ICC World Cup 2023 - Mitchell Starc credits 'amazing' Hazlewood for Australia's powerplay dominance - LSB

Australia’s new bowling in unexpectedly advantageous conditions, and the opening batting, made the difference in a tense semi-final. Mitchell Starc, who took the first wicket of the match, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 34, said this, having also been in the middle when the winning runs were hit.

Although it was a tough tournament for the Starc bowler, he and Josh Hazlewood reduced the South African top order to 24 for 4 in the first 12 overs, taking five wickets between them. Although the match would include many dramatic moments later, this period was probably the most decisive.

“I think our strong play was probably what got us on our way,” Stark said. “There were other important moments during the day with the bat and the ball, but starting the match like that with Joshi and I was great. Powerplay points were probably not our strong option during the tournament, so it’s good to have a strong play of what, 2 for 18 or something Like that. The way Josh bowled throughout to finish with two for 12 (from eight overs) was amazing.

“Looking at Josh’s pitch map – that’s what he does so well in the Test bowling match. He was unbelievable today and the way we ran with each other to get that intensity that we did, and carry some momentum into the middle of the pitch is how we were able to achieve that.” I want to start matches. So it was nice to do that in a big match.”

In the league match played by these teams, Quinton de Kock had made a century in the opener, and South Africa had scored 311 for 7, with Aiden Markram also adding a quick fifty. However, neither de Kock nor Markram were able to make a serious impact with the racket in the semi-final.

“We know that South Africa are very strong in defense if they have wickets in hand, and if we can get David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen in early or within the first 20 overs, we are well on our way. “It made it more difficult for them in Block the ball from behind. So, things went as planned with the ball today.”

With the bat later, Australia raced to 60 in six overs, with David Warner hitting 29 off 18 balls, and Travis Head going on to make 62 off 48, with Australia chasing 213.

“I think it was not just the way Trav and Davy batted that put the pressure right on South Africa there in the first 10 overs. We saw throughout the tournament how difficult the first 10 overs were at certain times of the day, with new, powerful balls. “When you are prepared to go into the game like that and sometimes you have a bit of luck, but the players were fantastic in that opening partnership.”

The head innings in particular ensured that Australia made 106 runs – nearly half the runs required – in the first 14 overs. South Africa’s spinners then took wickets and made the game tight, but Australia’s middle and lower orders had little to do.

“Then Trav lasted a little longer and was probably looking a little ominous there to not go further — closer to 100,” Stark said. “We definitely took some pressure off early with the way the guys started. Those runs were much needed with the way we saw the back end of the game. We gave ourselves some extra time so we wouldn’t have to try as hard at the end.”