1st T20I, Durban, August 30, 2023, 09:30 PM
Australia
226/6(20.0ov)
South Africa
115/10(15.3ov)
Australia beat South Africa by 111 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Mitchell Marsh
Commentry
Right then, that is it from a one-sided affair where Australia demolished South Africa to take an early lead in the series while the hosts will hope to level it in the next match. That game will be played on 1st September, Friday at 9.30 pm IST (4 pm GMT), but as you all know you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Mitchell Marsh is the player of the match for his sensational knock of 92 not out. He says it feels nice to start a three-match series with a victory. Says that it was a long process with his injury and he feels good to be back playing and contributing to the side's winning cause. Mentions that the way Tim batted took the pressure off him in the middle stage. Also mentions that Tanveer Sangha is a fantastic young talent and has been doing stuff like this in the Big Bash League on a regular basis.
Aiden Markram says that the wicket played really well and something around 200 was chasable. Adds that this series is an opportunity for them to see some of the youngsters perform but they also want it to be competitive as well. Says that they looked a bit rusty but there were a few positives and they will look to bounce back in the next game.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Earlier in the game after being asked to bat first the visitors in Australia came out all guns blazing as they stormed through the innings scoring heavily against all the bowlers and smashing 226 in their innings. Skipper Mitchell Marsh was absolutely sensational with the bat as he batted the length of a good 20 overs remaining not out on 92. He was well complimented by Tim David who scored a 64 as well. Aaron Hardie played a good cameo of 23 runs right at the end. Lizaad Williams was good with the ball as he grabbed 3 wickets. Everyone else apart from Lungi Ngidi took a wicket but the total proved to be too much for the South African batters in the end.
Bowling from the Aussies was spot on from the very first over. The bowlers never let the Porteas get a grip in the run chase and kept taking wickets on a regular basis breaking the backbone of the chase. Tanveer Sangha was a standout as he scalped 4 wickets in the middle muddle on his debut. The Hulk Marcus Stoinis couldn't do much with the bat but contributed heavily with the ball in his hands as he scalped 3. Spencer Johnson took a couple on his debut as well and Sean Abbott took a wicket too.
The run chase did not start as per expectations for the Proteas as they lost Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram early on in the powerplay. It was then a counterattack after struggling in the first couple of over from Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen that helped the hosts manage to score 53 in the powerplay. The hosts kept on losing wickets in a cluster which hampered the scoring rate and pulled them out of the contest. Reeza Hendricks fought hard as he scored 56 runs but was not helped by any other batter in chasing a mammoth total set by the visitors.
Ruthless batting and spot-on bowling helped the visitors in Australia to defeat the Proteas and start the tour on a victorious note as they inflicted a 111-run defeat on the hosts in the first T20I. This 111-run victory is the biggest win in terms of margin of victory for Australia against the Proteas in T20I.
In over# 16
0W
1wd
0
0W
Spencer Johnson 33/2(3.3)
15.3
W
OUT! CASTLED! Spencer Johnson finishes things off here! He bowls this a touch fuller and around middle, nips back in a shy bit, Tabraiz Shamsi stays there but is too late to put his bat down in time as the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 111 RUNS & TAKE A 1-0 LEAD IN THE SERIES!
15.3
1wd
Spencer Johnson loses his line and lands this on a length but way down the leg side, Tabraiz Shamsi leaves it alone. Wided.
15.2
.
This on a hard length and around off, angling away, Tabraiz Shamsi looks to play at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Tabraiz Shamsi is the last man in.
15.1
W
OUT! TAKEN! Spencer Johnson gets a wicket now! Reeza Hendricks goes back after a wonderful knock but that seems to be the last nail in the coffin for South Africa. Johnson serves this full and around middle, Reeza Hendricks clears his front leg and tries to slog it but fails to get under it and hits it in the air towards long on where Tim David runs forward and dives to take the catch. It pops up in his hands but he manages to hold on to it. Australia one wicket away from the win now!
In over# 15
1
1
1
0
1
1
Aaron Hardie 5/0(1)
14.6
1
A low full toss, on off, Reeza Hendricks drive sit towards covers where the fielder misfields a bit and the batters cross for one more.
14.5
1
Goes short again and slower again, on middle and leg, Lungi Ngidi pulls it towards deep square leg for one.
14.4
1
Touch fuller, on off, slower too, Reeza Hendricks pushes it towards covers for a another run.
14.3
.
Short of a length and outside off, again, Reeza Hendricks looks to cut it but misses.
Home