AI Simulation, AUS-C vs SA-C | Lynn's explosive knock helps Aussies eliminate SA Champs with six-wicket win in WCL 2025 Semi-Final

Pitch and Weather

It was a classic Edgbaston surface, with good bounce and an early carron, which slowed down in the second half of the game.

It was an overcast day in Birmingham, with bright sunshine. There was no rain threat throughout the entire game, providing a good contest between bat and ball.

Toss

South Africa Champions won the toss and decided to bat first.

Lineups

AUS-C XI: Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, D’Arcy Short, Ben Dunk (WK), Dan Christian, Callum Ferguson, Ben Cutting, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Peter Siddle, Steve O’Keefe, Brett Lee (C)

SA-C XI: JJ Smuts, AB de Villiers (C), JP Duminy, Morne van Wyk (WK), Henry Davids, Jacques Rudolph, Sarel Erwee, Hardus Viljoen, Duanne Olivier, Aaron Phangiso, Aaron Phangiso

Match Report

The opening pair of JJ Smuts and skipper AB de Villiers stitched a quick and brilliant 47-run opening partnership for South Africa in just 5.3 overs. This fiery start came to an end when Smuts (33 off 21 balls) was caught by Ben Dunk off Brett Lee in the sixth over. Carrying forward from there, De Villiers and Duminy’s 42-run stand for the second wicket also played a crucial role in SA Champs’ innings. Peter Siddle broke this partnership by dismissing Duminy at an individual score of 29 in the 11th over. But it was De Villiers who stood there firmly and kept making partnerships with the batters, alongside playing a much-needed 62-run knock off just 38 balls. The top three contributions, followed by Morne van Wyk’s 12-ball 15, helped SA Champs score 179/6. Lee registered the most economical figures (2/28 in four overs) for Australia Champs, alongside 1/29 and 1/34 of Siddle and Coulter-Nile.

While chasing the target, Aussie Champs’ openers, Shaun Marsh and Chris Lynn, started in a swashbuckling style, adding 58 runs for the first wicket in just 6.2 overs. Marsh’s blistering 40-run knock was ended by Duanne Olivier, by got him caught in the hands of JP Duminy. Following this, another decisive partnership was built between Lynn and D’Arcy Short for the second wicket before the latter fell prey to Aaron Phangiso after scoring 17-ball 23. Lynn’s onslaught continued, and he went back to the pavilion after playing a match-winning knock of 71 runs off just 40 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes. The late contribution of unbeaten 21* (14) by Dan Christian helped the Aussie Champs to chase down the target comfortably in 18.5 overs, scoring 180/4. Olivier’s 2/33 figures, alongside a wicket each picked by Phangiso and Vijoen, couldn’t help the Proteas to defend the title. This win has propelled the Australia Champions to the final of the tournament’s current edition, where they will meet the holders, India Champions.

Player of the Match

The Australia Champs’ opener, Chris Lynn, won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his exceptional match-defining batting performance.

Scorecard