Fresh from posting 399 in their previous game, South Africa batting was on fire yet again at the cost of Bangladesh who endured a 149-run rout.
IMAGES from the World Cup match between India and South Africa played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday
South Africa head into the third and final Test against Australia believing that if all else fails their deep reservoir of grit and determination can still be counted on to confront the most daunting of challenges.
The South African is firm about progressing further in his journey as an all-rounder.
Australia blanked England while South Africa and Bangladesh showed their bowling prowess with mighty wins over Zimbabwe and USA respectively. In the 16th-place play-off, Afghanistan fought off a spirited USA side to win a low-scoring thriller.
South Africa were in early trouble, after a brief rain delay at the start of play, when Aiden Markham went without scoring in the second over of the day.
'But obviously, Ben trained really well last night. It is great to see him back. He obviously brings a lot on the field and with his presence and leadership skills as well as someone who is always good to turn to," added the wicketkeeper-batter.'
South Africa broke their 24-year World Cup jinx against Pakistan with a nervy one-wicket victory and inched closer to securing a semi-final place with their fifth win in six matches.
Australia's fast bowling sensation Nathan Ellis to focus on white-ball cricket ahead of the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 and ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
India's 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday consolidated their position at the No 2 spot behind leaders Australia in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
The marauding Indians haven't put a foot wrong in their authoritative run in the World Cup, and it won't be a surprise if they go about plundering the Netherlands in their final league game, where Virat Kohl will have a perfect opportunity to scale 'Mount 50' at his spiritual home.
Images from the World Cup match between South Africa and England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the second and final Test against South Africa?
'If you don't get them out early, they can do some damage'
South Africa coach Rob Walter blames shock defeat to Netherlands on his side's death bowling and poor start with bat
They know what it takes to win the 50-over World Cup, having won five of them in 12 editions, but Australia skipper Pat Cummins says they are never "weighed down" by history and will stick to basics against South Africa in the second semi-final in Kolkata on Thursday.
This was the first time in the history of SA cricket a senior team had reached the final of a World Cup.
Despite their heaviest Test defeat to England in 45 years, South African coach Mickey Arthur insists that the Proteas are not panic-stricken ahead of their "must-win" third Test against England starting at Newlands on Sunday.
South Africa's success in Australia is often put down to their comfort on the hard local tracks, which can be similar to those at home, but they could face some unfamiliar conditions this year.
The most interesting aspect of the contest is the form of batters from both sides which has been the reason of their success so far.
Australia captain Pat Cummins lavished praise on Mitchell Starc as the rangy left-arm paceman joined the 300 wickets club in style on Sunday during the first Test win over South Africa.
'We always knew we would be under pressure if the conditions went around a bit.'
Sadeera Samarawickrama top-scored with an unbeaten 91 to power Sri Lanka to an easy five-wicket victory against the Netherlands.
Intention is to play every match, we won't be rotating bowlers unless we have to: Pat Cummins
The statement further said that a decision on wicketkeeper batter Quinton de Kock's availability for the remaining two matches will be made in due course by CSA's medical team.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Sunday's match against South Africa?
Mumbai Indians head coach March Boucher sounded confident that the youngsters that the team invested in will perform this season.
Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola has said that no South African player can slip out the team hotel during away tours as done by Pakistani wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider in the midst of an ODI series against his country in Dubai earlier this week.
The 32-year-old Starc was diagnosed with a detached tendon in the middle finger and missed the third and final Test against the Proteas at Sydney.
Australia completed victory at the Gabba in two days, batting marginally better than the Proteas on a perilous, grassy pitch that South Africa captain Dean Elgar complained was unfair to the batters. T
4 Aussies, 3 Indians, 1 Kiwi, 3 South Africans in Harish Kotian's World Cup 2023 Dream XI.
'All the venues are high-scoring venues. So what you need is pace.' 'You really want someone to come there and control the flow of runs in the death overs, whether you are setting a target or setting a target.' 'It is going to be the fast bowlers because at how many venues have you seen spinners bowling the death overs?'
South Africa's Temba Bavuma struck his maiden Test century in quick time (102 off 148), and in so doing, became the first black South African to crack a Test ton.
The selectors also retained former captain and wicketkeeper, Sarfaraz Ahmed in the squad as a standby to vice-captain, Mohammad Rizwan.
Boucher, whose last assignment with the South African team was the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia where the Proteas exited at the Super 12 stage, said the new role had come with a lot of responsibility.
This is India's fourth ODI World Cup final.
'In our situation, I cannot see any player getting less money this season, but going forward I can see a situation where players might have to receive less.'
Du Plessis also put on a record seventh wicket stand against Sri Lanka of 133 with Keshav Maharaj (73), who went to his highest Test score before he was the last batsman out.
The Proteas squad members assembled at the Feroz Shah Kotla for their optional practice session after clearing their RT PCR tests
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