Cricket World Cup 2023: South Africa thrash Australia by 134 runs

Chasing a target of 312, Australia were bowled out for just 177 in 40.5 overs.

Marnus Labuschagne was the top scorer for Australia with 46 off 74 balls.

Kagiso Rabada picked three wickets conceding 33 runs in eight overs for South Africa. Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Marco Jansen picked two wickets each while Lungi Ngidi clinched one.

Quinton de Kock's century helped South Africa to compile a massive total of 311/7 against Australia.

De Kock brought his century in 99 balls, clobbering five sixes alongside 8 boundaries, before Glenn Maxwell dismissed him on 109. This was his second ton of the tournament, catapulting him ahead of Mohammad Rizwan as tournament's highest run-getter.

While De Kock has scored 209 at an average of 104.50, Rizwan has 199 in his kitty as of now.

Aiden Markram, on the other hand, was flamboyant ensuring that the pace did not slacken in the middle overs. Both De Kock and Markram looked ominous, with South Africa poised to go past the 350 runs mark, but Maxwell brought Australia back by scripting a mini fightback, drying up quick runs.

The off-spinner finished with 2/34 from his stipulated overs, including a maiden, going all the way through his spell without conceding a boundary.

Maxwell claimed both openers in his effort, while spin partner Adam Zampa ended the stay of Rassie van der Dussen for just 26.

Dussen crossed 2,000 runs in ODI cricket in just 45 innings, only bettered by countryman Hashim Amla (40). The right-hander was caught by Sean Abbott at long-on after Dussen tried to slog Adam Zampa.

South Africa could have lost another wicket, but were lucky as Pat Cummins failed to grab a routine chance offered by Aiden Markram off his bowling.

De Kock carried on, and reached his 19th ODI century in the 30th over with a six off Cummins.

Cummins opted to bowl first, and Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc backed their skipper's decision with extraordinary bowling.

Temba Bavuma survived some close calls, but South Africa stepped up. De Kock reached his 31st ODI half-century in the 16th over. Soon after the drinks break, De Kock hammered two boundaries to bring the partnership close to 100.

After the introduction of Maxwell, Australia brought down the scoring rate with disciplined bowling. The Aussie allrounder gave the first breakthrough, picking up Bavuma for 35 while going for a big shot.

Despite this, De Kock continued to bat with assertion, and smoked two consecutive sixes of Hazlewood in the 23rd over.

Cummins brought in Marcus Stoinis after the Australian allrounder was out of action for almost three weeks. He replaced Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis came in the place of wicket-keeper Alex Carey.

For South Africa, Tabraiz Shamsi came in place of Gerald Coetzee.

Both teams have had contrasting starts to their World Cup campaign. While Australia struggled on a tough track in Chennai and lost to India, South Africa dominated on a flat deck in Delhi to win against Sri Lanka.