Australia and South Africa kicked off the Super 12 round of the T20 World Cup 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Both teams are coming into the tournament on the back of some indifferent form.
Australia won the toss and put South Africa to bat first. Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson, Kane Richardson and Josh Inglis were missing from Australia’s playing XI. On the other hand, South Africa kept Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin and Reeza Hendricks out of the playing XI.
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Australia were brilliant with the ball and restricted South Africa to 118/9 in 20 overs.
Chasing a below-par total, Australia were rocked early with Captain Aaron Finch getting out for a five-ball duck to Anrich Nortje. David Warner scored 14 runs before getting out to Kagiso Rabada. Keshav Maharaj joined the party by dismissing Mitchell Marsh as Australia were reeling at 38/3 in 8 overs.
Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell stabilized things but they were slow with their batting approach. They didn’t commit any rash shot and batted to bring calmness in Australia’s pursuit of 119 runs.
Anrich Nortje returned to bowl the 15th over and he struck gold on the second last ball. Steve Smith played a short-arm jab and the ball was flying for a boundary. Aiden Markram ran a good length to cover the ground and dived full length to complete an outstanding catch.
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Steve Smith scored 35 runs in 34 balls where he hit three fours. Australia chased down the target with five wickets in hand and two balls to spare.
Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.
