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Australia v South Africa: Live coverage of 2019 Cricket World Cup clash at Old Trafford

Injuries add to Australia’s misery as they book a semi-final clash with in-form England.

Daniel Sankey
21 min read
8:02AMJuly 07, 2019.
Updated 5:12PMJuly 16, 2019
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David Warner scored a brilliant ton against South Africa, while Usman Khawaja sustained a hamstring injury.
David Warner scored a brilliant ton against South Africa, while Usman Khawaja sustained a hamstring injury.

SOUTH AFRICA 6-325 (Faf du Plessis 100, Rassie van der Dussen 95, Quinton de Kock 52, Nathan Lyon 2-53, Mitchell Starc 2-59) defeated AUSTRALIA 315 (David Warner 122, Alex Carey 85, Kagiso Rabada 3-56, Andile Phehlukwayo 2-22, Dwaine Pretorious 2-27) at Old Trafford.

Australia will have to take the hard road to the World Cup final after David Warner’s heroics couldn’t stop them from falling 10 runs short of a thrilling chase against South Africa.

Chasing 326 for victory to top the ladder, Australia left Old Trafford battered and bruised after being plunged into a sudden-death semi-final against England on Thursday.

Warner hit 122 and Alex Carey’s 89 gave Australia late hope, but they were all out for 315 on the second last ball.

Australia’s David Warner celebrates his century against South Africa in typical David Warner fashion. Picture: AP
Australia’s David Warner celebrates his century against South Africa in typical David Warner fashion. Picture: AP

Usman Khawaja’s hamstring will be a point of concern after he retired hurt before later returning, while Mitchell Starc and Marcus Stoinis both sought assistance from the physio.

The loss dropped Australia to second on the World Cup ladder at the end of the rounds, missing out on the chance to stay in Manchester and face fourth-placed New Zealand in Tuesday’s semi-final.

Alex Carey notched his highest ODI score for Australia. Picture: AP
Alex Carey notched his highest ODI score for Australia. Picture: AP

That task will now fall to India, who beat Sri Lanka earlier this morning (AEST) to claim top spot.

In pursuit of their biggest successful chase in World Cup history, Australia were on the back foot from the opening overs when Aaron Finch punched Imran Tahir to cover on three.

After Khawaja retired hurt on six, Smith followed on seven when he was trapped lbw by Dwaine Pretorius when he jumped across his stumps.

Stoinis (22) was then run out by a nice piece of work from wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, after he and Warner steadied the ship with a 62-run stand. Stoinis had also sought assistance from the physio during his innings, just weeks after returning from a side strain.

But while Glenn Maxwell fell for 12, all the while Warner was in control. He pulled the ball brilliantly and manipulated the field the more his 117-ball innings went on.

South Africa’s Chris Morris, centre, is congratulated by teammates Tabraiz Shamsi (left) and Dwaine Pretorius after dismissing Alex Carey. Picture: AP
South Africa’s Chris Morris, centre, is congratulated by teammates Tabraiz Shamsi (left) and Dwaine Pretorius after dismissing Alex Carey. Picture: AP

He and Carey looked to give Australia a chance with a 108-run stand from 90 balls, before Warner fell to a sensational Chris Morris catch at mid-on. Carey kept up the fight with 11 boundaries and one six, but he holed out at deep cover with five overs to go.

Khawaja finished on 18 before he ramped Kagiso Rabada onto his own stumps, before Starc (16) and Nathan Lyon followed.

Lyon had earlier been Australia’s best with the ball, taking 2-53 after South Africa flew out of the blocks.

He removed both Aiden Markram (34) and de Kock (52), before Faf du Plessis hit 100 and Rassie van der Dussen (95) in their 6-325.

Carey pulled off a neat bit of work to stump Markram, but was left to rue a missed stumping off Maxwell when van der Dussen was on four.

Starc went the journey early and at one stage appeared to be battling a knee issue, but later returned to take 2-59.

That took him to 26 wickets for the tournament, equal with Glenn McGrath’s 2007 record for the most scalps in a single World Cup.

AAP

■ Read our live blog below for a recap of how the match played out

Daniel Sankey 6.21am: WICKET! Australia all out for 315

It’s all over at Old Trafford, with Australia falling 10 runs short of victory as they’re all out for 315 from 49.5 overs. Nathan Lyon is the last man to go, caught by Aiden Markram at deep midwicket off the bowling of Andile Phehlukwayo for 3. For South Africa, it’s a pride salvaging victory in a disappointing World Cup — and while Australia live to fight another day, the loss means they finish second on the World Cup table and will face England in a difficult semi-final match-up at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Daniel Sankey 6.15am: WICKET! Starc bowled

The end is nigh for Australia as Mitchell Starc is bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 16 (11). Nathan Lyon is the final man in with Australia 9-306, needing 20 to win from the final seven balls of the match.

Daniel Sankey 6.11am: WICKET! Khawaja bowled

A brave effort from Usman Khawaja comes to an end, with the injured Aussie batsman playing onto his own stumps as he attempted to flick Kagiso Rabada over short fine leg for four. Australia slump to 8-301, still needing 25 runs to win from 11 deliveries.

Daniel Sankey 5.57am: WICKET! Carey holes out

Disaster for Australia as Alex Carey (85 from 69 deliveries) is caught by Aiden Markram at deep cover off the bowling of Chris Morris. That could be the decisive blow for South Africa as Australia slump to 7-275, still requiring 51 runs to win off the final 28 deliveries.

The injured Usman Khawaja (6 not out) returns for the final overs and while he won’t be doing much running with his leg injury, he will be doing his best to hit Australia to what’s now an unlikely victory.

Daniel Sankey 5.51am: WICKET! Cummins caught

Pat Cummins (9 from 15 deliveries) departs, caught at long-on by JP Duminy off the bowling of Andile Phehlukwayo as he attempted to smash him over the boundary for six. The equation gets tougher for Australia at 6-272 — they need 53 runs from 32 deliveries as Mitchell Starc makes his way to the middle to join Alex Carey (85 not out, 68 deliveries).

Daniel Sankey 5.42am: Carey keeps Australia in it

Alex Carey has got the required run rate back under 10 per over thanks to some lusty hitting off Imran Tahir’s 9th over. He smashed a six over long-on before beating the long-off fieldsman for four to take 17 runs off the over, in the process moving to 72 not out from 61 deliveries. Where there’s hope...

Alex Carey keeps his eyes on the prize against South Africa. Picture: Getty Images
Alex Carey keeps his eyes on the prize against South Africa. Picture: Getty Images

Daniel Sankey 5.28am: WICKET! Warner out to brilliant catch

“What an unbelievable catch.”

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke sums it up perfectly in the commentary box for Fox Cricket as David Warner falls for 122 (117 deliveries), caught by a diving Chris Morris at mid on off the bowling of Dwaine Pretorious.

Is that the wicket that finally kills off the Australian resistance? They’re now 5-227 after 39.1 overs, still requiring 99 runs to win from 65 deliveries.

Daniel Sankey 5.25am: Carey brings up 50

Another ODI half century for wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who guides Kagiso Rabada to the third man boundary for four. Carey’s 50 not out comes from just 47 deliveries as Australia move to 4-227 after 39 overs.

It’s Carey’s third half century of this World Cup and comes hot on the heels of his brilliant 71 against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Daniel Sankey 5.18am: 200 up for Australia

Alex Carey pulls a short ball from young spinner Tabraiz Shamsi straight down the ground for four to bring up Austrlaia’s 200 in the 37th over — and South Africa’s bowlers are really starting to feel the pressure right now. Carey then picks up a single and hands over to David Warner, who thumps consecutive boundaries to leave Shamsi scratching his head. Two more singles takes the tally to 16 from the Shamsi over and Australia power along to 4-215 after 37 overs. They need 111 run win from the last 13 overs at a run rate of 8.5 an over.

Daniel Sankey 5.05am: Warner brings up his century

It’s ODI century no.17 for David Warner, who brings up the milestone with a delicate guide through third man for four. He’s moved to 101 not out from just 100 deliveries with 12 fours and two sixes to boot. Australia are now 4-183 in the 34th over and Warner’s attention now turns to completing his rescue mission, with victory for the Aussies enough to secure top spot on the World Cup ladder heading into this week’s semi-finals.

Warner now has four World Cup centuries to his credit from 17 matches — one behind the mark set by Ricky Ponting, who needed 46 World Cup matches to do so.

Daniel Sankey 5am: Drinks — Australia 4-174

With David Warner (93 not out, 98 deliveries) rapidly closing in on yet another century, we take our final drinks break of the match. It’s still a massive uphill battle for Australia from here ... at 4-174, they still need almost nine runs an over if they’re to overhaul South Africa’s total of 325.

However, Warner and Alex Carey (28 not out, 31 deliveries) are hanging in there, keeping the run rate at a manageable level. If they can get through the next 10 overs unscathed, we could be in for a thrilling finish.

Carey has already had a life — put down by Imran Tahir off his own bowling.

Daniel Sankey 4.25am: WICKET! Maxwell caught

A brilliant catch by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock brings Glenn Maxwell undone and leaves the Australian innings in tatters at 4-119. Maxwell attempted to hook a short ball from Kagiso Rabada on the first delivery of the 24th over and got a top edge, the ball flying through to de Kock who sprang into the air to take a sensational one-handed grab above his head.

David Warner (67 not out, 76 deliveries) and new batsman Alex Carey now come together with Australia needing eight runs an over to overhaul South Africa’s total of 325.

Daniel Sankey 4.01am: WICKET! Stoinis run out

Australia’s running between the wickets has been diabolical from the get-go in this match — so it’s no surprise that the next wicket to fall comes about courtesy of a run out. Marcus Stoinis is the man caught short as he attempts a quick single when David Warner works the ball off his pads towards Kagiso Rabada at short fine leg. The throw from Rabada is only average, but wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock does brilliantly to deflect the ball behind his back onto the stumps with Stoinis just short of his ground.

Australia slump to 3-92 in the 19th over as Stoinis departs for 22 (34 deliveries). Warner is 55 not out (62 deliveries) and Glenn Maxwell is the next man in.

Daniel Sankey 3.55am: 50 up for Warner

David Warner brings up his 21st ODI half century, moving to 50 not out from just 48 deliveries. Now in the 18th over, Australia have settled following the loss of two early wickets, moving to 2-85 chasing 326 for victory.

While the odds are still heavily in South Africa’s favour, with Australia needing in excess of seven runs an over from here on in to win, there remains hope while Warner is at the crease.

Daniel Sankey 3.32am: Aussies’ injury woes mount

After a charmed run through this World Cup, it seems injury concerns have hit Australia in a rush. Both Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell copped nasty blows in the nets during the week, with Marsh ruled out of the tournament with a broken arm and Maxwell forced to prove his fitness before playing today.

Marsh’s departure has seen Peter Handscomb called into the Aussie squad, but more reinforcements may be required. Usman Khawaja has already been forced to retire hurt today with an injury to his upper left leg, while Marcus Stoinis (11 not out) now appears to be battling a back injury as he bats with David Warner (33 not out) as Australia is 2-62 in the 13th over, chasing South Africa’s big total of 325.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has no doubt who should be called into the Australian squad should another batsman be needed for the upcoming semi-finals. Speaking in commentary for Fox Cricket, Clarke said Matthew Wade should be next man in — and he even went as far to advocate he be picked ahead of Handscomb should it come down to a choice between the two for Australia’s semi-final XI.

In-form Aussie Matthew Wade smashes a boundary against Northampton last month. Picture: Getty Images
In-form Aussie Matthew Wade smashes a boundary against Northampton last month. Picture: Getty Images

Currently part of the Australia A squad that’s touring England, Wade has smashed 355 runs in his past four innings at an average of more than 88, including two centuries.

Also for Australia A, Handscomb has managed 149 runs at an average of almost 75.

Peter Handscomb drives during Australia A’s clash with Northampton last month. Picture: Getty Images
Peter Handscomb drives during Australia A’s clash with Northampton last month. Picture: Getty Images

Daniel Sankey 3.05am: WICKET! Smith trapped LBW

A huge wicket for South Africa, with Dwaine Pretorious trapping Steve Smith LBW for 7 (6 deliveries). Smith chose not to review the decision, even though it hit him just under the thigh pad — but replays showed it would have taken the top of the stumps and the decision would have stood anyway in the event of a review.

Australia slump to 2-33 — effectively 3-33 with Khawaja not expected to play any further part in this match — and much now rests on the shoulder of David Warner (17 not out, 24 deliveries) as he’s joined in the middle by Marcus Stoinis.

Daniel Sankey 3.01am: Another run out chance missed

Crazy running yet again from the Aussies, with a mid-pitch mix-up between David Warner and Steve Smith very nearly seeing Smith dismissed. Smith struck what looked to be a straightforward two, but when a wayward throw was taken by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock several metres behind the stumps, Warner ran ... then stopped ... then ran and called for Smith to run to the non-striker’s end. de Kock got the ball to Kagiso Rabada in plenty of time for him to remove the bails ahead of Smith’s despairing slide, but Rabada couldn’t gather cleanly and he survived.

After six overs, Australia are 1-29, with Warner on 17 not out (24 deliveries) and Smith on 3 not out (3 deliveries).

Daniel Sankey 2.58pm: Injured Khawaja retires hurt

Another blow for Australia — and this one could have ramifications for the semi-finals. Usman Khawaja (6 not out, 5 deliveries), who appears to be battling a leg injury, is forced to retire hurt in the fifth over with Australia on 1-20.

Just moments earlier, Khawaja was treated by the team physio, who applied compression bandages to his left upper leg, signifying either a quad or hamstring complaint.

Khawaja’s departure brings Steve Smith to the wicket, once again to a chorus of boos from the Old Trafford crowd. David Warner is on 11 not out.

Daniel Sankey 2.44am: WICKET! Finch caught

Faf du Plessie’s decision to open the bowling with 40-year-old spinner Imran Tahir pays almost immediate dividends, with Aaron Finch driving straight to Aiden Markram at cover. The opener takes a safe catch diving forward to his right and Finch goes for 3 (4 deliveries).

Usman Khawaja joins David Warner at the crease and after three overs, Australia are 1-13.

Daniel Sankey 2.40am: South Africa butcher run out chance

Drama in the first over of Australia’s run chase, with South Africa bombing what appeared to be a clear-cut run out chance. David Warner worked Imran Tahir off his pads on the third ball of the innings and immediately set off for a single as Kagiso Rabada picked up the ball at short fine leg. There was clearly no run in it and Warner, sent back by Aaron Finch, looked to be stranded mid-pitch — but Rabada threw to the non-striker’s end and Warner scrambled home to safety.

Australia 0-2 after the first over, with both Warner and Finch on 1 not out.

Daniel Sankey 2.05am: WICKET! South Africa make 6-325

Heartbreak for Rassie van der Dussen on the final ball of the innings. Chasing a six that would have brought up his maiden ODI century, van der Dussen smashes a short ball to cow corner but sends it straight down the throat of Glenn Maxwell, who takes a safe catch.

van der Dussen is dismissed for a career-best ODI score of 95 (97 deliveries) as South Africa finish their 50 overs on 6-325, with Andile Phehlukwayo (4 not out, 3 deliveries) the unbeaten batsman. South African captain Faf du Plessie, though, was the undoubted star of the show, with a brilliant 100 coming from just 94 deliveries. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock (52 off 51 deliveries) and Aiden Markram (34 from 37 deliveries) also made telling contributions at the top of the order.

For Australia, Nathan Lyon (2-53) and Mitchell Starc (2-59) both picked up two scalps, while Jason Behrendorff (1-55) and Pat Cummins (1-66) were the other wicket-takers.

Daniel Sankey 1.58am: WICKET! Starc equals McGrath record

Dwaine Pretorious is bowled for 2 by Mitchell Starc, who brings up a record-equalling 26th wicket in this World Cup in the penultimate over of South Africa’s innings.

Starc has now equalled Glenn McGrath’s record of 26 wickets in a World Cup, taken in 2007.

With seven balls remaining, South Africa are 5-317, with Rassie van der Dussen (92 not out, 93 deliveries) agonisingly close to an ODI century.

Daniel Sankey 1.45am: WICKET! Stoinis takes brilliant catch

JP Duminy leaves the field for the final time in ODI cricket as he’s dismissed for 14 (13 deliveries) thanks to a brilliant outfield catch by Marcus Stoinis off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

Duminy, who’s stepping down from ODI cricket after the World Cup, was given the benefit of the doubt by the umpire, who gave a soft call of not out before going to the video for clarification. Replays showed that Stoinis got his fingers under the ball and Duminy has to depart. South Africa are 4-295 in the 47th over.

Daniel Sankey 1.28am: du Plessie falls for 100

South African captain Faf du Plessie lets out a relieved grin as he brings up his century from just 93 deliveries.

However, he doesn’t add another run as he gets an outside edge to a knuckle ball from Jason Behrendorff that flies tamely to Mitchell Starc at short third man.

After 43 overs, South Africa are still in a dominant position at 3-265, with Rassie van der Dussen (60 not out, 76 deliveries) to be joined in the middle by JP Duminy.

Daniel Sankey 1.16am: van der Dussen notches 50

It took a dive to get there, but Rassie van der Dussen has brought up his 50 from 69 deliveries as South Africa moves to 2-249 in the 41st over. van der Dussen elected to take a quick single as he pushed to the offside off the bowling of Jason Behrendorff, and it very nearly brought him undone as Steve Smith gathered and threw down the stumps. However, van der Dussen’s dive got him home by by barest of margins.

Daniel Sankey 12.53am: 200 up for South Africa

There’s a greater urgency to the South African batting now, with Faf du Plessis in particular looking to up the tempo as the 200 comes up in the 35th over of the match. The South African captain has smashed two massive sixes in the past two overs to edge his team’s run rate to just under six an over.

du Plessis is 75 not out (70 deliveries) and Rassie van der Dussen is 29 not out (51 deliveries) as the players take a drinks break with South Africa at 2-208.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for du Plessis — however, both he and Glenn Maxwell were able to see the lighter side of this collision, which ended up with them entangled together on the pitch.

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell (left) as he and Faf du Plessis collide. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Glenn Maxwell (left) as he and Faf du Plessis collide. Picture: AFP

Daniel Sankey 12.39am: No Faffing around from du Plessis

South African captain Faf du Plessis drives square off the back foot off the bowling of Mitchell Starc, bringing up his half century off just 54 deliveries. That’s his third successive 50 in this World Cup, but he’s yet to bring up a century — his highest score in this tournament tis 96 not out, which came in South Africa’s most recent match against Sri Lanka, a comfortable 9-wicket victory at Chester-le-Street. After 31 overs, South Africa are 2-175, with Rassie van der Dussen on 23 not out (43 deliveries).

Daniel Sankey 12.18am: Carey misses stumping chance

A huge missed opportunity in the 25th over of the match, with Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey failing to snaffle a straightforward stumping chance off the bowling of Glenn Maxwell. South Africa now 2-144.

Daniel Sankey 11.46pm: WICKET! Lyon picks up his second

A furious Quinton de Kock (52, 51 deliveries) remonstrates with himself as he makes a crucial error that leads to his dismissal just moments after bringing up his half century.

Lyon was again brave enough to toss the ball up and de Kock attempted to smash the Aussie off-spinner back over his head. However, he was beaten in flight and got an outside edge that floated gently into the waiting hands of Mitchell Starc in a catching position at short third man.

South Africa are now 2-114 as Rassie van der Dussen makes his way to the wicket to join Faf du Plessie (16 not out).

Daniel Sankey 11.42pm: de Kock brings up his 50

With South Africa at 1-107 after 16 overs, Australian captain Aaron Finch turns to a second spin option in Steve Smith. After being greeted with a chorus of boos from the Manchester crowd, he throws in a long hop that Quinton de Kock smashes to the boundary to bring up his 50 from just 43 deliveries.

Daniel Sankey 11.20pm: WICKET! Carey stumps Markram

Nathan Lyon gets a much-needed breakthrough for Australia, luring Aiden Markram (34 from 36 deliveries) out of his crease with a beautifully-flighted delivery that beats the bat. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey does the rest, producing some smart work behind the stumps to catch Markram just short of his ground.

After 11.3 overs, South Africa are 1-79, with Quinton de Kock (37 not out, 32 deliveries) joined in the middle by captain Faf du Plessis.

Daniel Sankey 11..13pm: Behrendorff drops Markram

This will go down as a missed chance, but it was an exceptionally tough one. Jason Behrendorff had very little time to react as Aiden Markram smashed the ball straight.

Daniel Sankey 11.04pm: No let-up from South African batsmen

Yes, it’s early stages ... but South Africa have got themselves on target for a monster total at Old Trafford. After eight overs, they’re 0-66, with both Aiden Markram (32 off 25) and Quinton de Kock (27 off 23) going at better than a run a ball.

Daniel Sankey 10.48pm: Aussie bowlers cop the treatment

Some early pain for Australia’s bowlers, with Aiden Markram (20 not out, 18 deliveries) and Quinton de Kock (7 not out, 6 deliveries) powering to 0-34 after 4 overs. Mitchell Starc has gone for 18 off his first two overs, while Jason Behrendorff (0-16) hasn’t fared much better.

There’s a bit of swing out there for the two left-armers, but both are struggling to control it. Starc conceded four wides from his first delivery of the match.

Daniel Sankey 10.36pm: Positive start for South Africa

South Africa have made a flying start, taking 14 runs from Mitchell Starc’s first over. Eight of those runs came off the bat of Aiden Markram, who’s punched two boundaries square of the wicket.

Daniel Sankey 10.05pm: South Africa win toss, bat

South Africa has won the toss and will bat in the final preliminary match of the Cricket World Cup at Old Trafford.

Australian captain Aaron Finch named an unchanged XI for the match, with Glenn Maxwell to play despite copping a nasty blow in the nets from Mitchell Starc during the week.

“Unchanged again, it seems to have been working the last couple of days. (Jason) Behrendorff with the new ball has been bowling beautifully, (so too) Starc, Cummins, Lyon. And everyone has been chipping in with the bat, when guys have had an opportunity to put their hand up and be part of a really good win, they’ve done that.”

South Africa were forced into a late change with Hashim Amla injured in the warm-up. As a result, Tabraiz Shamsi comes into the XI and Aiden Markram will open the batting with wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock.

AUSTRALIA XI: Finch (c), Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Maxwell, Stoinis, Carey (wk), Cummins, Starc, Behrendorff, Lyon.

SOUTH AFRICA XI: de Kock (wk), Markram, du Plessis (c), van der Dussen, Duminy, Pretorius, Phehlukwayo, Rabada, Ngidi, Tahir, Shamsi.

Ready to rumble … Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Picture: AP
Ready to rumble … Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Picture: AP

Daniel Sankey 9.45pm: South Africa warm up

Given Quinton de Kock has bowled a total of six deliveries in first class cricket — and given he’s a wicketkeeper! — I’m sorry to say that I can’t see him playing much of a role with the ball against Australia tonight.

However, it’s crucial that he and Hashim Amla get South Africa off to a flying start when they open the batting later tonight if they’re any chance of causing an upset.

de Kock has had an indifferent World Cup heading into South Africa’s final match of the tournament. He’s only passed 50 twice, scoring 253 runs in the tournament at an average of 36.14.

9.20pm: First look at Old Trafford pitch

Scott Bailey 8.30pm: 20 years on, Cup classic remembered

Glenn Maxwell remembers it for Lance Klusener’s power hitting and Darren Lehmann’s missed run out. For Aaron Finch it’s Australia’s shooting stars uniform and that spell of bowling from Shane Warne. But South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis doesn’t want to remember it at all. Tonight’s clash between Australia and South Africa won’t have as much riding on it, but it will at least evoke memories of that 1999 semi-final tie at Edgbaston.

Steve Waugh (centre) celebrates the match-winning run out of Allan Donald at Edgbaston in 1999. Picture: File
Steve Waugh (centre) celebrates the match-winning run out of Allan Donald at Edgbaston in 1999. Picture: File

Still regarded as the finest one-day match ever played 20 years on, the game is remembered for the last-over run out. But there was so much more than that.

Steve Waugh backed up his century in the controversial must-win victory over South Africa days earlier, as he and combined with Michael Bevan to help Australia recover from 4-68 to 213.

South Africa were cruising in reply at 0-48, before Warne entered the fray.

“You think back to the 1999 World Cup and that was probably the first one that I can remember as a kid growing up,” Finch said.

“The spell of Warnie in crunch games in the finals, getting big wickets.”

Shane Warne celebrates a wicket in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final. Picture: AFP
Shane Warne celebrates a wicket in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final. Picture: AFP

Warne took 3-0 in a nine-ball stint, flaying his arms in celebration as South Africa became 4-61.

“I remember the kit too,” Finch said. “The kit was unbelievable. Best of all-time.”

From there, the game hung in the balance until that famous last over. “I was probably being a bit naughty by staying up and watching it,” Maxwell recalled.

“My memories are the final over with Lance Klusener, I was thinking there was no chance. ‘This bloke is absolutely hammering them’. He was so far ahead of the times for a finisher. It felt like wherever they put a fielder it didn’t matter.”

Lance Klusener in action in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final. Picture: File
Lance Klusener in action in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final. Picture: File

History showed that Klusener’s heroics weren’t enough. First Allan Donald survived a Lehmann run-out opportunity from next to the stumps, before Damien Fleming’s ten-pin bowling style run-out the next ball. “For Damien Fleming to hold his nerve (was incredible),” Maxwell said. “Former coach Lehmann to miss a run out from (metres) away. He used to always spray me about how bad my underarm was. I wish I had of used that as some ammo against him.”

Du Plessis’ memories of the game aren’t as positive. “I don’t remember it being great (memories). I remember them as being sad,” he said.

“Watching it back now, you see a completely different game. I see South Africa cruising and then Warnie coming on and bowling, one ball hitting (Hansie Cronje) on the toe and going to slip, and you are thinking with DRS, could it have been different?

“(Klusener) was seeing the ball so big, so you could take down a boundary at any stage of that (last) over. But then you put yourself in that situation now, it’s actually not always as easy as it looks. There’s not that clarity of thinking.”

AAP

8pm: Marsh injury ‘hit boys hard’

Australia captain Aaron Finch insisted there will be no let-up in the intensity of the champions’ training sessions at the World Cup after ‘friendly fire’ ended batsman Shaun Marsh’s involvement in the tournament.

Marsh suffered a broken arm batting against Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins in the nets at Old Trafford on Thursday ahead of tonight’s concluding group match against South Africa.

The consolation for Australia, already through to the semi-finals, is Marsh — who has now been replaced in the squad by Peter Handscomb — had already fallen out of their first-choice side.

Shaun Marsh. Picture: AFP
Shaun Marsh. Picture: AFP

“Shaun is still in surgery at the moment, currently,” Finch said yesterday.

“So we just wish him a speedy recovery. I think it hit the boys pretty hard yesterday. It was just unfortunate that it hit him where it did. An inch lower, an inch higher, and he would be fine.”

Shortly before Marsh’s injury, all-rounder Glenn Maxwell — batting in the very same net — was struck a painful blow by left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

Asked if the Australia quicks were being fed “red meat”, a smiling Finch replied: “No, it was just one of those freak things. Shaun got a bouncer that sort of followed him a little bit.

“We always pride ourself on competitive net sessions. We think that keeps you very sharp as a batsman in particular and it was one of those unfortunate things.

“Maxxy, the one that he got just didn’t bounce quite as much as he expected, it hit him on the arm, so yeah, it was no fault of anyone really.

“It was guys being competitive in the nets and guys making sure that each and every one’s as prepared to play as and when required.”

AFP

Scott Bailey 7.30pm: du Plessis weighs future

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis’ last one-day cricket match with South Africa could be against Australia as he plans to consider his future following the World Cup.

du Plessis has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s one-day team since his debut in 2011, having scored more than 5400 runs at an average of 47. Imran Tahir and JP Duminy have already confirmed they will only be available for Twenty20 cricket following the tournament.

Veteran Hashim Amla meanwhile wants to continue playing, but the heat is on following the team’s worst-ever World Cup campaign. And du Plessis said he was unsure if he would play on in 50-over cricket, after having previously indicated next year’s Twenty20 World Cup would be his last ICC event.

Disappointing tournament … South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. Picture: AFP
Disappointing tournament … South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. Picture: AFP

“Right now is possibly not the best time to be making decisions because you are disappointed,” du Plessis said.

“You don’t want to be in this mode when you are making career decisions. So, for me, it will be a case of taking some time off and reflecting what does the future look like for me as well.

“What’s my purpose going forward? Is it still playing all three formats for South Africa? Those are the things that I would need to consider.”

Several questions will likely be asked of South Africa’s campaign, after they crashed out contention with a fortnight of the group phase still to play. They entered the tournament among the world’s top ranked teams, but have barely fired a shot as they only claimed wins over Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

AAP

Read related topics:David WarnerPat Cummins

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-south-africa-live-coverage-of-2019-cricket-world-cup-clash-at-old-trafford/news-story/68c43bb74bc96cb5a52370372b2b9fa9