Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup semi-final hopes no longer rest solely in their own hands after South Africa threw down the gauntlet, boosting their net run-rate by belting Bangladesh.
The Proteas dismissed Bangladesh for 84 in Abu Dhabi then cruised to a six-wicket win in 13.3 overs.
It means there is now a net run-rate (NRR) gap of 1.369 between South Africa and Australia, who risk paying a big price for their lopsided loss to England.
Aaron Finch’s side will finish above South Africa if they can defeat Bangladesh and West Indies this week, if the Proteas lose to England on Sunday morning (AEDT).
But if Australia only bank one victory from their final two pool games then the semi-final berth could come down to NRR; likewise if they win both matches but South Africa topple the tournament favourites.
Star paceman Kagiso Rabada admitted the bigger picture was on his side’s radar as they handed injury-hit Bangladesh a fourth consecutive loss, eliminating them from contention.
“Obviously that was the chat. We tried to finish the game as early as possible,” Rabada said after claiming 3-20 and player-of-the-match honours.
“In saying that, we just try to keep it really as simple as possible.
“But yeah, there was a clear instruction that we should try to finish the game – there was a clear instruction that we needed to try and finish the game before 15, and we did that.”
The Proteas have been on a roll since losing their tournament-opener against Australia, weathering the storm surrounding Quinton de Kock’s initial refusal to take a knee and quick return.
“We will regroup and then strategise for England,” Rabada said.
“We can take confidence out of our team performances, as a collective, heading into the England game. We know it’s going to be a very tough game.”
England have all but secured top spot in the group.
Fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Rabada shared six cheap wickets, then their batsmen survived Taskin Ahmed’s twin early strikes as captain Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten knock of 31 carried them home.
Once victory was assured they finished in a hurry, taking 19 off the last nine balls.
Bangladesh, who are without injured star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, complete their campaign against Australia on Thursday.
“The wicket was pretty good to bowl on in the first half,” Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah said.
“We weren’t good enough in the middle, that was a poor batting display.
“It’s frustrating, but we could have won two games (against West Indies and Sri Lanka), if we had won those games, it would have been a different story.”
Meanwhile Pakistan became the first side to guarantee a place in the semi-finals after maintaining their perfect record in the Super 12s, comfortably beating Namibia by 45 runs in Abu Dhabi.
Babar Azam took a slight gamble by electing to bat first after winning the toss in a tournament where the chasing team has often prevailed but the Pakistan captain vindicated the decision with a sparkling 70 from 49 balls.
Fellow opener Mohammad Rizwan finished unbeaten on 79 off 50 while Mohammad Hafeez had a cameo of 32 at a strike-rate of 200 as Pakistan clobbered 62 runs from the last 23 deliveries of the innings to finish on 2-189.
Rizwan, who was adjudged man-of-the-match, plundered 24 runs from the final over from JJ Smit which read 4,6,4,4,4,2.
“It was a different plan today, we wanted that opening partnership to go deep and it worked for us,” Babar said.
“Everything has gone according to plan. We’re looking forward to the semi-finals and playing our cricket with the same intensity.”
Namibia kept themselves in the game by advancing to 70 for two at the midway point of their reply but, as they attempted to inject some urgency into proceedings ,they stumbled to 5-110 in the 17th over.
Not even a couple of big hits from David Wiese towards the end in a 31-ball 43 could get Namibia close as they settled for 5-144, likely ending their hopes of a place in the knockout rounds.
“We knew from the start that Pakistan are high quality, they look like title contenders,” Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus said.
“We spoke about competing and be better for longer… I thought Pakistan were fantastic in the back 10 and their quality shone through.”
Pakistan can make sure they finish top of their group by beating Scotland in Sharjah on Sunday.
Republican
Guest
The groupings of this T20 tournament seem grossly lop sided, i.e. to say, Australia seem to have drawn the toughest group whereas NZ have been delivered a virtual free ride to the semis being lumped in the weaker group?
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Do England still have to do the quarantine now? If they don’t, what on earth are they going to be doing in Australia for 5 weeks with only a couple of intra squad games for practice? Think there could be some trouble brewing off the field like last Ashes tour and especially, they will really feel the length of the tour by early Jan
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Just as well…I was about to search cricinfo on this new guy!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There is no one in International cricket that can make the last 4 besides that 6. It's been that way forever.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Its not as LUCK orientated as you may think Paul. Top 6 rankings are England, Pak, India, NZ, SA and then Aus so the top 4 will definately come from the top 6 ranked sides. 2, 3 and 4 on one side of draw and 1,5 and 6 on the other side so the top 4 wasnt possible to go thru so one of the top 4 goes out and either 5 or 6 will take the spot.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I agree Don. Im seeing Aus v Pak for one semi and Eng v NZ for the other at this stage with Windies possibably doing an upset over Aus but they are playing very average and India a possability in the other pool to take NZs position should NZ stuff up V Bangladesh
Frank delosa
Guest
Paulie, First of all, I'm from the future, hence the comments about what will come forth. Stoinis is a clown, he has had maybe 2 excellent games in his career. In the last ODI WC he was absolutely useless. However, he is the classic meathead that sells tickets to games so CA love him, hence the selections. The AUS test side were so disappointing last summer. The 37 all out for india was a completely flash in the pan fluke and AUs were looking like they would have been pounded in that test. The raw reality is that besides our pace guys we dont have a great test XI. The inability to move on from Warner and say Paine is going to cost us the Ashes and the next series in Asia. Lord knows when the test squad is going to be annouced? A day before the 1st test at this rate. Meanwhile ENG arrive tomorrow and will be settled and FIRING. Meawhile some of our test players willl be floundering in quarantine wasting training time. For shame CA! "cratty tatters" - damn autocorrect. It was meant to say crazy but not sure what cratty means, even for someone from the future :)
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
This is one of the few times, maybe only time I can recall where public expectations on the Proteas in a limited overs WC Tournament are very low.. Even the De Kock thingy has failed to ignite much interest.. This may be a good thing.. The players can go out and have a bash without the usual weight of pressure....
Paul
Roar Guru
I was going to ask what "cratty tatters" was, but am not sure I want to know. I've noticed another couple of things Frank. You've got genuine expertise in knocking selections, etc and are equally gifted in hindsight. I'm wondering who should have toured in the place of the players you've disparaged and also wonder what difference it would make if the Australians came home early given they're going to lose the Ashes to England 3-1? By the way, is that a prediction from your crystal ball or have you got another patented way of divining the future?
Paul
Roar Guru
In a format dominated by luck, I don't think any team can have too many expectations. Look at the Windies and India. There's also far more teams capable of winning in this format for a variety of reasons. We're big 3 in Tests and ODIs but not in T20.
Brian
Guest
As one of the big 3 its pretty ordinary that we wouldn't expect to make the semis. Are we outsourced by Afghanistan and New Zealand?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Marsh and Stoinis are well and truly proven in T20 cricket. I'm not sure you've been following cricket...or perhaps you just have players mixed up. Stoinis as a bowler is a problem but as a batsman he has done well. Your comments characterize your handle on the game. A barracker rather than a follower of the game.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
So don't play them until they are as ready as players who have done the work these "underdone" players haven't done.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You’re way more confident than me. If we lose the toss and are forced to bat first against Bangladesh and WI, I’d rate us no better than 50:50 to go through. Way less in fact
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Let’s not make it personal Don. I am far removed from Australian domestic cricket but it’s obvious the NSW guys are underdone.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They are obviously the front runners. It's really only Tassie, WA and SA that have played more than one game. Surely you know that...or are you assuming nobody but you knows stuff?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Bloody predictive texting. "Nevertire" is Neser. Appropriate!
Prez
Roar Rookie
That match hasn't changed the scenario for Australia. So still a good chance to make the finals.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I say NSW only because they’ve played no SS due to the weird circumstances of this year
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I don’t mind looking at alternatives to Starc but you started this thread suggesting all needed to justify their spot and have now accepted 2/3 of the NSW quicks are welded on. We need these blokes at their best as they’re our best