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LEEDS: AB de Villiers sublime century and all-round bowling performance powered South Africa Champions to a massive 95-run victory over Australia Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.
Chasing a daunting target of 242 runs in the 12th fixture of the tournament, the Australia Champions were bundled out for 146 runs in 16.4 overs here on Sunday at the Headingley Cricket Ground.
With half of the team back in the pavilion within the first six overs, it was always an uphill task for Australia to chase down a massive total.
After putting up an extravagant batting display, the Proteas bowlers starred with the ball. Imran Tahir removed dangerous Chris Lynn for a nought on the first ball of the opening over.
Shaun Marsh looked fluent for his 18 off 13 deliveries, crisping four boundaries before getting caught in the third over. D Arcy Short (13) and Daniel Christian were out for a golden duck on successive deliveries as Australia were reduced to 32-4.
However, Ben Dunk and Callum Ferguson partnered and forged a brief partnership for the fifth wicket, which brought the score to 61-5.
Aaron Phangiso broke the partnership for South Africa Champions, removing Dunk (15), which halted Australia Champions’ progress.
The wicket triggered a mini collapse, resulting in quick wickets as the Australia Champions were reduced to 67-8 in 9.2 overs.
However, Ben Cutting and Peter Siddle crafted a 79-run partnership for the ninth wicket, demonstrating Aussie grit to take the total near 150 runs, but victory was far away as Australia’s Champions innings folded in the 17th over with the removal of Steve O’Keefe for a golden duck.
Peter Siddle valiantly scored 19 off 17, featuring two fours, whereas Ben Cutting top-scored and made 59* off 29 deliveries, striking four sixes and six fours.
For the South Africa Champions, Aaron Phangiso starred with the ball, scalping four wickets. Imran Tahir was equally good, claiming three wickets in four overs.
Earlier, South Africa Champions posted an imposing 241-run total against Australia Champions for the loss of six wickets in their allocated 20 overs.
The Proteas openers put on a massive 187-run stand peppered with boundaries in just 13.3 overs. AB de Villiers played as the core aggressor, whereas JJ Smuts played the second fiddle.
The first six overs saw rain-boundaries all around the park as the Rainbow Nation scored 78 runs. After the fielding restrictions were lifted, South Africa continued the charge with 41-year-old De Villiers reaching his half-century on just 20 balls.
Meanwhile, JJ Smuts also accelerated and scored his fifty in the 12th over as South Africa brought the score to 160. In the next over, AB de Villiers took Darcy Short to the cleaners, accumulating 22 runs off the over and reaching his second consecutive ton in style.
Eventually, De Villiers was out in the 13th over after scoring 123 runs from just 46 balls, laced with eight towering sixes and 15 fours.
However, the Australia Champions fought back at the end of the innings with quick wickets to restrict the South Africa Champions below 250, which had looked easy at one stage of the innings.
JJ Smuts’ prolific innings of 85 off 53 balls was laced with three sixes and 10 fours.
For Australia Champions, Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets in his quota of four overs.
Earlier, South Africa skipper Aaron Phangiso won the toss and decided to bat first. The Proteas have De Villiers back in their side after missing out on their encounter against the Pakistan Champions.
Playing XIs
Australia Champions
Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, D Arcy Short, Ben Dunk(w), Callum Ferguson, Ben Cutting, Daniel Christian, John Hastings, Steve O’Keefe, Brett Lee(c), Peter Siddle
South Africa Champions
AB de Villiers, Henry Davids, JJ Smuts, Sarel Erwee, Jacques Rudolph, Jean-Paul Duminy, Morne van Wyk(w), Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso(c), Hardus Viljoen, Duanne Olivier
READ: WCL 2025: South Africa win toss, bat first against Australia
