Live Cricket Score: Australia vs South Africa, 2nd semifinal, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Catch the live updates and highlights of the second semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 between Australia and South Africa at Eden Gardens Kolkata.

So, it's a repeat of the 2003 WC final schedule

India and Australia will face-off on Sunday (19th November), 20 years after the two teams famously squared up in Johannesburg. A lot has changed during these two decades and you could even say the roles are reversed. India look unstoppable and dominant, and go into the game as favourites. However, Australia are on an eight-match winning streak and look red-hot as well. Sets up for a mouth-watering finale. See you there!

What a game of cricket!

It turned out to be a much closer game than it seemed to be in the first ten overs of the Aussie innings. Travis Head's blitzkrieg meant that 74 came in the first powerplay and that was a massive phase won by Australia when you look at how close the game went eventually. Once South Africa's spinners came on, there was evidently a lot of help for them and Australia did crumble a bit through the middle overs. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals but the lack of run rate pressure is what probably allowed Australia to be marginally ahead all the time. Maharaj and Shamsi did their bit while Coetzee tried hard later on but South Africa just didn't have the rub of the green go their way. Several edges landed just short while a few catches were also dropped. They were also about 20-30 runs short of a par score and will reflect on their batting disaster earlier in the day. They did make a match of this after being 24/4 but 212 was never going to be a threatening total and so it proved.

Starc, Cummins see Australia through

It just needed a calm head for Australia to get across the line with enough time left. Cummins and Starc do just that as the pair calmly shepherd Australia into the World Cup final. A nervy finish and yet another World Cup heartbreak for South Africa.

Coetzee gets rid of Inglis

South Africa continue to hang on as Coetzee's determined spell fetches him a big wicket. Once again, the short ball ploy and he goes for the bluff with a searing yorker. Inglis is stuck on the crease and gets cleaned up. A ray of hope for South Africa although the runs required have come down significantly.

Smith falls to an unusual shot

You don't expect Smith to play a hoick across the line to a very wide ball with his team under pressure but that's exactly what he does to Coetzee. Field was set for the short ball and Smith was probably expecting that but this is a widish length ball that he looks to hoick without any footwork. Big top-edge and de Kock dives forward to take the skier. Is there a twist in the tale?

Smith-Inglis steady the chase

Australia get a much-needed little partnership as their crisis man Smith finds good support from Inglis as the duo go about braving South Africa's spin threats. Both batters have looked a touch nervy but importantly, have batted with patience.

Shamsi double strike brings the game alive

It seemed like Smith and Labuschagne would slowly take the game away but the latter falls LBW to a reverse sweep against Shamsi. The wrist spinner then cleans up Maxwell soon after and it's suddenly, game on at the Eden Gardens.

Maharaj strikes first ball

Puzzling that it took so long to bring him on and South Africa's senior spinner has struck straightaway by castling Head. Is it too late?

Fifty for Head

He has lived dangerously but his counterattack has almost killed the chase here. Some adventurous strokes and also survived a dropped chance but there have been so many belligerent strokes as well.

A blinder of a catch from Rassie!!

Marsh can barely believe it as his flashing cut seemed like it would bullet past the infield but van der Dussen dives across to his left to pluck an unbelievable catch. Out of nowhere, two quick wickets and South Africa have some hope here.

Markram provides some respite for SA

A much-needed breakthrough for the Proteas as Warner is cleaned up by Markram in his very first over. Might just be the breathing space South Africa needs but they need more wickets as Australia bat deep and the target isn't a lot from here.

Australia come out all guns blazing

Not a surprise, is it? The Aussies love to take the game head on in the first ten overs and they're doing just that. The 50 is up in no time and South Africa are under severe pressure here. Jansen hasn't found his radar right, Rabada is getting a pasting and the boundaries are flowing here at Eden Gardens. Australia clearly want to break the chase open in these ten overs.

South Africa end with 212

A clearly under-par total but they at least have something respectable on the board. And that's thanks to a sensational century from David Miller who fought through crisis and bailed the side out from embarrassing levels. After opting to bat, South Africa were 24/4 with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood breathing fire. The overcast conditions and moisture in the pitch helped them as they delivered relentless spells with the new ball. Heinrich Klaasen did give support to Miller for a while and a proper recovery seemed on the cards. But Travis Head in his very first over removed Klaasen and then got Marco Jansen next ball to derail the innings. Miller kept fighting and got to a fine hundred with some support from Gerald Coetzee but South Africa were always going to fall well short of a par total. Australia's quicks shared eight wickets between them as they put South Africa under pressure from the get-go.

Cummins ends Miller's masterclass

After getting to his century with a six, Miller looks to repeat the dose but Cummins delivers a slower bouncer that just about forces a mishit. Taken sharply near the ropes.

Century for Killer Miller

What a knock under pressure! Came in at 24/4 and has ensured that South Africa weren't rolled over for a paltry total. Bided his time early on and took on his matchups wisely.

Captain Cummins breaks the partnership

A nasty short ball from the Aussie skipper is too hot to handle for Coetzee who seemed to have gloved it down the leg-side. There was a discussion between the batters for a review before Coetzee walked off. Guess what, that came off the shoulder. Why didn't they review it? Miller wasn't sure and so was Coetzee.

Miller-Coetzee stitch useful stand

Coetzee gives good support to Miller who continues to be the lone hope for South Africa to get a respectable score. The pitch has started to spin and grip a lot more than earlier, so South Africa aren't out of this just yet. But Australia continue to hold the aces.

Head to the rescue for Australia

Just when it seemed like South Africa were gaining momentum, an inspired bowling change breaks the partnership. Travis Head comes on and cleans up Heinrich Klaasen, then has Marco Jansen LBW the very next ball to undo all of South Africa's progress.

50-run stand between Miller and Klaasen

A much-needed partnership for South Africa as they try to fight their way back into this contest. The surface also has seemed to ease a bit since the rain delay although there is still a hint of help for bowlers.

Miller vs Zampa

It is a matchup that could be massive in the context of how the rest of SA's innings pans out. The left-hander has dealt the opening punches with a couple of sixes over mid-wicket. Australia won't mind this as one more wicket here gives them a crack at the lower order.

Good news folks!

Rain has stopped and the covers have come off as well. We have a restart time. Play will resume at 15.55 local time with no overs lost.

Rain arrives....

Forecast isn't as bad today as it is for tomorrow but for now, it is raining at the Eden Gardens. Doesn't look like a threatening shower and should pass away soon.

van der Dussen departs as SA slip further

Australia continue to chip away at the wickets. van der Dussen's patience finally runs out as he nicks one to second slip off Hazlewood.

Starc has another

Australia are all over South Africa here at the Eden Gardens. Another dismissal that shows the sticky nature of this pitch as Markram is opened up on the drive. Thick edge that's taken sharply at backward point by Warner.

De Kock falls cheaply

Josh Hazlewood takes out South Africa's most in-form batter who gets a big top-edge. Extra bounce and the skier is taken very well by Pat Cummins at mid-on.

Early blow for South Africa

South African captain Temba Bavuma departs for a duck, caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Starc in the very first over! Not the ideal start for South Africa, but South Africa's batting line-up is a long one! van der Dussen arrives, and Australia are being Australia in knockouts - breathing fire already.

Playing XIs:

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

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

TOSS: South Africa win the toss and elect to bat first

Team Changes!Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc come in for Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott for Australia. As for the South Africans, Tabraiz Shamsi replaces Lungi Ngidi.

A classic, rebooted

1999. A tied semi-final. 2007. More heartbreak for South Africa. The chokers' tag. The sandpaper series. Australia and South Africa is one of the more underrated rivalries of the sport. With similar conditions in those parts of the world, with bounce and seam, they grow up with similar techniques, and give each other a run for their money. A testament to this is the number of times South Africa win Test series in Australia - AND vice versa.

With so much history, and technical backing, it's a criminally underrated rivalry. It is only fitting now, that the two face off to play an almost unbeatable India in the final. And for once, Australia aren't the out and out favourites. South Africa have the higher position on the points table, and have been one of two teams to beat Australia in the league stages - the other being India. India vs X. What will X turn out to be by the end of tonight?