- Australia and South Africa replicated a famous piece of cricket historyÂ
- South Africa set the Aussies a target of 213 runs in the World Cup semi-finalÂ
- That number was made famous by the two sides in the 1999 competitionÂ
By Ollie Lewis For Daily Mail Australia
Published: | Updated:
Australia bowled out South Africa for a below-par 212 despite David Miller’s defiant 101 in the second semi-final of the 50-over World Cup at Eden Gardens on Thursday.
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.
Australia were accurate with the ball and agile in the field, turning up the heat on their rivals.
Miller and Heinrich Klaasen (47) arrested the slide after play resumed with a 95-run partnership but Travis Head’s double strike put Australia back in charge.
Miller smashed Pat Cummins for a six to bring up his hundred but fell in the same over trying to clear the rope again.
Cummins and Mitchell Starc claimed three wickets apiece for five-time champions Australia.
Fans on Twitter were left stunned after a remnant of cricket folklore came to bear in Kolkata on Thursday.Â
Australia’s target of 213 runs is the exact same figure that both teams scored in the ODI World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston in 1999.Â
A dramatic runout in the final over saw the scores tied and meant that Australia advanced to the final at Lord’s owing to their better group stage finish. They went on to win the showpiece match against Pakistan by eight wickets.Â
In a similar scenario in Kolkata, South Africa would advance because they finished above Australia in the group stage at this year’s tournament.Â
India beat New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday to book their place in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad.
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Cricket fans stunned as South Africa set eerily similar target for Australia at the World Cup as Egbaston classic in 1999… and even a former Protea sees the funny side!







