South Africa will host Australia in Durban for three T20Is through late August and early September 2023. The Proteas’ last T20I at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead was against England in 2020. The high-scoring match yielded a tight result.
England totalled 204 for seven after losing the toss. Opener Jason Roy and all-rounder Ben Stokes hit 40 and 47 not out, respectively, while all-rounder Moeen Ali capped the total with 39 not out from just 11 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes.
Seamers Lungi Ngidi and Andile Phehlukwayo shared five wickets for South Africa but copped plenty of expense at the hands of Stokes and Ali. Seamer Beuran Hendricks, too, was struck to several corners during a costly showing at Kingsmead.
Captain Quinton de Kock’s 65 from a mere 22 balls and middle-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen’s 43 not out kept the Proteas’ pursuit of a big 205-run target on track. De Kock reached 50 from 17 balls – the fastest T20I half-century by a Proteas cricketer at the time.
The enthralling contest moved to the last over – and final delivery – with South Africa requiring three runs to win or two to tie and force a super over. All-rounder Bjorn Fortuin couldn’t deliver for the hosts, instead lapping seamer Tom Curran’s closing delivery straight to short fine-leg fielder Adil Rashid. England levelled the series one-all with a two-run win.
“It was great cricket. It was just unfortunate we didn’t come across the line. It was quite difficult. They bowled really well at the death, but I think we can get better. I’m sure the bowlers know that,” said de Kock after the match.
“Rassie thrives in those sorts of situations. He played really well, handled the pressure exceptionally well. Disappointing not to get across the line.”
England won the third T20I in Centurion, too, for a two-one series win.
Australia will arrive in South Africa for their white-ball tour in August, playing three T20 Internationals at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead before heading inland to Bloem, Potch and Gauteng for five One Day Internationals.
Tickets are available now for the three T20 Internationals from TicketPro. Check out all of the key dates and times for the series:
- First T20: Wednesday 30 August – 18:00
- Second T20: Friday 1 September – 18:00
- Third T20: Sunday 3 September – 14:00
