Australia National Cricket Team captain Pat Cummins produced a stunning catch to dismiss South Africa National Cricket Team opening batsman Quinton de Kock in the second semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The high-stakes match is currently being played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, November 16. The winner of this crucial encounter will face the India National Cricket Team in the final of the prestigious tournament.
South Africa, having won the toss, opted to bat first. However, this decision proved to be a costly one for the side as both their openers, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock, were dismissed for low scores. Bavuma was sent back to the pavilion for a duck in the very first over, while De Kock’s short stay at the crease was ended by Josh Hazlewood in the 6th over.
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De Kock, aiming to hit a length delivery straight down the ground, mistimed his shot, sending the ball high into the air. Cummins, positioned at mid-on, backpedaled swiftly and completed a spectacular catch to leave the Proteas reeling at 8/2. This dismissal further compounded De Kock’s woes, as he managed a mere 3 runs off 14 balls.
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Hazlewood’s dismissal of De Kock marked the 8th time he has sent the South African opener packing in ODI cricket. Hazlewood’s impressive record against De Kock makes him the bowler to have dismissed the Proteas opener the most times in the history of 50-over cricket.
Speaking at the toss, Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, expressed his preference for batting first but remained hopeful of exploiting swing early on in the innings. Cummins stated, “We would have batted first as well. But it is overcast and hopefully, there’s some swing early on. They play pretty similar style, unfortunately they have won a last few, we are due.”
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He added, “We have been in these positions before. We have a lot of experience. We were not up to our best in those couple of games. But guys have been positive in the last seven games. Two changes for us. Stoinis and Abbott are out. Maxwell and Starc are in.”
