Abu Dhabi, Oct 23 (UNI) Australia had to dig in deep to beat South Africa by five wickets in a low-scoring chase of 119 in the Super 12 opener of ICC T20 World Cup here on Saturday.
An unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 40 runs in 28 balls between Marcus Stoinis (24 not out) and Matthew Wade (15 not out) was what it took the Aussie side to go past the line in the last over of the game. Steve Smith contributed the most in the win with a 35-run innings in the middle-order after the top-order came a cropper.
Mitchell Starc (2/32), Josh Hazlewood (2/19) and Adam Zampa (2/17) earlier shone with the ball in the first innings to limit their rivals at 118/9. Barring Aiden Markrakm (40), none of the South Africans managed to go past the 20-run mark.
Australians have now two points in their kitty with four further matches left to play while the Proteas go bottom in the table but have plenty of time to recover for a top-two spot.
Earlier, Oz captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to field first. The decision was well backed by bowlers, who sent the top four batters of the Proteas back to the pavilion for just 46 runs in 8 overs.
Markram then made crucial 40 off 36 balls for his side; hitting three boundaries and a maximum. The in-form batter, however, received little support from the other end as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
Tailender Kagiso Rabada scored a 23-ball 19 late in the innings to help South African reach 118/9 at the end of 20 overs.
In reply, the Aussie’s innings wobbled in the powerplay with Aaron Finch (0) and David Warner (14) gone by the fifth over while the scoreboard read 20/2.
Smith got the run chase back on track by keeping the scoreboard busy while Mitchell Marsh (11) departed after a short stay from the other end.
The former Aussie captain, who scored three fours during the course of his 34-ball 35 knock, added 42 runs for the fourth wicket with Glenn Maxwell.
Trouble, however, found the Australians soon as Smith lost his wicket at a crucial juncture of the match with 38 runs needed off the last five overs.
The team certainly felt nervous as Glenn Maxwell (18) fell right after to expose Aussie lower-order. However, Stoinis and Wade ensured that they chase down the total with two balls to spare.
Anrich Nortje (2/21) made South Africans confident about their bowling for the upcoming matches while Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj picked a wicket each as well.
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