Australia have been comprehensively outplayed by South Africa in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The five-time champions' poor performance in the fielding, batting and bowling departments handed South Africa a dominant 134-run victory in Lucknow on Thursday. However, there were a couple of controversial dismissals in Australia's innings, with one by Marcus Stoinis creating a huge controversy.
Chasing a competitive total of 312, Australia got off to a horror start as they lost half of their side for 65 runs. Marnus Labuschagne was putting up a bit of a fight at one end and he had a new partner in Marcus Stoinis who came in at No. 7. However, he too was sent packing cheaply, but not in an ideal way. The Aussie all-rounder was facing the second ball of the 18th over by the Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada.
The delivery, which was straying down the leg, brushed Stoinis and went on to the gloves of Quinton De Kock behind the stumps. He was given not out by the on-field umpire but the bowler convinced South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma to send it upstairs. The replays showed that there was a clear spike when the ball went past the bat and the third umpire adjudged Stoinis 'OUT'.
The 34-year-old was not pleased by the decision as he pointed out to the on-field umpire that the ball hit his top hand and at that moment, it was not in contact with the bat. However, the right-handed batter had to go back to the pavilion, scoring just 5 runs off 4 balls and leaving his team reeling at 70-6.
Watch the video below:
Was this out? Marcus Stoinis third umpire overruling the onfield umpire to give out caught behind. #AUSvSA #ICCWorldCup2023 #marcus pic.twitter.com/XNQZSug35V
— Interestin Take (@INTERESTIN_TAKE) October 12, 2023
Quinton de Kock scores a brilliant ton in South Africa's mission annihilation
Coming to the match, the South African opening duo Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock laid the platform with a century partnership. The southpaw smashed back-to-back centuries and was adjudged Player of the Match. Aiden Markram's half-century and effective cameos from David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen took their team total to 311/7 in 50 overs.
In reply, Australia were done and dusted in the powerplay itself. Aussie openers Mitchell Marsh and David Warner returned in successive overs. Steve Smith tried to build a partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, but the former departed in a controversial lbw call. The Proteas bowlers picked up three more wickets in quick succession and took the game completely away from Australia. The five-time champions were bundled out for 177 in 40.5 overs.