Australia won their last seven group stage matches, including a 33-run success over holders England, and have earned the right to face South Africa in the tournament's second semi-final.
However, the Baggy Greens finished third in the standings and were not quite able to overhaul second-placed South Africa, who won seven of nine matches but finished with a superior net run rate.
South Africa were 134-run winners over Australia in the second round of group stage matches, but Pat Cummins’s side have responded superbly and are favourites to triumph in their knockout clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Australia to win
- David Warner to score a half-century
- Adam Zampa top Australia wicket-taker
Serial Winners Can Reach Another Final
Australia made a poor start to the 2023 World Cup, losing their opening two matches, but they have grown into the tournament and can make it eight wins from eight by defeating South Africa in Kolkata.
No other nation can get close to Australia’s record of cricket World Cup excellence.
The Baggy Greens have competed in seven finals, winning five of them, and had won seven successive semi-finals until an eight-wicket loss to England at Edgbaston in July 2019.
Pat Cummins’s side looked in big trouble after losing their opening two World Cup matches but they have turned things around and approach the semis with plenty of confidence after wrapping up the group stage with an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Pune.
South Africa have had a largely strong tournament marred by a couple of really poor performances.
They were bowled out for 207 by the Netherlands, resulting in a 38-run loss, and were dismissed for just 83 in a mammoth 243-run loss to India.
At their best, the Proteas have looked like a very good side with Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aidan Markram making some big runs and seamers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada delivering a string of fine performances with the ball.
However, they are up against a talented, mentally tough Australian team and may fall short in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
Warner Can Lead The Way
Australia have plenty of big hitters throughout their batting line-up, but opening batter David Warner has been the steadying influence and his quality and calmness could be crucial against South Africa.
Many top-order batters at the 2023 World Cup have struggled to cope with South Africa’s talented pace trio of Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada.
Even Warner failed in the group stage match against South Africa, making just 13 before poorly executing a drive off a full-length ball from Ngidi.
However, the 37-year-old has responded superbly and approaches the semi-final with an average of 55.44 from nine matches played.
Warner has passed 50 in four of his last six innings and looks a solid bet to register a half-century at Eden Gardens.
DAVID WARNER TO SCORE A HALF CENTURY
Zampa leading the bowling charts
Zampa Can Leave Proteas In A Spin
Adam Zampa was the top World Cup wicket-taker after the group stage with 22 dismissals and he could have a key role to play in the semi-final.
South Africa’s batters prefer to make a steady start and accelerate through the middle of the innings.
However, Zampa’s variations make him difficult to attack and could allow him to add a few more wickets to his considerable tally.
ADAM ZAMPA TOP AUSTRALIA WICKET TAKER
