ABU DHABI: Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade combined in a crucial 40-run stand to help Australia beat South Africa by five wickets in a low-scoring thriller in their opening Super 12 clash in the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 119 runs, Stoinis and Wade held their nerve superbly during an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with the win coming with two balls remaining.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood had led an inspired bowling effort that restricted South Africa to 118 for nine. South Africa lost their top three batsmen, including skipper Temba Bavuma, with the score on 23 after being invited to bat first.
Number four Aiden Markram played a lone hand with his 40 off 36 deliveries before falling to Mitchell Starc. Markram kept losing partners with Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller departing for 13 and 16.
Leg spinner Adam Zampa struck twice in one over and a big mid-pitch mix up led to Keshav Maharaj being run out for nought. Kagiso Rabada hit a an unbeaten cameo of 20 off 23 balls to take the Proteas past 100 and give the team attack something to bowl at.
Replying to South Africa’s total of 118 for nine, Australia lost three quick wickets at the top and found themselves under pressure. Steve Smith, who made 35, and Glenn Maxwell added 42 for the fourth wicket to keep Australia on course but South Africa came roaring back into the see-saw contest by dismissing both in the space of four deliveries to reduce their opponents to 81-5.
However, Stoinis then hit 24 off 16 while Wade contributed 15 runs to shut out South Africa’s chances.
Teams
Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
