AUSTRALIA’S One Day International (ODI) World Cup campaign is hanging by a thread after a second consecutive loss, this time falling to South Africa by 134 runs. It is the five-time champions’ worst ever loss at a World Cup.

The Aussies went into Thursday night’s game in Lucknow fresh off a loss to India earlier in the week. Meanwhile, South Africa was unbeaten after downing Sri Lanka in its opening game, giving Australia a tough task.

There was already plenty to discuss from an Australian point of view coming into the match, with mainstays Cameron Green and keeper Alex Carey sensationally dropped after a period out of form.

A fielding performance that was below par from Australia meant South Africa dominated at the crease, while the Aussies were left scratching their heads after some contentious reviews went the way of the Proteas. However, the match was decided far earlier than that, as the opposition got off to a flying start with bat in hand.

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl, backing its quicks to get off to a fast start against a dangerous Proteas batting lineup. However, the Aussies could not break the opening partnership between Quinton De Kock and Temba Bavuma, with the pair doing as they pleased against both pace and spin bowling.

The Aussies tried a number of bowling options to try and get the breakthrough, but could not hold onto a number of chances in the field, with plenty of catches dropped. It meant South Africa got off to the perfect start, producing consistent boundaries as Australia tried to draw catches with hittable deliveries.

By the time Glenn Maxwell finally claimed the scalp of Bavuma, the Proteas were well-placed, amassing 311 from their 50 overs at the crease, and giving the Aussies a big challenge.

Opener Mitch Marsh fell cheaply for the second time in as many matches, making just seven runs before snicking off to Bavuma in the sixth over. David Warner was gone shortly after, and another batting collapse loomed for Australia.

The partnership between Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne shaped as crucial for Australia’s dwindling hopes, and while both looked in good form at the crease, the former was given out upon review for LBW. Both batsmen looked bemused at the decision, but replays showed the ball cannoning into leg stump.

Australia’s batting lineup continued to crumble, with Josh Inglis and Maxwell not making an impact on the scoreboard. The biggest talking point of the match came shortly after, as all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was given out after another Proteas review. However, the Aussies claimed there was a clear gap between the glove that touched the ball and the bat. Regardless, he was sent back to the pavilion as Australia’s hopes of a miracle win were diminished.

The remainder of the batting lineup tried valiantly to keep the score churning along, but a lack of scoreboard impact from the top order meant the Aussies fell well short of the required total, bowled out for 177 after 40.5 overs.

Keeper-batsman De Kock was named player of the match for his tremendous effort with both bat and gloves. At the crease, he made a whopping 109 to remain as the tournament’s leading run scorer, while also taking a pair of catches behind the stumps.

Australia 177 (40.5) def. by South Africa 7/311 (50)

FIRST INNINGS

South Africa – De Kock 109 (105), Markram 56 (44), Bavuma 35 (55)
Australia – Maxwell 2/34 (10), Starc 2/54 (9), Hazlewood 1/60 (9)

SECOND INNINGS

Australia – Labuschagne 46 (74), Starc 27 (51), Cummins 22 (21)
South Africa – Rabada 3/33 (8), Maharaj 2/30 (10), Shamsi 2/38 (7.5)