ICC T20 World Cup 2021, AUS vs SA highlights: Australia being dominant in almost every department to counter South Africa in a low scoring thriller. Josh Hazlewood grabs the man of the match for his impressive spell.
Having to bat first, the South African skipper started the innings in style taking maximum from the new ball and Mitchell Starc’s pace. But the introduction of spin early got him trapped on the back foot on a fairly full and skitty delivery.
The other opener, Quinton de Kock too got out early with Rassie Van der Dussen to give a pair of wickets to the recent IPL winning campaigner Josh Hazlewood. Getting two wickets early got Australia the boost they were hoping for.
Aiden Markram(40) was the only batter who was batting pretty solid. But the wickets tumbling on the other end, kept him silent for almost half his innings. His knock includes 3 boundaries and a six to help South Africa stretch their total to a defendable one.
After the early destruction from the pace bowlers, Adam Zampa came to light the atmosphere further salting the wounds. David Miller(16) and Dwaine Pretorius(1) were his prey and only gave about 16 runs in his full spell.
Kagiso Rabada’s late contribution really helped South Africa to take the game till the end.
Mitchell Starc’s death bowling was phenomenal picking up two wickets and not giving any sort of freebies to the batter. Thus, restricting South Africa to 118 runs.
Chasing in UAE seems relatively easy but tricky with dew coming into effect and also pitch seems to turn into the drier side, which is usually ideal for batting.
Australia were on a rough start as well, losing their skipper, Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh in the first eight overs. The pace duo Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje picked up one opener each to keep South Africa into the game.
Coming from a hot inning against India in the warm-ups, Steve Smith gave the Aussies the needed support and the run rate boost they needed. His partnership with Glenn Maxwell kept the scoreboard ticking and held on that 6 an over RR.
A good bowling change from Trevor Bavuma, bringing in Anrich Nortje to get rid of Australia’s lifeline, Steve Smith, and then, the No. 1 T20 bowler, Tabraiz Shamsi sent the dangerous Maxwell to the dugout.
Looking like a close-knit affair where anything can happen, Marcus Stoinis(24) and Matthew Wade’s(15) aggression changed the game both playing at a strike rate of 150.
Bowling from the South African team was pretty solid backed up a good captaincy decision from Trevor Bavuma. They could have made the game till the end, but Australia’s hunger for the win was too much for the Proteas to handle.
Watch the highlights of ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Australia vs South Africa.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Australia vs South Africa post game
Temba Bavuma:
“We were resilient in the game and credit to the team for making such a tight affair. Australia bowled well and did not give us many freebies. I think Aiden Markram batted very well and other batters must step up now. There were positives well in this game for us.”
Aaron Finch:
“We were pretty nervous in the end but Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade batted very well till the end. Our bowling was pretty good and Maxwell gave us that extra bit of boost in the bowling as well. The guys need to be rested keeping in mind the workload of the players and we have got some world-class players in our lineup. Credit to the South African team, they one of the best fielding sides going around and they bowled well throughout.”
Josh Hazlewood:
“The length was the key her on this wicket. I was lucky to get Quinton de Kock’s wicket. The wicket is a bit slow and we bowled really well. Maxwell was brilliant with the ball and played the role of an all-rounder.”
