South Africa bat first against Australia under murky sky with rain threat looming | World Cup 2023 semi-final

South Africa have elected to bat first under a gloomy sky in the second semi-final of the World Cup 2023 with a solitary change to their line-up, while Australia have named two changes.

After battling a hamstring strain in the build-up to the important clash, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma made the playing XI. At the toss, he announced spinner Tabraiz Shamsi as the only replacement for pacer Lungi Ngidi. South Africa entered the match as the second-placed team in the group stage with seven wins from nine matches. Their explosive batting order has been one of the talking points of the tournament and, having never won a men’s World Cup semi-final, they will be hoping to break that unwanted record.

For Australia, Glenn Maxwell, who was rested for the previous inconsequential match against Bangladesh after scoring an all-time double-hundred against Afghanistan, has returned to the line-up in place of Marcus Stoinis. Mitchell Starc has also come infor Sean Abbott as the second change to the XI. After stuttering early, Australia won their last seven matches to seal a semi-final berth as the third-placed side on the points table.

Despite the overcast conditions in Kolkata and a drizzle, play started on time as Australia made early inroads, sending openers Quinton de Kock (3 off 14) and Temba Bavuma (0) cheaply.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins (c),  Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

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