Australia’s fielders have been lauded for their “hunting” after breathtaking display to open the World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Despite being forced to bowl first, Australia dominated the opening stanza of play, removing South Africa’s top four before rain intervened.
Central to South Africa’s slow start was some brilliant ground fielding from David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne inside the circle.
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Time and time again, the pair, widely considered Australia’s best two fielders, pulled out full-length dives to stop potential boundaries.
South African No.3 Rassie van der Dussen was left particularly frustrated after having a number of cover drives stopped before he was caught in the slips having scored just six runs off 31 deliveries.
Australian World Cup winner Shane Watson said Warner and Labuschagne’s efforts made a “big difference”.
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“The Aussie fielders have been really hunting the ball down, cutting off balls. Hoping the ball comes to them. Such a big difference in the field,” he said.
“When you are wanting the ball to come to you are wanting the ball to come to you. You can see it in the Australians.
“When the ball is not going into the gap no matter how hard you try, it keeps going to the fielders.”
The tone was set early by skipper Pat Cummins, who took a brilliant overhead catch to dismiss Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s leading runscorer at the World Cup so far.
”We talk about how good they have been in the field and saving a boundary, what sort of pressure that can build on the batsman,” ex-Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said.
“It is really hard to explain to the viewer, the diving saves and how much pressure builds on a batsman.”
Two-time World Cup-winning opener Matthew Hayden suggested fielding was behind Australia’s rise in momentum after a scratchy start to the tournament.
”Talking about hunting, this is why Australia is so good in these end stages because they hunt as a pack,” he said.
“Labuschangne and Warner in combination – I reckon they have saved 30, 35 runs already.
“Catching efficiency for Australia was down a little early, just at 60 per cent, but in the last few matches when that bit has got between the teeth, they have been really proactive.
“Hunting up in the field and just not letting the ball get out of that inner circle.”
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