World Cup 2023: SA thump Aussies by 134 runs

South Africa registered a thumping win against the five-time champ Australia by 134 runs in the match played at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India on Thursday.

Proteas had made 311-7 after Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to field first against South Africa.

While chasing a 312-run target, Australia kept losing wickets on a regular basis as South Africa’s fast bowlers ripped through their top order. And the whole team was dismissed for 177 with 55 balls to spare.

Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi sent back openers Mitchell Marsh (seven) and David Warner (13) before Kagiso Rabada took three quick wickets.

Rabada had Steve Smith lbw controversially on review for 19, clean-bowled Josh Inglis for five, and Marcus Stoinis smartly caught down the legside by wicketkeeper De Kock, also for five.

While batting first, Quinton De Kock reached his 19th ODI hundred off 90 balls with eight fours and five sixes. He also scored a century in South Africa’s opening win over Sri Lanka.

Australia had a bad day on the field as they dropped five catches.

Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Marcus Stoinis all dropped a catch each!

For South Africa, it was the second win in two games while Australia has lost both of their matches.

The last time Australia lost their first two World Cup matches was in 1992.