By Edmund J. Rogers 
During the Australia vs South Africa match at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the Australians suffered their record defeat by margin in Cricket World Cup history as the 40-year-old record was broken.
While South Africa continued their strong start at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, five-time ODI World Cup winners Australia suffered their second major defeat in a row at the start of this tournament. In the Australia vs South Africa match, the Australians suffered their record defeat by margin in the history of the Cricket World Cup, having broken the 40-year-old record.
Lucknow has hosted the important tenth match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where Australian captain Pat Cummins has chosen to line up first on the delicate and secret pitch.
South Africa scored 311 runs, thanks to Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram
The Australian players missed almost six receptions that turned costly for the five-time ODI World Cup winners. South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock smashed his second successive century at the start of this tournament by scoring 109 in 106 balls (eight fours and five sixes) against Australia before losing his wicket in a clumsy and misfired reverse shot.
Aiden Markram, who recorded the fastest century in the WCC in his first match of the tournament against Sri Lanka, scored another quick half-century and came out with 56 in 44 balls (seven fours and only six). The other Proteas upper and middle order batsmen also provided good support as South Africa scored 311/7 in 50 overs.
Australia bowled out for 177, lost by 134 runs
Australia were never in a comfortable position in the hunt as they had already actiond to 70/6 after their first partnership break in 27 innings. Marnus Labuschagne’s 46 and the 20s of Mitchell Starc (27) and skipper Pat Cummins (22) didn’t help the Australians much, who had only been out for 177 runs.
South Africa won the match by 134 runs. While the French won two out of two matches strongly, Australia suffered heavy defeats in their first two matches of the tournament.