Australia have defeated South Africa in the third and deciding T20 International series match at Stadium Australia on Sunday night.
Bowling well and containing an energetic batting attack, the Australians were lead to victory by a seasoned short-version specialist in Cameron White who hit 41(31). Hitting the winning runs with a ball to spare, White backed up an impressive display with the ball from Pat Cummins (1-23-4) and man of the series James Faulkner (3-28-4).
South Africa started well. Smashing an opening partnership of 75 runs from the first 8.4 overs, de Kock and Hendricks laid the foundation of a good innings for the tourists.
Pat Cummins bowled with excellent pace again and fizzed some bounce out of the wicket. He claimed the wicket of the red-hot de Kock for 48(27) as the batsman chased a ‘head-hunter’ and edged behind. De Kock’s innings include 5 boundaries and 2 sixes at a strike-rate of 177.
Match 1 hero Rossouw was sent packing early after he mistimed a lofted spinner from Cameron Boyce. Caught in the deep by Abbott, South Africa were clearly looking to post a large total.
Hendricks took over the reins of the South African innings, controlling the scoring for four overs in the face of some pumped-up Aussie bowlers. Doug Bollinger bowled with heart and was rewarded with a fortunately misplaced hook off a decent bouncer that clipped Hendrick’s leg stump for 49.
South Africa struggled to finish their innings the way they started, losing wickets each time they began to settle. Bollinger, Faulkner and Cummins bowled to their field and wickets kept coming for the Australians.
Faulkner finished with 3/23 from his four overs at an economy rate of 7.00 (runs/wicket). Nabbing three quick wickets from his last two overs, he helped stunt the Proteas scoring rate.
Cummins went for only 10 runs from his final two overs. 5 from his last helped restrict South Africa to a total of 6/145 and finish with figures of 1/23 at an economy rate of 5.75.
“Second half [of the innings] was spot on,” commented bowler in form James Faulkner after again bowling impressively.
Aaron Finch got off to a fast start, hitting 2 boundaries and 2 sixes in a total of 33 from 25 balls. The Australian captain was caught hitting out off the bowling of Wiese in the 5th over and South Africa had removed the danger man, only to have him replaced with another in Shane Watson.
Ben Dunk was fooled by Petersen’s change of pace on 14(8). He hit straight back to the waiting hands of the bowler in the 7th over.
Australia were on track needing 83 runs from 7 balls when Nick Maddinson chopped on to his stumps. Glenn ‘Big Show’ Maxwell ran out to the crease at 3/61 with plenty to do.
Watson put pressure on his team, losing his wicket moments later. Using his feet and reaching out to smash a Peterson ball straight, he edged high into the air and was out for 5(10), the Aussies 4/62.
Peterson had 2/10 from 2.0 overs. His tight bowling was frustrating the Aussies but Maxwell and White were looking confident as Peterson struggled to move the ball.
‘Big Show’ thumped a huge bomb straight for 6 and followed it up with an unorthodox ‘flip’ to fine leg and reverse sweep later in the over for four. 13 from the over and the Aussies had the adrenalin pumping again with 56 from 54 required.
Maxwell looked good but was dropped at long-on off a hard chance as the fielder dived forward. A couple of balls later, Maxwell offered an easier chance and was caught out for 23(15) off the bowling of Peterson who won the battle between the two.
The responsibility fell on Cameron White as the Aussies on remaining recognised batsman. Hitting a patient 4 boundaries and 1 big six, White’s unbeaten innings proved invaluable.
He batted with great composure and timed some excellent shots to put Australia in a winning position, needing 12 from the last 3 overs.
Losing Abbott in the final over, new batsman Cameron Boyce hit a quick single and was nearly run out to put White on strike.
Needing 1 run from 2 balls, White finished with the confidence he played his entire innings with, smashing a ball to the infield and running through after a misfield.
“It got a little bit twitchy there didn’t it!” commented an elated White after the match.
“I thought we bowled well… we restricted them after a good start,” White praised his team-mates after playing a beautiful team role in the Australian victory.
A good start for new 20/20 captain Aaron Finch and the Australians who have a big summer ahead.
