Josh Hazlewood celebrates the fall of Aiden Markram in the ICC T20 World Cup match against South Africa.
Australia managed to register a close win against South Africa in the very first match of the T20 World Cup.
- Last Update:October 23, 2021, 7:29 PM IST
- Follow us on:
Australia beat South Africa by five wickets in the opening match of 2021 t20 world cup. Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade were over the moon as the former gave Dwayne Pretorius the winning run in tight conditions. Batting first, the Proteas had set a target of 119 runs, but due to slow wickets in the second half of the Australian innings, it made the match. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell were dismissed within a span of ten balls and the required run rate suddenly seemed harsh. But Stoinis remained calm before launching the fiery Enrique Nortje for the boundary. After this, he sealed the deal by hitting a boundary on Praetorius on the second and fourth balls of the last over. At the other end, he was well supported by Wade, who scored 15 runs off ten balls. Earlier captain Aaron Finch’s poor form continued and Australia were reduced to 38/3 before being saved by Smith and Maxwell.
t20 world cup full coverage | the schedule | photos | Mark sheet
Australia’s bowlers pulled through South Africa’s top- and middle-order batting lineups to restrict them to 118 for nine in their ICC innings. t20 world cup In the opener here on Saturday, on a pitch where the ball hit the bat late, Josh Hazlewood (2/19), Adam Zampa (2/21) and Mitchell Starc (2/33) did the most damage, even Aiden Markram fought his way too. 36 ball 40.
Had it not been for Kagiso Rabada’s 19, which included a one-handed six from Starc in the final over, South Africa would have got less. Captain Temba Bavuma got South Africa off to a good start in a productive first over with two lovely boundaries through the off side.
Read also: T20 World Cup 2021: Fans maintain social distancing with seating arrangement; see photos
However, Glenn Maxwell had other ideas as the star all-rounder compensated for Mitchell Starc’s expensive opening over with the dismissal of in-form Bavuma (12), which was bowled by a delivery that refused to be played by the batsman. After doing it it was very less. Front leg, something that could have saved him. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood stunned Rassie van der Dussen (2) with a peach of a ball that landed just outside the channel before taking a lead to complete a simple catch for wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.
(with agencies)
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
.