Australia and South Africa are gearing up for a decisive encounter in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final, scheduled for Thursday, November 16, at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.
Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, Australia secured the 3rd position in the points table, winning 7 out of 9 matches in the first round. Their recent dominance includes a convincing 8-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Despite a shaky start with two initial losses, Australia has triumphed in 7 consecutive matches.
Led by Temba Bavuma, South Africa claimed the 2nd spot in the points table after the league stage, winning 7 out of 9 matches. In their last game, South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets. Both teams exhibited remarkable performances in batting and bowling during the league stage.
Australia’s only losses in the ICC World Cup 2023 were against India and South Africa. South Africa, on the other hand, faced defeats from India and Netherlands. The victors of the Australia vs South Africa clash will secure a coveted spot in the final vs India.
Scheduled at 2 PM IST, the Australia vs South Africa semi-final 2 will unfold at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. However, the Weather Report from weather.com indicates potential disruptions, with a 33% chance of rain during the day and a 56% chance at night. The temperature is expected to be 27°C during the day and 23°C at night, with cloudy skies. Humidity levels are forecasted to be 77% during the day, rising to 94% at night.
Eden Gardens Stadium is recognized as a high-scoring ground, with an average 1st innings total of 244 and 2nd innings total of 199 in ODIs. The stadium has hosted 39 ODIs, with teams batting first winning 23 and teams batting second winning 15. The highest-ever team total at the venue is 404/5 by India. The pitch at Eden Gardens is considered favorable for batting, providing an opportunity for both batsmen and spinners to make an impact.
