Australia seal World Cup final spot after nervy win over South Africa

Baggy Greens will take on hosts India in Sunday's title match after three-wicket victory at Eden Gardens

KOLKATA, INDIA - NOVEMBER 16: Australia's Mitchell Starc and Australia's captain Pat Cummins celebrate their team's win over South Africa during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 semi final match between South Africa and Australia at Eden Gardens on November 16, 2023 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia / Gallo Images / Getty Images)

Australia batter Glenn Maxwell is out for one after being clean bowled by South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi. Reuters

South Africa's Tabraiz Shamshi celebrates the wicket of Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne for 18. AFP

Australia's Travis Head is bowled by Keshav Maharaj. Getty Images

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, front right, celebrates after Australia batter Mitchell Marsh was out for a duck. AFP

Australia opener David Warner is bowled by Aiden Markram after scoring 29 off 18 balls. Getty Images

Australia opener Travis Head hits out on his way to 62 off 48 balls. Getty Images

South Africa's David Miller celebrates after reaching his century. The Proteas were all out for 212. Reuters

Australia's Steve Smith catches out South Africa batter Keshav Maharaj for four. Getty Images

South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen is bowled by Travis Head of Australia for 47. Getty Images

Australia captain Pat Cummins takes the catch to dismiss South Africa's Quinton de Kock for three. AFP

Heinrich Klaasen scored 47 off 48 balls for South Africa. AFP

Australia bowler Mitchell Starc celebrates the wicket of South Africa's Aiden Markram who was out for 10. AP

South Africa's David Miller plays a shot on his way to 101. AFP

Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates after taking the catch to dismiss South Africa batter Quinton de Kock. AFP

Australia will face hosts India in Sunday's World Cup final after a nervy last-four victory over South Africa in Kolkata.

The match at Eden Gardens on Thursday looked set for a quick finish after South Africa were bowled out for 212 with David Miller's defiant 101 the saving grace for the Proteas.

Australia then surged to 60 without loss after six overs as Travis Head and David Warner flew out of the blocks with the Baggy Greens looking set for an easy victory.

But once Aiden Markram bowled Warner for 29, the wickets fell regularly with only Head (62) reaching his half-century as the five-time champions suffered a mid-innings wobble.

South Africa did not let any big partnerships bloom but Australia eventually reached the target with 16 balls to spare with Steve Smith (30) and Jos Inglis (28) providing useful cameos.

Captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc saw their team over the line and they will now face India in Ahmedabad after the hosts defeated New Zealand in their last-four clash on Wednesday.

“It's hard to unpack all of that. I didn't move for the past couple of hours,” said player of the match Head, who also claimed two wickets in two balls to remove Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen. “It was a tense finish and an amazing game.

“We knew how it was going to play and how we would adapt. You train, go to bed and think about it. I think the pitches have been unbelievable. We knew it would be a grind and a battle and that's what it was.

“After the broken hand I thought I wasn't going to be here. I just want to contribute for Australia and will have another chance in a couple of days.”

Head's wicket of Klaasen (47 from 48 balls) was particularly important as he had begun to form a dangerous partnership with Miller. “I was under the pump and somehow that got through him,” said the part-time spinner. “I'm always keen to have a bowl.”

Earlier, Temba Bavuma's decision to bat under an overcast sky backfired and South Africa slumped to 24-4 inside 12 overs before light rain held up play.

Miller and Klaasen arrested the slide after play resumed with a 95-run partnership but Head's double strike put Australia back in charge.

A big six off Cummins brought up Miller his ton but he fell in the same over trying to clear the rope again. His 101 came off 116 balls, containing eight fours and five sixes.

Starc (3-34) and Cummins (3-51) finished with six wickets between them while Josh Hazlewood (2-12) and Head (3-34) claimed the rest.

“It's quite hard to put into words. Congratulations to Australia,” said Bavuma. “They were outstanding for a large part of the day.

“Our character came through. We showed the resilience we talk about and a bit of dogfight. The way we started with the bat and ball was the turning point, we always had to play catch-up.

“The conditions combined with the quality of the Australia attack. They were ruthless and exploited every bit of advantage, and really put us under pressure. From 24-4, it was always going to be hard to get a competitive total.”