Cricket World Cup 2023: Quinton de Kock ton sets South Africa up for big win over Australia

South Africa crushed Australia by 134 runs at the Cricket World Cup in Lucknow.

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl, but from that moment it went downhill for Pat Cummins’ side.

Quinton de Kock hit a century at better than a run a ball as South Africa posted 311 for 7.

Australia’s chase never got started, as a flurry of wickets stopped them in their tracks and they were bowled out for 177.

Cummins was in two minds as to whether to bat or bowl, and they were indecisive in their decision making in the field.

De Kock and Temba Bavuma (35) put on a century opening stand, aided by some sloppy Australia fielding.

Rassie van der Dussen (26) and Aiden Markram (56) gave support to De Kock, who toyed with the bowling at times in his 109.

Mitchell Starc took a couple of wickets, finishing off with a wicket-maiden, as Australia pegged South Africa back late in their innings.

Australia’s reply got off to a slow start, and Mitchell Marsh (7) fell to Marco Jansen when playing his first attacking shot of note.

David Warner could never find his timing and picked out Van der Dussen off Lungi Ngidi to bring an end to a tortuous 13 off 27 balls.

Kagiso Rabada found impressive movement, as he trapped Steve Smith (19) lbw and knocked over Josh Inglis’ (5) off stump.

Glenn Maxwell (3) found himself at the crease far earlier than Australia tend to plan for, and he looked tentative before falling caught and bowled to Keshav Maharaj.

Marcus Stoinis (5), who dropped a catch that professionals should never do while in the field, saw his day summed up when he was caught down the leg side by De Kock off Rabada.

There was no doubt Stoinis gloved the ball, but there was doubt as to whether his hand was in contact with the bat at the point of impact - but there was no reprieve.

At 70 for 6, Marnus Labuschagne (46) and Starc (27) set about a face-saving exercise, as they guided Australia past three figures.

The exits of Labuschagne and Starc in quick succession prompted Cummins to put bat to ball, and he hit four bounaries in a 21-ball 22 before falling to the spin of Tabraiz Shamsi.

Shamsi wrapped up the innings as South Africa completed an excellent victory inside 41 overs.

With two defeats from as many matches, Australia have their backs to the wall and will need a response when they face Sri Lanka on Monday.

For Bavuma’s South Africa, it is two wins from two, and they will look to continue that momentum against Netherlands on Tuesday.

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