After reaching 311 for 7 from their 50 overs, the Proteas bowled out Australia for 177 with just under 10 overs remaining, with De Kock receiving strong help from his bowlers.
Marcus Stoinis returned from injury and Josh Inglis, a Leeds native, was picked over Alex Carey in Australia’s lineup. Gerald Coetzee was replaced by spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in South Africa’s lineup.
South Africa was put into bat by Australia after winning the toss, but that move immediately appeared doubtful as De Kock got to work after scoring precisely 100 in South Africa’s opening victory against Sri Lanka.
South Africa defeated Australia in Lucknow by a commanding 134 runs thanks to Quinton De Kock’s second consecutive century in the World Cup.
Before falling for 109 in the 35th over, having faced 106 balls and hitting eight fours and five sixes, he put up 108 with skipper Temba Bavuma (35) for the first wicket. He was also ably supported by Rassie van der Dussen (26) and Aiden Markram.
The Proteas’ progress was unaffected by this as Markram scored 56 and Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Marco Jansen all contributed significant runs to help them surpass 300.
In their response, Australia, who missed multiple opportunities, never got going and lost their openers Mitchell Marsh and David Warner in quick succession with the score at 27.
Steve Smith only scored 19, and Marnus Labuschagne (46) and Mitchell Starc (27), who put up 69 for the seventh wicket, were the only notable partnerships.
Australia was already playing for the run rate at that point, and after suffering a second crushing defeat, they urgently needed to turn things around in their upcoming encounter against Sri Lanka on Monday.
