CWC 2023: Australia to take on South Africa in semi final 2

Glenn Maxwell’s heroics against Afghanistan guaranteed Australia’s spot in the semi final. It also made the picture on the table a lot more clear. India had already sealed the top spot after their victory over South Africa as they remain unbeaten so far and all the other teams have lost at least two of their encounters. Australia and South Africa would be occupying the second and third position on the table although who would finish second and who would finish third is yet to be determined. Both the teams would have a minimum of a two point lead over the other teams lagging behind them in the points table at the end of the group stages. This would mean that the two teams would face off in the second semi final on November 16th. 

The two teams have faced off in the semi final of an ICC ODI World Cup on two previous occasions. In 1999, South Africa suffered a heartbreaking exit from the tournament after a tie with Australia in the semi final. Australia had finished ahead of South Africa in the super six stages which ensured they reached the final. The concept of super overs had not been introduced back then. In 2007 however, Australia cruised through in a rather one-sided affair with more than a hundred balls to spare.