Sloppy Australia drop six catches and slump to second defeat at the World Cup against South Africa… with Quinton de Kock smashing a second successive century in 134-run rout

• South Africa posted 311-7, with opener Quinton de Kock hitting a classy 109
• Australia were reduced to 70-6 before being bowled out for 177 in 40.5 overs
• South Africa went top the table on net run-rate after two wins out of two

Australia’s World Cup campaign is in danger of unravelling after they suffered a 134-run thrashing by South Africa in Lucknow, plummeting to ninth in the 10-team table. Only Afghanistan sit below them.

Set 312 for victory after South African opener Quinton de Kock hit his second century of the competition, the Australians were reduced to 70 for six by three wickets for Kagiso Rabada. 

Marnus Labuschagne ground out 46, but a total of 177 condemned them to their seventh defeat in eight one-day internationals, and left former captain Aaron Finch branding them as ‘timid’.

The Australians were unhappy when Marcus Stoinis was given out for five, caught behind down the leg side after third umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled that his bottom hand was touching his top hand when the ball brushed it. 

Replays suggested it wasn’t.

South African opener Quinton de Kock hit his second century of the competition

The Australians were reduced to 70 for six, with Kagiso Rabada claiming three wickets

Mitchell Starch failed to hold on to dismiss David Miller as Australia dropped six catches

But Pat Cummins’s team had only themselves to blame after an unusually sloppy performance in the field saw them drop six catches. 

De Kock’s 109 off 106 balls included five sixes, and he was well supported by 56 off 44 from Aiden Markram as Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa’s 10 overs disappeared for 70.

Marco Jansen them removed Mitchell Marsh for seven, before David Warner sliced Lungi Ngidi to point for 13. Steve Smith looked aghast when Rabada successfully reviewed a leg-before shout, and Rabada quickly cleaned up wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, in the team after the selectors dropped Alex Carey.

After that, the South Africans never lost control.

‘If we want to be challenging for this tournament, we’ve got to find a way in all conditions,’ said Cummins. ‘Not much needs to be said tonight. Everyone’s hurting.’

South Africa head the early table on net run-rate from New Zealand, India and Pakistan, who have all won two out of two.

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