Australia are through to the World Cup final after a tension-filled three-wicket win over South Africa in Kolkata.

In response to South Africa’s 212, Pat Cummins’ side made a flying start with Travis Head scoring 62 before being pegged back by the Proteas spinners and slipping to 137-5.

Cummins and Mitchell Starc kept their cool to complete a hard-fought victory with 16 balls to spare despite losing their seventh wicket with 20 runs still needed.

As the Proteas were reduced to 24-4 following superb new-ball bursts from Josh Hazlewood and Starc, David Miller came to the rescue with a determined 101 from 116 deliveries.

In the field, Australia put up a valiant effort, but it wasn’t enough to advance to the final against India in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Due to their previous success with that approach, South Africa were willing to take the risk of batting first in overcast conditions, but Starc and Hazlewood soon tore through the top order.

David Warner and Head added 60 in the first six overs, and even when the latter was bowled by Markram, the runs kept coming for Australia.

It was a tough time for South Africa’s seamers, and Head, dropped at 40, hit three successive boundaries to complete his half-century.