Australia blew the Proteas away in the series opener as the hosts batting gave way under scoreboard pressure.
The series now moves to St George’s Park with the Proteas needing to win to get back into the series.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
South Africa vs Australia | Sunday 23 February | St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth | 14:30
To Win Match
South Africa 31/20
Tie 35/1
Australia 52/100
South Africa
The early loss of Quinton de Kock in Johannesburg emphasized the Proteas relience on their skipper to get them off to a flying start.
The bowlers were far from perfect as well missing their lengths in the early going but they recovered. On what should be a more sporting wicket in PE the bowlers need to tighten up to stop the potent Aussie top three.
South Africa missed the presence of Temba Bavuma alongside De Kock and there were no real positives from the batting at the Wanderers but they can only improve.
Rassie van der Dussen has been good in the middle order but floundered as an opener and the Proteas might be better off sending in Faf du Plessis to partner de Kock at St George’s Park.
Australia
It is clear that Australia’s batting dangermen are the top three. Aaron Finch and David Warner are scary as an opening pair and backed up by Steve Smith the team almost always have a great platform to launch off of at the back end.
Ashton Agar was something of a surprise, both in the way he blitzed some quick runs at the death and for how he tore through the Proteas middle order with a hat-trick.
Questions about the strength of the middle order remain after a stuttering display at the Wanderers. Matthew Wade got a start but needs to close out innings when he has the chance.
Mitchell Starc’s phenomenal yorker to remove de Kock shows why he is one of the best wicket-taking fast bowlers in T20 cricket.
Verdict: Australia 55/100
A confident Australia are dangerous.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
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