Proteas lose resoundingly to Australia in T20

It was a match every South African cricket fan has nightmares about – losing horribly to a far superior Australian team.

So it was when the centuries-old rival beat the Proteas in the first T20 of the series at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium on 21 February by a whopping 107 runs.

The Proteas have since levelled the series with a win at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth on 23 February, to set up a series-decider at PPC Newlands, Cape Town on 26 February.

Australia’s Ashton Agar took no prisoners at the Wanderers with his five-wicket haul which included a hat-trick, for just 24 runs in his four overs. This while Adam Zampa and Pat Cummins took two wickets apiece to ensure the win.

Proteas captain, Quinton de Kock opted to bowl first in windy and overcast conditions in front of a vocal crowd.

This was the first time Australia’s Steve Smith and David Warner have played in South Africa since they were banned from international cricket for a year for ball-tampering during a Test against South Africa in March 2018.

South African fans were very polite when these two walked to the middle, at least by the standards of the usually vocal Bullring spectators.

Still, fans were over the moon when Dale Steyn had Warner out caught for four in the second delivery of the match.

However, too much short-pitched bowling by the Proteas’ seamers and aggressive batting by Australia captain Aaron Finch (42) and Smith (45) allowed the run rate to accelerate throughout the powerplay and the pair took the total to 84 runs before Tabraiz Shamzi had them both out.

But the damage had been done and the remaining Australian batsmen scored easily despite the regular loss of wickets to reach 196/6.

In South Africa’s innings, Australia also had cause to celebrate in the first over after De Kock was bowled by Mitchell Starc for two runs.

The difference though was that South Africa did not build a solid partnership afterwards as Rassie van der Dussen (6), JJ Smuts (7) and David Miller (2) all fell cheaply.

Even former captain, Faf du Plessis’ 24 runs off 22 balls failed to help matters as the innings imploded.

Debutant, Pite van Biljon (16) was left trying to hold the innings together as Andile Phehlukwayo and Steyn both were out for ducks, and he was stuck with the tail, but it was not to be as South Africa was all out for 89.

Before the game started, officials closed the Open East stand, which has wooden seats, due to the rain. All ticket holders were reallocated to other seats.

Related article:

https://randburgsun.co.za/370295/who-is-to-blame-for-proteas-struggle/