The Australian’s got off to a poor start in the run chase, with skipper Aaron Finch departing in the third over after balloning one to cover off spinner Imran Tahir.
When Usman Khawaja limped off with a dodgy hamstring and Steve Smith was trapped lbw by Dwaine Pretorius, the Aussies were in a world of pain at 2/33 and a man down.
Opener David Warner withstood the early barrage, looking for a partner to stick around. Marcus Stoinis made his bid, as Warner moved passed 50, but an attempt at a quick single saw him run out for 22. Glenn Maxwell also got a start before knicking a short ball that was smartly reigned in by a leaping de Kock.
Alex Carey would be the one to provide some resistance putting on an 108-run stand with Warner, allowing the opener to notch up his third century of the tournament. It took a brilliant catch at mid-on by Chris Morris to remove him and Australia looked done at 5/227.
Carey continued the fight scoring a half century himself but when he fell in the 45th over, the Aussies still required 50 from the last five. Khawaja briefly returned and some late hitting by the tail wasn’t enough as the reigning World Cup holders fell agonisingly short.