David Miller hits ton but Australia bowl out South Africa for 212

NEW DELHI: David Miller played a resilient innings, scoring a century to rescue South Africa against Australia in the World Cup semi-finals on Thursday.
Despite Miller and Henrich Klaasen's efforts in staging a recovery, Australia, the five-time champions, will now be chasing a modest target of 213 runs to secure a spot in the final.
Australia's fast bowler Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role, claiming figures of 3-34.South Africa found themselves at a precarious 24-4 initially, but Miller's century and Klaasen's contribution (47) provided a crucial turnaround under overcast skies at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
Miller, the left-handed batsman, reached his century in 115 deliveries, punctuating the milestone with a six off Pat Cummins. However, Australian captain Cummins dismissed him just two balls later when Miller's score reached 101. The South African innings eventually concluded in 49.4 overs.
Cummins and Starc proved to be the primary architects of Australia's bowling success, each taking three wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and part-time spinner Travis Head secured two wickets each.
Starc set the tone by dismissing South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma for a fourth-ball duck in the first over, despite Bavuma expressing concerns about not being "100% fit" at the toss.
Hazlewood claimed the wicket of in-form Quinton de Kock for three as Cummins took a stunning catch.
De Kock, who will quit one-day international cricket when this World Cup is over, has scored 594 runs including four centuries to sit behind the tournament's leading batsman Virat Kohli (711).
The new-ball bowlers kept up the attack with the wickets of Aiden Markram (10) and Rassie van der Dussen (six) as South Africa slumped and were 44-4 when rain interrupted play.
Klaasen and Miller hit back after the 45-minute rain break as the two hit regular boundaries.
The pair put on 95 for the fifth wicket but Head broke through to bowl Klaasen for 47.
Head trapped Marco Jansen lbw on the next delivery to be on a hat-trick, which was saved by Gerald Coetzee.
Coetzee, who has been a breakout star for South Africa with 18 wickets, kept Miller company in a partnership of 53.
Miller smashed eight fours and five sixes in his 116-ball knock.
Coetzee fell caught behind off Cummins but replays suggested the ball grazed his shoulder and not his bat, but the batsman walked off without reviewing.
South Africa are trying to reach their first ever World Cup final after faltering in four semi-finals including two against Australia in 1999 and 2007.
They played impressive cricket in the group phase where they won seven of nine matches.
In their win against Sri Lanka, they piled up a World Cup record of 428-5.
Brief scores: South Africa 212 all out in 49.4 overs (D. Miller 101, H. Klaasen 47; M. Starc 3-34, P. Cummins 3-51) v Australia
(With AFP Inputs)