South Africa vs Australia Semi-final LIVE Score: SA 127/6; Miller brings up fifty after Head's twin-strike

17:16 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 36 overs,South Africa 139/6 ( David Miller 59 , Gerald Coetzee 9)

FOUR! Maxwell drops one slightly short and Miller promptly responds with a firm pull towards the midwicket fence to collect his fifth four. Five off the over, with Head having conceded as many in the previous one.

17:12 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

FOUR! Welcome boundary for the Proteas, especially since this comes off Gerald Coetzee’s bat. Half volley from Travis Head and this is promptly driven towards the vacant extra cover fence. Sweeper point runs to his right in vain. SA 133/6

17:06 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 33 overs,South Africa 127/6 ( David Miller 54 , Gerald Coetzee 2)

Couple of singles conceded by Head in his second over, and the umpires signal for drinks to be brought to the field at the end of the 33rd over.

17:03 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 32 overs,South Africa 125/6 ( David Miller 53 , Gerald Coetzee 1)

FOUR! Fifty to David Miller — and perhaps one of the more crucial knocks from the southpaw that might have given the Proteas a glimmer of hope at the Eden Gardens though he still has a long way to go if the South Africans are to post a competitive total tonight. Slightly short from Maxwell and Miller cuts this through the covers, bringing up the milestone in 70 deliveries.

17:01 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

OUT! Travis Head’s on a hat-trick in his very first over, getting Marco Jansen trapped leg-before the very next ball after castling Heinrich Klaasen! What a first over this has turned out to be from the part-timer! Jansen was beaten for turn, and was hit on the pad right in front of middle. Went for the review anyway, and gets three reds on Hawk-Eye. SA 119/6

Jansen LBW Head 0(1)

16:55 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

BOWLED! Huge wicket for the Aussies as the golden arm of Travis Head delivers them the breakthrough, ending the fifth-wicket partnership that was ultimately worth 95! Klaasen was looking to defend, but the ball narrowly beat his outside edge and crashed into the middle pole! SA 119/5

Klaasen b Head 47

16:53 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

FOUR! FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Klaasen as part-time offie Travis Head gets off to an expensive start! Klaasen decides to go inside out over extra cover before getting on the backfoot to clobber the ball over the vacant mid off. SA 119/4

16:52 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 30 overs,South Africa 111/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 39 , David Miller 48)

While Zampa continues leaking runs, Maxwell is doing a superb job of stemming the flow from his end, conceding three singles in his fifth over. End of the 30th over, and the Proteas find themselves in a relatively better position of 111/4.

16:50 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

SIX! Juicy full toss from Zampa and Miller promptly smacks this into the stands over the midwicket fence for his third maximum of the day! Partnership’s worth over 80 now! SA 108/4

16:45 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 28 overs,South Africa 100/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 36 , David Miller 40)

Miller slashes hard at a half-tracker from Maxwell that lands anxiously close to Warner at backward, and allows the southpaw to collect a double. Five off the over, with the 100 coming up for the Proteas!

16:41 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 27 overs,South Africa 95/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 35 , David Miller 36)

SIX! SIX! It's just not Zampa's day so far, with the leg-spinner now getting struck for back-to-back maximums over the wide long on/midwicket region! And it's Klaasen who's now starting to catch up with Miller and exert pressure on the Aussies. Zampa bowls a couple of half-trackers and Klaasen gets on the back foot and swings his bat with authority on each occasion.

16:39 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 25 overs,South Africa 79/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 22 , David Miller 33)

Maxwell concedes just two singles in his third over, and has leaked a total of four runs from three overs. And this at a time when Miller and Klaasen are fairly settled and looking to counter-attack. South Africa reach 79/4 at the halfway stage and will need to accelerate from here if they are to go past 200 — which will be a fighting total on this surface.

16:36 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 24 overs,South Africa 77/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 21 , David Miller 32)

Another good over from Maxwell in which he gives away just a single. A real bonus for the Aussies these overs, not only are they giving away precious little, they’re also able to save their key bowlers for later. Cummins concedes six in the following over, including a boundary to Klaasen that brings up the fifty partnership for the fourth wicket.

16:31 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

FOUR! Short and wide from Cummins, and Klaasen slashes the ball over the leaping backward point fielder to collect his first boundary. And that brings up the fifty partnership for the fifth wicket! AUS 76/4

16:25 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 22 overs,South Africa 70/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 16 , David Miller 30)

Cummins decides to bring off-spinner Glenn Maxwell in for Adam Zampa, who has looked a bit off colour so far. Tidy start for Maxwell, conceding just a single in his first over. Cummins gives away just two in the following over.

16:18 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 20 overs,South Africa 67/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 14 , David Miller 29)

FOUR! The partnership is now in the forties, and it’s Miller who’s leading South Africa’s fightback at the moment! Cummins returns in place of Hazlewood, saving a couple of his overs for later. Miller goes for an aerial chip through midwicket that would have been a sitter had Cummins placed a fielder there. Instead, it goes through the gap and mid on is hardly able to keep up with the ball. Partnership’s worth 43 now, and the Proteas are looking a lot better at the end of the 20th over.

16:16 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

SIX! Two sixes for Miller now in as many overs from Zampa and the Proteas are starting to fight back in the middle overs now! And the southpaw once again targets the long on boundary!

16:09 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 18 overs,South Africa 55/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 12 , David Miller 19)

Was turning out to be a tidy second over from Zampa until he fired one into the slot for Miller, who promptly smoked it over wide long on to collect the first maximum of the innings and bring up the fifty for the Proteas. Hazlewood continues from the other end and collects a second maiden on the trot. Miller and Klaasen will look to see him through in cases Cummins decides to bowl him out right away.

16:03 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

SIX! First maximum of the Proteas innings as David Miller clobbers the ball over the wide long on fence! Zampa erred by firing the ball into the slot for the southpaw. South Africa go past 50 with that hit, and that should give them some confidence! SA 54/4

16:02 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 16 overs,South Africa 46/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 11 , David Miller 11)

Spin introduced for the first time today as leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who had been bowling the wicket-takers’ list until Mohammed Shami overtook him with his seven-for yesterday, bowling the first over after the rain break. Cummins, meanwhile, decides to have Hazlewood back from the other end in the following. Zampa concedes a couple of singles in his first over while Hazlewood collects his second maiden.

15:56 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

The players make their way back to the centre with Klaasen and Miller both batting in double figures and facing a massive task ahead of them in terms of rescuing the side from a perilous position and towards a competitive total. Australia, meanwhile, decide to introduce spin for the first time today with Adam Zampa replacing Mitchell Starc.

15:42 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

Play to restart at 3.55 pm IST! That's a little over 10 minutes from now. So it wasn't that long a hold-up after all and the rain did not go beyond a drizzle at the Eden Gardens.

15:36 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

Rain had been forecast for the second semi-final in Kolkata. And it has made its way to the Eden Gardens after 14 overs of play in the Proteas’ innings.

So how does rain affect the second semi-final? And what happens if the game gets washed out?

Read: What happens if rain interrupts SA-AUS World Cup semi-final?

15:22 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

Apparently the rain’s not too heavy at the Eden Gardens at the moment, so it doesn’t look like too long a hold-up. The umpires are having a chat in the middle and assessing the conditions.

15:15 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

RAIN HALTS PLAY!

And rain makes its way to the Eden Gardens shortly after the end of the first powerplay, forcing the ground staff to bring the covers out and for the players and umpires to dash back to the dressing room. Let’s hope this is a passing shower and not a long hold up.

15:14 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 14 overs,South Africa 44/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 10 , David Miller 10)

FOUR! Cummins nearly gets a wicket in his first over! Miller chipped the ball towards mid on, and nearly got caught inside the circle. Instead, the ball races away for a four! Miller sets off for a single next up, as Cummins concedes 12 in his first over — the best one for the Proteas today. Their run-rate also goes beyond three for the first time. Starc, meanwhile, had bowled a seventh over on the trot in the previous over, conceding four off it. Drinks brought to the field at the end of the 14th.

15:11 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

FOUR! First bowling change of the day and Pat Cummins starts off by conceding a boundary, with Klaasen leaning forward and producing a crisp cover drive. SA 36/4

15:06 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 12 overs,South Africa 28/4 ( Heinrich Klaasen 1 , David Miller 4)

FOUR! Edged... and safe! Hazlewood nearly gets two in two in his sixth over as Miller gets an outside edge in his first delivery that stays low and sneaks past the slip cordon to run away for a boundary. SA 28/4

15:01 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

OUT! And now Hazlewood gets his 2nd as van der Dussen nicks the ball to Smith at second slip! South Africa have now lost four with a little more than 20 runs on the board, and a maiden World Cup final appearance looks very difficult from here indeed. SA 24/4

Van der Dussen c Smith b Hazlewood 6(31)

14:55 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

OUT! Things go from bad to worse for South Africa with Aiden Markram becoming the latest batter to depart. Decides to have a poke at a full, wide delivery from Starc, and sprays it straight to Warner at backward point! South Africa are three down now with a little over 20 on the board! SA 22/3

Markram c Warner b Starc 10(20)

14:50 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

FOUR! Second boundary for Markram in as many overs from Starc and this time he pushes the ball in front of square — through the midwicket region. The fielder placed at deep square runs to his left in vain. SA 22/2

14:49 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 10 overs,South Africa 18/2 ( Rassie van der Dussen 5 , Aiden Markram 6)

Tidy over from Hazlewood in which he bowls five consecutive dots before Markram taps the ball towards mid off for a single off the last delivery. South Africa collect just 18 runs in the first 10 overs and lose both openers along the way. Compare that with how India skipper Rohit has dominated this phase, which has been an important component for the Men in Blue’s success in this tournament so far.

14:46 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 9 overs,South Africa 17/2 ( Rassie van der Dussen 5 , Aiden Markram 5)

Rare error from Starc as he fires a bouncer down leg to van der Dussen that is called a wide. Outstanding stop by Labuschagne at extra cover in the following delivery after a well-timed drive by van der Russen to save three runs for his side, allowing the batter just a single. This has been an exceptional fielding effort from the Aussies so far, and it is only increasing the frustration for the Proteas. Markram however, releases some of the pressure with a flick behind square in the fourth ball that fetches South Africa their first boundary of the innings. Seven off Starc’s fifth.

14:46 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

FOUR! South Africa finally have a boundary after opting to bat in the second semi-final, and this comes off a rare loosener from Starc. Markram flicks a full delivery pitched along leg towards the backward square leg fence. Takes the Proteas 52 balls to collect their first boundary today. SA 16/2

14:39 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 8 overs,South Africa 10/2 ( Rassie van der Dussen 4 , Aiden Markram 1)

Markram opens his account with a single in the third delivery, tapping the ball towards extra cover and dashing off towards the non-striker’s end. Hazlewood bowls another of his late away-swingers to van der Dussen in the following delivery, and the ball once again travels close to the outside edge. Hazlewood fires a bouncer next up after RvDD taking a couple of steps down the track. Van der Dussen collects a single off the last delivery to help South Africa finally get to double figures after 10 overs.

14:36 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 7 overs,South Africa 8/2 ( Rassie van der Dussen 3 , Aiden Markram 0)

Back-to-back maidens for the Aussies now, the first for Starc today. Another outstanding stop by Warner at cover in the penultimate delivery of the over to deny van der Dussen a run.

14:34 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 6 overs,South Africa 8/2 ( Rassie van der Dussen 3 , Aiden Markram 0)

Hazlewood collects a wicket-maiden in the sixth over, getting the prized wicket of Quinton de Kock. South Africa are in serious, serious trouble at the moment and van der Dussen and new batter Aiden Markram will hope to survive the remaining overs of the powerplay and start the rebuilding process once the ball gets a little softer and the slower bowlers are introduced. Either way, the Proteas need a couple of big partnerships from here if they are to post a competitive total on the board.

14:28 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

OUT! HUGE BREAKTHROUGH FOR AUSTRALIA as Hazlewood gets rid of De Kock — South Africa's leading run-scorer in this World Cup! De Kock had been running out of patience and was looking to break the shackles, and decided to go big downtown. Except Hazlewood took pace off the ball, resulting in de Kock hitting it high in the grey sky. Cummins backpedals from mid on and completes an outstanding catch. SA 8/2

De Kock c Cummins b Hazlewood 3(14)

14:24 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 5 overs,South Africa 8/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 3 , Rassie van der Dussen 3)

Van der Dussen tries breaking the shackles in the fifth over, but is hardly able to pierce the off-side cordon with Warner making a couple of athletic saves, leaping to his right and then to his left in consecutive deliveries. RvDD does thread the gap in the fifth delivery after producing a solid punch, getting enough time to come back for a second.

14:22 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 4 overs,South Africa 6/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 3 , Rassie van der Dussen 1)

De Kock and Van der Dussen collect a single each in Hazlewood’s second over. Nervous times these for the Proteas. Hazlewood bowls a sharp delivery to van der Dussen in the penultimate ball of the over which travels anxiously close to the outside edge. RvDD gets a thick inside edge in the final delivery that lobs the ball towards the vacant backward square-leg region, allowing him a single.

14:20 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 3 overs,South Africa 4/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 2 , Rassie van der Dussen 0)

No runs off the bat in Starc’s second over as de Kock sets off for a run after getting hit on the pad in the third delivery, adding a bye. Starc appeals faintly for an LBW. The left-arm seamer then fires a wide down RvDD’s leg side.

14:12 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 2 overs,South Africa 2/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 2 , Rassie van der Dussen 0)

Josh Hazlewood steams in from the other end and he too starts off on a tidy note, conceding just a single. De Kock got an outside edge in the second delivery but the ball flew wide of the slip cordon. Tense start for the Proteas.

14:10 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

After 1 over,South Africa 1/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 1 , Rassie van der Dussen 0)

Superb first over from Mitchell Starc where he delivers the early breakthrough that the Aussies would have hoped for under overcast skies. Bavuma departs for a four-ball duck after nicking the ball to the keeper. De Kock had earlier opened the team’s account with a single in the second delivery.

14:09 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

OUT! Starc strikes early as Bavuma, who had earlier indicated he isn't a hundred percent for the big semi-final, ends up nicking the ball to Aussie keeper Inglis to depart for a duck! SA 1/1

Bavuma c Inglis b Starc 0(4)

14:07 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

The national anthems (Advance Australia Fair and Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika) have been sung, and the Eden Gardens bell has been rung by two-time World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting, and it’s time for some high-octane cricketing action to take centrestage!

Quinton de Kock and skipper Temba Bavuma make their way to the centre to open the South African innings with Mitchell Starc getting ready to send down the first over.

13:47 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

Here are the lineups:

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(wk), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(wk), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

13:43 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain: It did come into consideration. Looking at the composition of the team, we decided to bat first. Not hundred per cent fit but it has to be good enough. (On playing a World Cup semifinal) Massive. Not something I dreamt of. Coming into the semi-final against a powerful team like Australia. We have a game of cricket to focus on. (Support from Springboks) Massive. They actually sent a message this morning. We’re taking a lot of inspiration from them. Very important. We’ll just try to stick to our processes. One change, Tabraiz Shamsi comes in for Lungi Ngidi.

Pat Cummins, Australia captain: We would have had a bat as well. Pretty gloomy out there so might swing as well. They’ve played pretty similar style to how we played. They’ve won the last few. Hopefully really important. When things get tired and we’re under pressure, we know how to deal with it. We adjusted really well. Guys have been real positive. Two changes — Stoinis and Abbott miss out, Starc and Maxwell come back in.

13:36 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

TOSS: South Africa win the toss and skipper Temba Bavuma opts to bat!

13:25 (IST)

South Africa vs Australia LIVE

Pommie Mbangwa and Matthew Hayden analyse the Eden pitch ahead of toss

“We’re wondering how much it is going to turn. This venue has been the highest in terms of average spin. This is the second-highest degree of spin behind the India-South Africa match. Spin will win. It will be tough to score runs. Right about 300 would do nicely. Whoever wins the toss, despite the rain threat, they’ll bat first.”

13:14 (IST)

AUS vs SA: Is there a reserve day?

Yes, there's a reserve day for the semi-final, however, all attempts will be made to finish the match today including giving 120 minutes extra before overs start reducing. A minimum of 20 overs per side is needed for a match. And the playing conditions are the same for the reserve day. if a match is not possible then South Africa will qualify for final as they finished above Australia in the points table.