Manchester: South Africa captain Faf du Plessis led from the front with a century and Rassie van der Dussen made a superb 95 as the Proteas piled up 325-6 against Australia in the World Cup’s concluding group match on Saturday.
Reigning champions Australia, already through to the semifinals, need to win to be certain of finishing top of the 10-team table. That would ensure they return to Old Trafford for a semifinal clash with fourth-placed New Zealand — a team they thrashed by 86 runs at Lord’s last week. But defeat could leave Australia with a seemingly tougher last-four showdown against resurgent hosts England at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Mitchell Starc equalled Australia legend Glenn McGrath’s record of most wickets at a World Cup tournament, set at the 2007 event in the Caribbean, when he moved to 26 wickets at this edition with a return of 2-59.
