Australia
Australia win Women’s T20 World Cup for 3rd straight time
Australia won the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, beating host South Africa by a comfortable 19 runs to underline their status as the best team in the world with a third straight title.
Australia have now won six of the eight T20 World Cups played.
The latest victory at Newlands came through a disciplined bowling and fielding effort from the Australians, who batted first and scored 156-6, then shut down South Africa’s batters, who never came close.
South Africa finished well short on 137-6.
“We felt like it was a good score but we had to bowl well,” Australia captain Meg Lanning said. “We had to put pressure on South Africa. It was about enjoying the process and doing what we were doing, about keeping things simple when the pressure is on.”
Lanning has now led Australia to four T20 World Cup titles and one ODI World Cup title, more ICC tournament wins than any other captain in men’s or women’s cricket.
Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Darcie Brown and Jess Jonassen all took a wicket each for Australia, but it was a team effort in the field as the Aussies’ big-match temperament shone through.
Read more: Tamim brushes off reports of 'rift' in Bangladesh dressing room
Australia were playing in their seventh straight final.
“You guys are very annoying,” South Africa captain Sune Luus said, jokingly, of Australia’s all-conquering squad. “But congratulations to Meg and the team. You are setting the benchmark for other teams to live up to.”
Australia’s total was built on opener Beth Mooney’s 74 from 53 balls and 29 off 21 from Gardner, who was promoted to No. 3.
No one else got to the 20 mark for Australia but it was enough.
Opener Laura Wolvaardt top-scored for South Africa with 61 from 48 but Australia’s bowling was tight and disciplined throughout and the South Africans couldn’t ever break free. The hosts only had a glimpse of a chance when they needed 59 off the last five overs with Wolvaardt still there.
Her partnership of 55 with Chloe Tryon (25) threatened to lead to a late challenge from South Africa, but Schutt trapped Wolvaardt lbw in the 17th over to break that stand and South Africa’s hopes of a first title in their first appearance in a final went with her.
Tryon was out in the next over, two balls after cracking a six over long-on, and Australia closed it out, conceding just 39 runs off those last five overs.
Philippines eyes South China Sea patrols with US, Australia
The Philippines is in talks with the United States as well as Australia on future joint patrols in the South China Sea, where China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters are causing concern, top defense officials in the three nations said Wednesday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called his Philippine counterpart, Carlito Galvez Jr., to reiterate Washington’s support and commitment to help defend its oldest treaty ally in Asia after a Chinese coast guard aimed a military-grade laser at a Philippine patrol vessel near a disputed shoal.
The Feb. 6 incident off Second Thomas Shoal briefly blinded some of the Filipino crew and prompted Manila to file a strongly worded diplomatic protest. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also summoned China’s ambassador to express his concern.
Also Read: US renews warning it’ll defend Philippines after China spat
“The two leaders discussed proposals to deepen operational cooperation and enhance the United States and the Philippines’ shared security, including the recent decision to resume combined maritime activities in the South China Sea,” according to details of the phone conversation provided by Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
During Austin's visit to Manila this month, Galvez and U.S. officials had said the allies agreed to carry out joint patrols.
Separately, Galvez and visiting Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said in a news conference on Wednesday that they were looking at Australian and Philippine forces possibly carrying out their joint patrols in the busy waterway.
Also Read: US, Philippines agree on larger American military presence
As countries asserting the rule of law, including the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, in the South China Sea, where a bulk of Australia’s trade traverses, “we did talk today about the possibility of exploring joint patrols,” Marles said, without elaborating.
Australian and Philippine forces have undertaken joint patrols off the southern Philippines in the past to counter terrorist threats, Galvez said, and added, “We can do it again."
Aside from the United States, Australia is the only other country that struck a defense agreement with the Philippines for joint combat exercises in the country. The Philippine Constitution prohibits the permanent basing of foreign troops and their involvement in local combat.
Austin announced after meeting Marcos on Feb. 2 that the Philippines had approved an expanded U.S. military presence by allowing rotating batches of U.S. forces to stay in four more Philippine military camps, in addition to five others.
It was the latest move by the Biden administration to strengthen an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan.
Austin reaffirmed in his talk with Galvez on Wednesday the U.S. Defense Department’s “commitment to bolstering the Philippines’ defense capabilities and capacity to resist coercion as the allies develop a security-sector assistance roadmap.” No details of the mutual security plan were immediately provided.
China opposes military activities involving the U.S. and its allies, especially in the South China Sea, and has warned Washington not to meddle in what it says is a purely Asian dispute.
Chinese forces have protested the presence of U.S. Navy ships and fighter jets that have been enforcing freedom of movement in the contested waters. The U.S. military insists it would exercise its rights under international law to sail and fly in international waters.
In Jakarta, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Wednesday that China would work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is currently led by Indonesia, to hasten negotiations on a proposed nonaggression pact, which is designed to avoid armed confrontations in the South China Sea.
“China and Indonesia will work with other ASEAN countries to … accelerate consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly maintain the peace and stability in the South China Sea fully and effectively.” Gang said in an online press conference.
The highly secretive talks between China and the 10-nation ASEAN, whose four members are locked in territorial conflicts with Beijing over the strategic waterway, have faced years of delay, including during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
China and the regional bloc have agreed to speed up the negotiations this year but it's unclear how they can overcome key differences, including which areas should be covered by the pact and whether the agreement should be legally binding.
Australia cruises past Bangladesh at Women's T20 World Cup
Australia legspinner Georgia Wareham made the most of her first international match in more than a year, taking 3-20 as the defending champions eased to victory over Bangladesh by eight wickets at the Women's T20 World Cup on Tuesday.
Australia joined Sri Lanka with two wins from two in Group 1 and went back to the top on net run rate.
Wareham, whose last international was in October 2021, was pivotal as Australia limited Bangladesh to 107-7, where only captain Nigar Sultana's 57 from 50 balls stood out.
The Aussies were untroubled in their chase, cruising to 111-2 in 18.2 overs and led home by captain Meg Lanning, who barely got out of second gear in her 48 not out.
Opener Alyssa Healy hit 37 from 36 at the top to put the world's top-ranked team on the way to another impressive win. Australia beat New Zealand by a whopping 97 runs in the first game of its title defense.
Australia is the dominant force in women's cricket and has won five of the seven T20 World Cups and is seeking a third straight title.
Read more: BPL 2023 Final Preview: Sylhet Strikers vs Comilla Victorians, Who Will Win the Title?
Wareham had a long road back to international cricket after rupturing a ligament in her left knee more than a year ago.
On her comeback, the 23-year-old spinner picked up the wickets of Sobhana Mostary (7), Shorna Akter (12) and Rumana Ahmed (4) in Bangladesh's middle order as Australia took control and never relinquished it in the first game of the World Cup in Gqeberha, the city formerly known as Port Elizabeth.
“It’s pretty special any time to play for your country,” Wareham said. “To do that at the World Cup and get a few wickets, it’s pretty cool.”
India is back in action Wednesday against West Indies and could join England with two wins from two in Group 2.
India is also expected to be boosted by the return of star batter Smriti Mandhana, who is set to come back into the team after missing the opening win over Pakistan with a finger injury.
Mandhana is likely to be in good spirits after she was the most expensive player to be bought at the Women's Premier League auction in India on Monday.
The top two teams from each of the two preliminary groups advance straight to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup. The teams currently in position to progress are Australia, Sri Lanka, England and India.
Australian banknotes will no longer feature the British monarchy
Australia is removing the British monarchy from its bank notes.
The nation's central bank said Thursday its new $5 bill would feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III. But the king is still expected to appear on coins.
The $5 bill was Australia’s only remaining bank note to still feature an image of the monarch.
The bank said the decision followed consultation with the government, which supported the change. Opponents say the move is politically motivated.
The British monarch remains Australia's head of state, although these days that role is largely symbolic. Like many former British colonies, Australia is debating to what extent it should retain its constitutional ties to Britain.
Australia's Reserve Bank said the new $5 bill would feature a design to replace a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, who died last year. The bank said the move would honor “the culture and history of the First Australians.”
“The other side of the $5 banknote will continue to feature the Australian parliament," the bank said in a statement.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the change was an opportunity to strike a good balance.
“The monarch will still be on the coins, but the $5 note will say more about our history and our heritage and our country, and I see that as a good thing,” he told reporters in Melbourne.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton likened the move to changing the date of the national day, Australia Day.
“I know the silent majority don’t agree with a lot of the woke nonsense that goes on but we’ve got to hear more from those people online,” he told 2GB Radio.
Dutton said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was central to the decision for the king not to appear on the note, urging him to “own up to it."
The bank plans to consult with Indigenous groups in designing the $5 note, a process it expects will take several years before the new note goes public.
The current $5 will continue to be issued until the new design is introduced and will remain legal tender even after the new bill goes into circulation.
The face of King Charles III is expected to be seen on Australian coins later this year.
One Australian dollar is worth about 71 cents in U.S. currency.
Read more: France, Australia to supply Ukraine with artillery shells
France, Australia to supply Ukraine with artillery shells
France and Australia announced Monday plans to jointly produce and send several thousand 155-millimeter artillery shells to Ukraine, starting in the coming weeks.
The multimillion-dollar plan is the latest offer of support for Ukraine by both countries, and comes amid growing appeals from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for heavy weaponry and long-term supplies from Western allies nearly a year into Russia's war on Ukraine.
The joint announcement, made by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, also appeared aimed at sending a signal that the two countries have overcome a damaging dispute over submarines.
Australia secretly jettisoned a $60 billion contract for conventional French submarines in 2021 in favor of a deal for nuclear-powered submarines made by the U.S. and Britain instead, deeply harming French-Australian relations.
Read more: France’s defense minister goes to Ukraine to boost support
The production of artillery shells for Ukraine will be led by French manufacturer Nexter in cooperation with Australian manufacturers, the defense ministers said. They did not provide further details, citing national security.
“I’m pleased to announce that Australia and France are working together to supply 155-millimeter ammunition to Ukraine, to make sure Ukraine is able to stay in this conflict and see it concluded on its own terms,” Marles said.
Lecornu said they aim to send the first shells in the first quarter of this year, and that the project is meant to secure a steady supply of shells to Ukraine over time.
Australia eyes strengthening defence cooperation with Bangladesh to promote "inclusive" Indo-Pacific region
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has said Australia is looking forward to strengthening their defence cooperation with Bangladesh to promote a "secure, prosperous and inclusive" Indo-Pacific region.
"We have established a defence office in Bangladesh with a resident Defence Adviser to strengthen relationships between the defence forces of our two countries," he said.
This development was followed by Bangladesh’s participation in Indo-Pacific Endeavour, one of Australia’s key regional defence engagements, and Australia’s participation in Bangladesh’s International Fleet Review in 2022.
The High Commissioner said Australian businesses are increasingly interested in Bangladesh as demand rises for their high-quality products and services.
He said Australian businesses see further opportunities to diversify trade and investment with Bangladesh in textiles and apparel, agricultural products such as wool, agribusiness, fisheries, food and beverages, minerals, manufacturing, information and communications technology services, skills development and education services.
Australia is also well-placed to supply energy resources, such as LNG, to help fuel Bangladesh’s growing demand for electricity, said the envoy.
"Our nations also share a love of sport, especially cricket, and many Australians have played with, trained, coached and befriended Bangladeshi players. Our cooperation in arts and culture is also growing, with participation by Australian artists in arts and literary events in Bangladesh, and by Bangladeshis in Australian events," said Bruer.
On 26 January, Australia Day, Australians around the world unite to mark Australia.
It is a chance to acknowledge the past, recognise the present and look optimistically towards the future.
Read more: Australia assessing viability of 2nd spl flight from Dhaka to Melbourne
"Today, we reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia, to acknowledge our history and connect with other Australians. We reflect on our diverse society, including our landscape, our resilience and innovation, and our bright future," said the High Commissioner in a message.
Australia Day is a day to acknowledge, interrogate and reflect upon their history.
Australia doesn’t date back merely to 1788.
For more than 60,000 years, Australia was cared for by the Aboriginal people, who represent one of the oldest continuing cultures on earth.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the traditional custodians of our lands and waterways.
They occupy a fundamental position in Australia’s story.
For many indigenous Australians, Australia Day represents the complexities and hardship caused by European settlement. We recognise this history, and we respect and honour our first Australians on our national day.
"Today, Australia is an outward-looking country, strongly connected to the rest of the world. It is also the most successful multicultural society in the world, a country built on migration," he said.
People from over 200 countries, including Bangladesh, have chosen to call Australia home.
And, as a multicultural country, Australia has benefited from its belief in diversity, inclusion and tolerance – values we hold dear.
Australia and Bangladesh are old friends, sharing Commonwealth traditions and strong links.
"Australia is proud to have been one of the first countries to recognise the newly independent nation of Bangladesh, in January 1972," said the High Commissioner.
Last year, they celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
"Today, I recall with considerable satisfaction that Australia assisted Bangladesh’s admission to the United Nations in December 1971, and with bipartisan support in our parliament," said the High Commissioner.
In January 1975, the then prime minister, Gough Whitlam, visited Bangladesh and met his Bangladeshi counterpart, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation.
"Our friendship will endure because of its strong and authentic foundation. The only foreigner ever to have received the Bir Protik — one of Bangladesh’s highest awards for bravery — was an Australian citizen, William Ouderland. Ouderland organised and trained the guerrilla fighters of the Mukati Bahini and provided them with food and shelter and medicine."
Links between Australia and Bangladesh, including sporting links, go back a long way before Australia’s support for Bangladesh’s independence.
In 1877, one of the players in the Australian team playing the first Test match in history, Bransby Beauchamp Cooper, was born here in Dhaka, when it was part of British India.
Australia and Bangladesh enjoy close people-to-people links, nurtured over many years of migration, and through sport and education.
About 80,000 people of Bangladeshi origin have settled in Australia, and we have welcomed thousands of Bangladeshi students studying in Australia’s world class institutions.
"Our Australia Awards program, which provides scholarships for Bangladeshi students to undertake master’s degrees in Australia, has produced over 3,000 Bangladeshi alumni," said the High Commissioner.
He said many of them today are occupying important and influential positions, and making great contributions to Bangladesh’s development.
Each year about 200 Bangladeshi nationals receive Australian Government scholarships to study masters degrees and short courses at Australian institutions.
Australia and Bangladesh are both active members of multilateral institutions such as the UN, WTO, the Commonwealth and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the only ministerial-level forum in the Indian Ocean.
"Australia continues to support Bangladesh in its role as IORA chair. We remain committed to the aims and purposes of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to the promotion and protection of human rights," said the High Commissioner.
Australia is supporting a range of development investments to support Bangladesh’s transition to a middle-income country.
This includes support for inclusive education, skills development, poverty alleviation, social protection and private-sector engagement.
Supporting and providing economic opportunities for the most disadvantaged and marginalised, including women and girls and people with disabilities, is a priority in all our programs.
"Bangladesh has a young population. So investing in an educated and suitably skilled workforce is crucial to maintaining economic growth and recovery from the pandemic," said the High Commissioner.
The long-standing Strategic Partnership Arrangement (SPA) with BRAC means that Australian aid reaches a large number of people throughout Bangladesh.
"We are contributing $85 million from 2021 to 2026 to the third phase of the SPA. Our Social Security Policy Support program is supporting the Bangladesh Government’s reforms to strengthen the social security system," said the Australian envoy.
"Additionally, we support more than 50 national and international NGOs through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), focusing on inclusive development across the country. We’re also supporting viable private sector opportunities through Australia’s Business Partnerships Platform and the forthcoming Emerging Markets Impact Investment Fund."
Australia recognises the impact on communities hosting over 919,000 displaced Rohingya, who rely on humanitarian assistance to survive.
Read more: Pahela Baishakh: US, Australian envoys greet Bangladeshis
Australia will continue to work to find a durable solution and to pursue accountability and justice for the Rohingya as a result of the abuses they have suffered.
In the meantime, the envoy said, they remain committed to helping Bangladesh and humanitarian actors to meet the needs of Rohingya and host community members in Cox’s Bazar.
In 2022-23, Australia will provide AUD135 million (building on AUD480 million provided since 2017) to address humanitarian crises in Myanmar, as well as to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, providing essential protection, education and health services for those most in need, including women, girls and people with disabilities.
Two-way trade between Australia and Bangladesh has grown substantially over the last decade, reaching AUD3 billion in 2021-22, with balanced imports and exports.
Bangladesh’s exports to Australia are largely ready-made garments, leather accessories, processed food and jute. Bangladesh is Australia’s largest chickpea market.
The Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) signed with Bangladesh on 15 September 2021 was a significant achievement that recognised the strength and depth of the economic relationship.
Under the TIFA, both countries are working together to grow and diversify trade and investment opportunities.
Bruer said are proud of their shared history and of the warm, multifaceted and mutually beneficial relationship that exists between our two countries.
"I look forward to the next 50 years of friendship between Australia and Bangladesh," he said.
Australia pulls out of Afghanistan cricket series
Australia has pulled out of its upcoming men’s one-day international cricket series against Afghanistan, citing further restrictions on women’s rights imposed in the country by the ruling Taliban government.
Australia was set to meet Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates for three matches in March. But following consultation with the Australian government and other groups, Cricket Australia said Thursday it would scrap the series.
Read more: Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats
When Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021, the extremist group banned women from playing sports on the grounds that doing so would contravene Islamic laws requiring their hair and skin to be covered.
In a statement on Thursday, Cricket Australia said the decision to withdraw from the men’s one-day international series followed recent Taliban restrictions placed on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms.
“CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country,” CA said.
The cancellation of the series comes after Australia cited similar reasons for scrapping a one-off test match against Afghanistan that had been set to be played in Hobart, Australia in November 2021.
Read more: 4 NGOs suspend work in Afghanistan after Taliban bar women
In December, the Taliban banned women from completing higher education, having prohibited attendance at gyms and parks a month earlier.
According to the United Nations, women are also banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade and working most jobs outside of their homes.
In November 2021, the ICC formed a working group aiming to support and review women’s and men’s cricket in Afghanistan but more than a year later, the country remains the only full member of the ICC without a fully operational women’s team.
Khawaja and Smith hit milestones at SCG against South Africa
Usman Khawaja made his highest test score, Steve Smith scored a milestone century and Australia reached a commanding 475-4 when rain forced an early end to the second day of the third and final test against South Africa.
Khawaja made an unbeaten 195 off 368 balls, with 19 boundaries and a six, and had earlier Thursday shared an epic 209-run partnership with Steve Smith, who made his 30th test century and also became Australia fourth-highest run scorer in tests in front of his home Sydney Cricket Ground fans.
Marnus Labuschagne (79) and Travis Head (70) both scored half-centuries as Australia dominated a placid South Africa attack and placed themselves in a strong position to still force a result in a game that has had frequent bad light and rain delays.
Khawaja raised his third consecutive SCG hundred before lunch Thursday and then pushed past his previous highest test score of 174 — against New Zealand at Brisbane in 2015 — to close in on his maiden double-century.
“It was a great innings, I thought he played exceptionally well from ball one," Smith said on Khawaja's landmark innings. "He was nice and patient when he needed to be and played the spin well. Hopefully he can get two or even three hundred tomorrow potentially.”
Khawaja was given a life on 119 when he offered a sharp shin-height chance which Anrich Nortje missed at gully after losing sight of the ball.
Read more: Australia crushes South Africa inside 2 days in 1st test
Earlier, Smith made 104 to join former Australia opening batter Matt Hayden on 30 test centuries. Only Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32) have more among Australian men’s test players.
It was Smith’s fourth century at his home ground and came from 190 balls, with 11 boundaries and two sixes with the former captain receiving a prolonged standing ovation from the 27,663 SCG crowd.
“I didn't feel great my first 60-70 balls but after that things started to click and I started felt a lot better," Smith said about his cautious start Thursday. ”Pleased I was able to get through that initial period and give myself a chance."
Next over Smith chipped a simple return catch to Keshav Maharaj (1-108) in what was the only blemish in an otherwise flawless four-hour innings.
“It was a sign of relief more than anything else," said Maharaj about his first wicket in a tough series for the spinner. "Everyone wants wickets when you're a bowler, it's like a batter who always wants runs, so to get the wicket was a nice sort of relief for me.”
On the way to his latest ton Smith passed Hayden (8,625 runs) and Michael Clarke (8,643) for career runs and is now the fourth-highest Australian test run scorer with 8,647 runs, behind Ponting (13,378), Allan Border (11,174) and Waugh (10,927). Smith averages over 60 runs an innings across his 92 tests.
“I don't play for that kind of stuff but it was cool to look up and see my name amongst those great players, so it was pretty special.”
After twin centuries in a triumphant return to test cricket against England last year, Khawaja had earlier completed his 13th hundred off 206 balls, with nine boundaries as he and Smith serenely accumulated runs after resuming the day at 147-2.
Khawaja made 137 and 101 not out against England in the test here last year to firmly re-establish himself in Australia’s batting lineup after being dropped during the 2019 Ashes series.
Khawaja and Head combined for a brisk 112 run partnership before Head holed out in the deep off Rabada (1-119).
Read more: South Africa Clinch Test Series with a Dominant Victory Over India in the Third Test
Shortly after play commenced Wednesday, Australia team management advised that batter Matt Renshaw — in the team for the injured Cameron Green — had reported feeling unwell shortly before the match and had subsequently returned a positive test for COVID-19 but would still take part in the match.
Renshaw, in his first test since 2018, was separated from the remainder of his teammates and moved into another changing room at the SCG. He batted as expected at No. 6 and was five not out at the end of the day's play.
International Cricket Council regulations state Renshaw is permitted to play in the match as long he feels well enough, with the option for a like-for-like substitute if he was unable to play.
Australia has already won the series after two crushing defeats in the first two tests at Brisbane and Melbourne.
A win for Australia in this third test would confirm its place in the world test championship final to be played at Lord’s in England in June this year.
Australia crushes South Africa inside 2 days in 1st test
Australia’s bowlers ripped through South Africa’s brittle batting lineup again Sunday to complete a six-wicket victory in a wild series-opening test that saw 34 wickets fall inside two days.
Australia resumed on 145-5 and was bowled out for 218 shortly before lunch on Day 2, taking a 66-run first-innings lead. The Australians then skittled South Africa for 99 in the second innings, with skipper Pat Cummins taking a five-wicket haul. Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets each. In the process Starc became the seventh Australian bowler to take 300 career test wickets.
On a green, grassy pitch offering plenty of assistance for bowlers, and with two of the best bowling attacks in the world going head to head, wickets tumbled at the Gabba.
In keeping with the pattern of the match, Australia made heavy work in chasing the modest 34 runs needed for victory, losing four wickets before Marnus Labuschagne completed the job in the 8th over of the innings.
Kagiso Rabada (4-13) took all four wickets to fall in Australia's second innings, including David Warner, who was caught at slip for three and will be under further pressure to retain his place in the team heading into the Boxing Day test at Melbourne.
“Wasn’t much fun for us batters out there, to be honest,” said Steve Smith, who scored 36 and 6 in the match. "It was a very challenging wicket. Lots of seam movement, very up and down, divots on the wicket.
“So, wasn’t much fun but fortunately we were on the right end of it.”
Read more: South Africa pulls out of scheduled ODI series in Australia
Earlier Sunday, Rabada took three wickets to help restrict Australia's first-innings lead, while Marco Jansen (3-32) took the key wickets of Travis Head and Cameron Green within three balls to end a dangerous counterattack.
Jansen first had Green (18) edging through a sharp chance to Maharaj at third slip, who could only parry the ball up for Sarel Erwee to complete the catch running around from his first slip position.
Two balls later Jansen got the big wicket of Head, who fell in the nineties for the second time in three tests this summer, when he was caught behind down the leg side after the merest of touches off his glove.
Head made 92 off 96 balls, with 13 boundaries and a six, in his usual counter-punching style and was the only batsman to appear comfortable in navigating the tricky Gabba pitch conditions.
Lungi Ngidi (1-35) removed Starc with a sharp caught and bowled chance for 14, before Rabada removed Cummins and Nathan Lyon for ducks to ensure their was no wag in Australia's tail.
Australia would have been disappointed to have not built a bigger lead but Cummins ensured that the final 20 minutes of the morning session were fruitful by trapping Dean Elgar (2) lbw in the second over.
Australia doubled-down on its breakthrough with Starc (2-26) taking his 300th test wicket in trademark style by bowling van der Dussen through the gate with an in-swinging delivery.
“(It's) very cool, I'm very privileged,” said Starc, who is the seventh Australian to achieve the 300-wicket milestone. "I’ll reflect on it more later. It's one to reflect on when it’s all done.
“The last 18 months, two years has been some of the best test cricket I’ve played.”
After lunch, Khaya Zondo (36 not out) and Temba Bavuma showed some brief resistance to whittle away Australia's lead but Nathan Lyon struck having Bavuma trapped lbw to trigger a collapse of 6 wickets for just 22 runs.
Boland (2-14) struck twice in the next over to remove Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen for ducks, before Keshav Maharaj (16) was caught behind off Starc.
Cummins took the remaining three wickets for his eighth five-wicket haul to set up what appeared a modest target of 34 runs for victory before the pitch again proved treacherous for Australia's top order.
“I think so, in Australia anyway, in terms of pace and bounce and seam,” said Smith when asked after the test if it was the toughest pitch he's batted on. “It’s not too often you see a test match over in two days.”
Read more: South Africa Clinch Test Series with a Dominant Victory Over India in the Third Test
The last time Australia won a test in less than two days was in 2002 when Stephen Waugh’s team dismissed Pakistan for 59 and 53 in Sharjah.
The quality of the pitch will be under the scope, with the contest far more in favor of the bowlers than usual.
South Africa skipper Elgar said he didn't think it was a fair contest.
“Still trying to wrap my brain around what’s happened," he said. The pitch “was pretty spicy."
Argentina vs Australia FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Streaming: Where and how to watch Live online, TV Channel, predicted XI, Round 16
Know here all the details related to the livestreaming and predicted XI of FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16 match between Lionel Messi's Argentina vs Australia.
FIFA World Cup Group stage was filled with some exciting matches. Here comes the knockout stages where the stakes will be much higher every game. The teams that lose, go home. It is as simple as that. One of the biggest matches in this round is of Argentina taking on Australia. Lionel Messi's team started off the tournament with a shock loss to Saudi Arabia. It seemed all was done and dusted as far as Messi's dream of winning the World Cup was concerned. However, it was not to be. Argentina won both their next matches against Poland and Mexico to qualify for the Round of 16.
They are up against a spirited Australia, who have pulled off some surprises as well. After being thrashed by France 4-1, they showed remarkable nerves to win the next two matches against Tunisia and Denmark to qualify for the next round. The Aussies would be quite chuffed about the fact that they play against Messi's team.
Where and how to watch FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs Australia live in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh viewers can watch the match live on all of these channels: BTV, T Sports, PTE LTD and Viacom 18.
Argentina vs Australia match on Toffee apps live-The digital platform powered by Banglalink Bangladesh viewers can also enjoy live stream online the World Cup games on Toffee, the digital platform powered by Banglalink.
Read More: Messi fans from Asia cheer on Argentina
Argentina vs Australia Match Live on Facebook and Youtube
Many Facebook pages and YouTube channels also live the match
How to watch Argentina vs Australia live stream in India
In India, the World Cup is being televised on Sports18, but every game is being shown for free and in 4K via the JioCinema app. You can live stream Argentina vs Australia on Thursday night.Coverage is available in Hindi, English, Malayalam, Bengali and Tamil, and the JioCinema app is compatible with Chromecast, so you can get a big-screen experience.
Anyone outside of India who wants to watch their home World Cup coverage can just pick up a good VPN and follow the instructions above to safely live stream the action.How to watch Argentina vs Australia live stream in Australia
Football fans in Australia can watch Argentina vs Australia, along with every World Cup 2022 game, on free-to-air SBS. You can tune in on TV or live stream Argentina vs Australia using SBS On Demand.
SBS on Demand is free to use and works on a range of smart devices including mobile phones, smart TVs and web browsers.
Also read; FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Switzerland march into Round of 16 after victory over Serbia
How to watch Argentina vs Australia live stream World Cup 2022 soccer in the US without cableSoccer fans in the US can watch Argentina vs Australia on FS1 and Peacock TV, with kick-off set for 11am ET / 8am PT on Sunday morning.
FS1 shares TV rights to the 2022 World Cup group stage with Fox, but Fox will be showing every game of the knockouts.
Argentina vs Australia live stream without cable
If you don't have cable TV, a cord-cutting service is what you need for instant access to Fox and FS1. Sling Blue is the cheapest option. It's $40 per month but you can get your first month half-price with this discount.
Also read: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Vincent Aboubakar’s late goal sinks Brazil
FuboTV is another good option. It carries both Fox and FS1, and over 100 channels besides, and allows you to watch the World Cup 2022 in 4K HDR. It's more expensive at $69.99 a month, but first there's a FREE FuboTV trial.
Every game of the World Cup is also being shown on Peacock TV, but the catch is that commentary will be in Spanish. To make up for that, Argentina vs Australia and a few other games are being shown for FREE. The Peacock price comes in at $4.99 a month and the service also offers live coverage of the NFL, EPL and WWE.
If you subscribe to Sling, Peacock or any other US streaming service, and find yourself unable to access coverage because you're out of the country, consider using a VPN – we rate ExpressVPN as the best of the best.
How to watch Argentina vs Australia live stream in UK
Football fans in the UK can watch Argentina vs Australia live stream for free on BBC iPlayer, along with many more World Cup 2022 games, as coverage of the tournament is split evenly between the BBC and ITV.
Every BBC game will be on BBC TV channels in HD and also live streamed on BBC iPlayer in glorious 4K HDR. Just make sure you possess a valid TV license and that your device is 4K-compatible with iPlayer.
Away from home in the UK right now? No worries:Use ExpressVPN to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad.
BBC iPlayer is free to use and works across a wide range of devices including smart TVs, laptops, games consoles, mobile phones, tablets and streaming sticks. You can watch all the other World Cup 2022 live streams for free on ITV Hub.
How to watch Argentina vs Australia live stream in Canada
TSN is the place to watch every 2022 World Cup soccer game in Canada. If you get the channel as part of your cable deal, you'll be able to log in with the details of your provider for access
Argentina vs Australia live stream. If you don't have cable, you can subscribe to TSN on a streaming-only basis for $19.99 a month or $199.90 per year.
If you decide to subscribe, or already have, remember you can take your favorite sports streaming service with you wherever you go – just try our No. 1 overall rated VPN 100% risk-free for 30-days and follow the instructions
How to watch live Argentina vs Australia Match live from Iran and other countries?
If you're abroad during World Cup 2022, and want to tune into your usual home coverage, you'll most likely find yourself geo-blocked and will need to use a VPN to unlock your access.
A VPN is a piece of software that allows you to change your apparent location and World 2022 live streams from any country and streaming service you need. They're easy to use and super-secure. We rate ExpressVPN as the best VPN for streaming.
Argentina vs Australia Match live on TV Channels
Bangladesh: BTV, Gazi TV, T-SportsIndia: Sports18, Sports18 HD, Sony TV NetworksPakistan: ARY Digital NetworkNepal: Media Hub Private LimitedMalaysia: Astro GOSingapore: Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatchNew Zealand: Sky Go, Sky Sport NOWIndian Subcontinent: Sony Network
Where and What time and date will the FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina vs Australia match are played?
The FIFA World Cup 2022 match between Argentina vs Australia will be played at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar. The FIFA World Cup 2022 match between Argentina vs Australia will begin at 12:30 am IST.
Argentina vs Australia lineups: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Predicted lineup
Argentina predicted XI vs Australia (4-3-1-2): E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
Australia predicted XI vs Argentina (4-2-2): Ryan; Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Leckie, Irvine, Mooy, Goodwin; Duke, McGree. Argentina vs Australia.
Head-to-head record between Argentina & Australia
Argentina and Australia have met on seven occasions, though Saturday's game will be the first World Cup meeting between them. La Albiceleste have the upper hand in the all-time series with 5
victories, a draw and just one loss:Quite simply, if Argentina's national soccer team suffer a defeat, they would be knocked out of the tournament in the last 16. For the World Cup, the Knockout Round consists of one-game playoffs.
Read More: Argentina try to avoid Australia upset to keep Messi's dream alive