South Africa vs Australia, 10th Match at Lucknow, World Cup 2023, Oct 12 2023 - Match Result

9.52pm So, it's played two won two for South Africa, who are top of the pile on NRR after a pair of crushing displays against Sri Lanka and Australia, +2.36 to lead a cast of four teams with 100 percent records. It's a brilliant, composed start to a below-the-radar campaign, and with the Netherlands next up, they'll surely believe that can only get better before England swim into their sights in what already promises to be a gripping encounter in Mumbai next Saturday.

As for Australia, they are looking down the barrel already. Minus 1.85 NRR, and only Afghanistan below them, whom they don't play until the penultimate round of the group stage. Next up, a must-win against Sri Lanka, whose batting at least has looked ten times as proactive as this line-up. Troubling times for the serial world champions. From Miller, Shashwat, Chandan et al, thanks for joining us, see you tomorrow for Bangladesh-New Zealand!

9.45pm Time to hear from the captains. First up, Pat Cummins: "Quinny batted really well, from where they were we were happy with 310, we felt it was chaseable. It looked like hard work out there at night, zipped around now, but we were well off the mark. If we want to be challenging for this tournament you've got to adapt to all conditions. Not much needs to be said tonight, everyone's hurting. Got a few days until the next one here, so we'll try to make amends. A few things to tidy up."

Temba Bavuma "311 was a couple over par, 290-300 was par, glad to lose to the toss cos things worked out in our favour. I was scratching around so Quinton needs to be credited a lot. I'd be really greedy if I said there were areas to improve, a near-perfect game with the bat, and with the ball, looking at all the phases, the guys dominated and showed their skills. Got to acknowledge the batting effort, being over-par, and we were clinical with the new ball, then KG following up with intensity, then the spinners. Character is the biggest thing we talk about, and we showed it today. Let's enjoy the individual performances, then come back tomorrow and find ways to get better and better as a team."

9.40pm Quinton de Kock is Player of the Match: "A great win for the boys, assessed conditions well, played accordingly, stuck to our strengths and came out on top. They were potent up front, so we assessed our scoring options. Definitely thought it was above-par, seen from the Lucknow team it gets harder at night and it did prove that. It was sweaty and humid, but the bowlers bowled with intensity, didn't give them a sniff up front. We are pretty pleased with ourselves, but only two games in, anything can happen, and quickly, won't get too high, just take it game by game."

Prashant: "From 1992 to 2015, South Africa was almost always considered on paper the team to beat, always packed with top players, but never completely matched the hype and gained a 'choker' tag. This world cup, it did not feature in top 4 teams of many, but might end up surprising all by not only being in top 4, but even ending up as a winner or a runner up." Indeed, they are happily under the radar, and seem all the happier for the lack of expectation going in... right now, they are high-fliers.

9:34pm South Africa have given Australia a real pasting and a proper hiding. The margin of defeat, in fact, could have been much greater had Labuschagne and Starc not mustered a 69-run partnership. That was about it from an Australian batting perspective, and that sort of sums up what was a dire batting display overall.

As inept as Australia looked with the bat, credit must be given to how South Africa bowled, especially when the ball was darting around. Jansen and Ngidi picked up a powerplay wicket each before Rabada ran through Australia's middle order, scalping Smith, Inglis and Stoinis - although two of them involved some contentious calls.

The spinners then did the rest, rarely allowing Australia the luxury to break free. Maharaj bagged a wicket, with Shamsi eventually closing out the game. South Africa now have two wins out of two, and they are looking a very well-oiled unit.

Slip in place

Hazlewood in at 11, with Australia needing 137 more for victory...

40 overs up. Australia need 138 off 60 balls. For what it is worth, South Africa can now have five fielders outside the circle.

AiyoPol: "Cummins, back in India - would love to see him conjure up another 14 ball 50" -- That might get Australia close, but perhaps still not enough to win this game...