Saturday, Oct 23 2021 | Time 21:00 Hrs(IST)
image
SportsPosted at: Oct 23 2021 8:42PM


T20 WC: Australia beat South Africa by 5 wickets in Super 12 opener

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.
UNI KND SHK2040
Tags: #T20 WC: Australia beat South Africa by 5 wickets in Super 12 opener
More News
India have strong opponent Oman in their opening play at AFC CUP Qualifiers under-23 on Sunday

India have strong opponent Oman in their opening play at AFC CUP Qualifiers under-23 on Sunday

23 Oct 2021 | 8:11 PM

Dubai, Oct 23 (UNI) On the eve of their opening play against strong contender Oman in Group E
on Sunday in the qualifiers for the AFC U23 Asian Cup, India head coach Igor Stimac reminded
his boys that they have three matches to play which will provide them a chance to gauge “where
they stand against their generation” of other Asian footballing nations.

see more..

Pargat Singh promises to make Punjab the sports nursery of the country

23 Oct 2021 | 7:24 PM

Jalandhar/Chandigarh, Oct 23 (UNI) Hockey Olympian and Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Pargat Singh who steered India in Olympics Hockey twice on Saturday announced a road map to make Punjab the sports nursery of the country.

see more..

Punjab: 38th Surjit Hockey Tournament kicks off at the Katoch Stadium

23 Oct 2021 | 7:18 PM

Jalandhar, Oct 23 (UNI) The prestigious Surjit Hockey Tournament kicked off on Saturday at the Vajra Corps Katoch Stadium in Jalandhar cantonment.

see more..
Records are meant for breaking: Babar on Pak's past record against India

Records are meant for breaking: Babar on Pak's past record against India

23 Oct 2021 | 5:49 PM

Dubai, Oct 23 (UNI) Pakistan should not think about the past but focus on the present, because records are made to be broken, Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam said on Saturday while replying to a query on India winning all the previous encounters between the two teams in world cup tournaments.

see more..
Ind v/s Pak: Debutant T20 WC skippers get ready for 'mother of all' clashes

Ind v/s Pak: Debutant T20 WC skippers get ready for 'mother of all' clashes

23 Oct 2021 | 5:09 PM

Dubai, Oct 23 (UNI) Cricket fans across the sub-continent especially those from India and Pakistan are expecting a mega battle on Sunday between the arch-rivals, when they lock horns in the Super 12's group of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup here.

see more..
image