Sport

Australian cricketers beaten again at World Cup

08:24 am on 13 October 2023

Quinton de Kock of South Africa Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Australia suffered their heaviest Cricket World Cup defeat as they were trounced by South Africa in Lucknow.

They were set 312 to win but a miserable batting display saw them bowled out for 177 in 40.5 overs to lose by 134 runs.

It means they have lost their opening two games after going down to India in their tournament opener last Sunday.

It's also the first time Australia have lost four consecutive matches in their World Cup history after losing their last two matches in 2019.

South Africa posted 311-7, with Quinton de Kock hitting 109 for his second century of the tournament.

He joins compatriot AB de Villiers as the only batter to start a Men's World Cup with consecutive hundreds.

There was a controversial decision to give Marcus Stoinis out after South Africa called for a review, which left Australia 70-6 in their chase.

Third umpire Richard Kettleborough deemed the right-hander had gloved Kagiso Rabada down the leg side, but replays suggested Stoinis' hand was off the bat when the ball grazed that glove.

Kettleborough's explanation was both Stoinis' gloves were touching, but that did not appear to be the case on the pictures shown.

Australia's next game is against Sri Lanka on Monday, while South Africa play the Netherlands on Tuesday.

- BBC