Australia defeat South Africa by 83 runs

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If they weren't already, Australia can now be considered World Cup favourites as they defeated South Africa by a gaping 83 runs. South Africa won the toss and interestingly sent Australia into bat - we've developed a reputation of not being able to defend large scores and the Proteas hoped to exploit our weakness. Interesting move.

Australia knew they'd have to put on a huge total and started out perfectly. Gilly and Hayden burst out of the gate, starting at up to 10 runs per over. Man of the match Matt Hayden was on fire, notching 100 in only 66 balls - it was the fastest century in World Cup history. When the openers fell, Ponting (91) and Clarke (92) went on with it - we were that close to three batsmen scoring centuries.

Even Andrew Symonds hit a couple of boundaries although he fell for 18. The only downside in the batting was Hussey out for 5. What has happened to Mr Cricket lately? Nevertheless, Australia set an imposing total of 6 for 377. By no means a match winning total going by recent history.

South Africa started out like it would be a walk in the park. Smith and de Villiers put 160 runs for the opening partnership, motoring along at 8 per over. When Bracken was smashed for 10 in one over, McGrath came in to settle things down and had his first 3 deliveries struck to the boundary. It was Wanderers all over again. It took an incredible direct hit from Shane Watson out on the boundary to run out de Villiers and break the partnership. The momentum was further stilled when Graeme Smith cramped up and had to leave the field. Things went pear shaped from there and the Australian bowling, much maligned over past months (myself included), mopped up the batting with ruthless efficiency. The last 8 wickets fell for 74 runs, the poles were struck 4 times (and Kallis' nads struck once by a Shaun Tait lightning bolt - bad luck, Jacques!)

It was a huge victory - not so much the run difference as the psychological blow to South Africa and boost to Australia. I've been liking Sri Lanka a lot (especially after they just effectively knocked India out of the World Cup) and New Zealand are always a dark horse at these events (I wouldn't worry about England, they're just filling out the numbers). But Australia have got their groove back at exactly the right time and we head into the Super 8's with confidence (please don't tell me I'm jinxing them).

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Posted by JC on Sun 25 Mar

5 comments

What a game!! With all the controversy thats hitting the world cup at the moment, it was fantastic to see a good all round game. And Matty Haydens century was magic....Not being able to sleep has finally paid off!!

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Posted by okbl on 2007-03-25 15:20:27

When chasing a huge total like that, everything must go according to plan; you just can't afford a single hiccup (?) in the innings. Sometimes it happens (SA and NZ versus us recently) but more often it doesn't.
Interesting story I read about the Irish today. They've run out of money. Apparently they didn't expect to proceed past the first stage and need funds for an extra four weeks! The players are
mostly amateurs. Fortunately the Irish Government is to come to the rescue.

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Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-03-25 15:56:00

I think that the Aussies made a statement. "The real Number One please stand Up". The ICC ranking apart they have done themselves a lot of good with an eemphatic win over South Africa. I also see a Sri Lanka and Australia Final again.
Smart Alec

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Posted by Smart Alec on 2007-03-25 19:02:53

As far as I am concerned, no matter who wins the Cup, the Irish made this a tournament to remember. They are the only bright spots currently in world cricket. It is refreshing to see a team full of such enthusiasm and energy when all the other teams are bickering about something or the other.

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Posted by jethro on 2007-03-26 00:04:19

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