Pretorius (2-27), before wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock effected a brilliant run-out of Marcus Stoinis (22) with a flick behind his back and then took a superb catch to remove Glenn Maxwell (12).

At that stage Australia were reeling at 119 for four, but Warner continued to score at a run a ball and got to his 17th ODI hundred with fours off successive deliveries.

He put on a brilliant 108 in 90 balls for the sixth wicket with the excellent Alex Carey (85 from 69 balls) to keep Australia in the hunt but miscued a Pretorius delivery and was superbly caught by a diving Chris Morris at mid-on.

A hobbling Khawaja (18) returned to the wicket late in the innings but, with his movement restricted, was bowled by seamer Kagiso Rabada (3-56).

IMAGE: South Africa's Faf du Plessis celebrates on reaching his century against Australia. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images via Reuters

Captain Faf du Plessis struck South Africa's first century of the Cricket World Cup to lift his side to an imposing 325 for six against Australia at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Eliminated South Africa won the toss on a good batting wicket and took advantage of the conditions to set a challenging target for an Australian side seeking victory to finish top of the round-robin table and set up a semi-final with New Zealand.

 

IMAGE: Australia's Marcus Stoinis takes a catch to dismiss South Africa's Jean-Paul Duminy. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters

Opener Quinton de Kock (52) gave his side a solid start before he became one of two wickets for spinner Nathan Lyon (2-53), but the platform was laid for Du Plessis (100 from 94 balls) and the impressive Rassie van der Dussen (95 from 97 balls).

The pair put on 151 for the third wicket at a run-a-ball, with Van der Dussen making his highest one-day international score before he was caught on the boundary attempting a six off the final ball of the innings to get to his century.

Source: REUTERS
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