South African star batter David Miller scripted history on Thursday as he became the first Proteas batter to smash a century in an ICC ODI World Cup 2023 knockout fixture. Miller achieved this remarkable feat during the AUS vs SA semifinal 2 of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens.
It all started when Miller came to bat at 24-4 & steadied South Africa’s ship by registering a massive ton facing Australia’s fierce pace attack. He returned with a score of 101 runs in 116 balls in an inning embellished with eight fours & five sixes at a stellar strike rate of over 87. This has overtaken Du Plessis 82 82-run knock against Black Caps in the ODI World Cup 2015 semifinal which was the best score by a South African in World Cup knockouts to date.
Miller’s century is the only third ton by a South African in an ICC knockout match. Earlier, Herschelle Gibbs scored an unbeaten 116 against India in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2002. Jacques Kallis also made 113* against Sri Lanka in the semifinal of the 1998 Champions Trophy. But it’s Miller who took the cherry by smashing a ton in the World Cup knockout clash. Miller has overtaken Kallis to become South Africa’s second-highest six-hitter in the ODI format with 138 sixes in his kitty. The highest ODI sixes by a South African batter is by AB de Villiers, who has 200 sixes in the 50-over format.
Besides Glenn Maxwell, Miller is the only batter who comes at No 5 or below that & has more than two centuries in World Cup history. Miller has scored two centuries in his entire World Cup history. In these 10 World Cup fixtures, Miller has scored 356 runs at an average of 44.50. In the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, Miller has a ton & a fifty registered on his name with his best score being 101 runs at a strike of over 107.
AUS vs SA Semifinal 2: Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets
The fixture began with South Africa winning the toss & opting to bat first. But they didn’t get to an ideal start as they lost De Kock (3), Bavuma (0), & Dussen (6) cheaply reducing South Africa to 24-4. Then came Klaasen (47) & Miller (101) who stitched a rewarding stand to steady South Africa’s submerging innings. They helped South Africa to come back on track & post a mammoth 200 runs total on board. South Africa was wrapped up for 212 runs in just 49.4 overs. Mitchell Starc (3/34) and skipper Pat Cummins (3/51) were the top wicket-takers for Australia. Josh Hazlewood (2/12) and Travis Head (2/21) also bowled well for Aussies.
In reply, Travis Head (62) & Warner(29) gave Australia a stellar start but after their dismissals, there was a collapse for Australia as their middle-order batters couldn’t get going with the willow & couldn’t convert the starts into good scores. But thanks to lower-order batters Australia managed to chase the target within 47 overs. Proteas showed great grit with the ball as they fought till the end but again it was luck that didn’t help them & resulted in their loss. For Porteas Coetzee (2-47) & Shamsi (2-42) starred with the ball. Coetzee held his nerves till the last over & tried to remove set batters in order to fulfill South Africa’s dream of marching into the finals, but again destiny had some other plans as Australia scored run a ball & easily chased the target within 48 overs. Now it will be Australia vs India in the ODI World Cup 2023 Finals.
Also read, Emotional Scenes in India’s Dressing Room after Semifinal
