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ICC World Cup 2019: David Warner heroics in vain for Australia as defeat sets up England semi-final
David Warner smashed a brilliant 122 but could not claim victory for Australia as they slipped to a 10-run defeat to South Africa in their Cricket World Cup clash at Old Trafford on Saturday, leaving them facing a semi-final against England.
Australia will face fierce rival England in the Cricket World Cup semifinals after slipping from the top of the group standings with a last-over, 10-run loss to South Africa despite David Warner’s latest century.
Faf du Plessis’ 93-ball 100 underpinned South Africa’s 325-6 in Manchester, and two pieces of magic from wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock — a cheeky run-out and a leaping, one-handed catch — left the Australians struggling on 119-4, with batsman Usman Khawaja also retired hurt.
David Warner (122) and Alex Carey (85 off 69 balls) put on 108 for the fifth wicket, but neither could see Australia home as shadows lengthened on the field in the day-nighter at Old Trafford.
Khawaja, with his injured left hamstring, came out to bat at the death but didn’t last long and Australia needed 18 to win off the last over.
READ: World Cup 2019: High five for Rohit Sharma, India crush Sri Lanka
Nathan Lyon was caught in the deep off the next-to-last ball.
Instead of finishing in first place and playing trans-Tasman neighbor New Zealand back in Manchester in the first semifinal on Tuesday, Australia must travel south to Birmingham to play the tournament host two days later.
It’s another huge England-Australia match in a summer that will conclude with the Ashes series. Either England, which went into the tournament as the world’s top-ranked ODI side, or defending champion Australia will be eliminated.
India will take on New Zealand in the other semifinal.
