SA beat AUS by 12 runs | South Africa vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd T20I Match - Commentary

Double joy for South Africa then! First the females registered their first ever World T20 win over England and then their male counterparts followed it up by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat! Potentially, this sets up for a cracking decider. Join us on Wednesday, 26th February, 2020 at 6 pm local (1600 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

VICTORIOUS SOUTH AFRICAN SKIPPER, QUINTON DE KOCK, HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. On his blitzkrieg against the new ball, de Kock agrees with what Finch said, attacking the new ball and he just tried to maximize the Powerplay. On the South Africans falling short of 180, de Kock plainly says that the team knew 160 was good enough and the bowlers did their job. Praises them for bowling well and sticking to their plans. On the improved catching in their game, Quinton says that at this level, one should know what to bowl and how. Feels that the decider is going to be a good game with the pitch expected to be nice. Hopes that his team does well again.

Australian captain, Aaron Finch admits that it was a great contest to watch as the ones on slower surfaces are. Praises the bowlers from his side for dragging things back. Believes that his team was on track to win but could not quite finish the job. Agrees that taking pace off the ball was the key on this surface. Smiles and says that if boundaries are not coming, ones and twos are essential but with a fielding side as South Africa, it is pretty hard to take twos. Also affirms that on a slower track, the new ball is the key and hence, the openers came out all guns blazing, trying to blast the Protea bowlers. Praises the opposition bowlers and his own team's, for bowling exceptionally at the death. Admits that this is the sort of situation that the team required and the middle order, trying to get the team over the line. Hopes that at the next opportunity, it does better.

Earlier in the day, Quinton de Kock was driving a runaway train on fire, as South Africa galloped to 59/0 in the Powerplay. They were 121/2 in the 15th over but de Kock's wicket stalled their progress as Australia remarkably bowled superbly at the death, restricting them to 158. Kane Richardson was the starter of the choke, finishing with 2/21 in 4 overs. But that burst from the Protea skipper at the top proved to be just enough. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

All the above factors mentioned below are due to sensational death bowling. Let us take you back a few years ago. 11th October, 2015. Venue - Kanpur. It was the birth of a star for years to shine. Kagiso Rabada. India were gunning down 304 in an ODI, needing 11 runs from 6 balls with MS Dhoni in the middle. Rabada went 2, 1, 1, Dhoni wkt, Binny wkt and a run. 4-and-a-half years later, he comes on in the 17th over and concedes just 10 in his last 2 overs. Brilliant, brilliant bowling. He was well supported by Ngidi and Nortje at the death. Ngidi was expensive but he saved his best for the last. Finished with 3 wickets.

Where did the game turn? Hard to say. Because to take one point as the match-turning one is very difficult! Australia got most of the things right in this chase. 54/1 in the Powerplay, then a decent stand between Warner and Smith, ensuring that the required run rate does not go out of hand and Warner staying till the end. The match was up for grabs but still they could not cross the line.

A bizarre game of cricket. First, South Africa get off to a flier, look like they will get to 180, only to be busted and stifled to under 160. Then Australia repeat the dose, go hammer and tongs, stay neck-and-neck for three quarters of the run chase, only to blow it up in the final quarter! Excellent to witness. David Warner is downcast. He will be gutted that he was there till the end, yet, could not take his side over the line.

Wow. Aaron Finch? Justin Langer? David Warner? How did that get out of hand? 32 needed from 24 with 7 wickets in hand. Quinton de Kock? Mark Boucher? Kagiso Rabada? Lungi Ngidi? What do you guys have for meals? Steel? Because you are men of steel. Take a bow, gentlemen. To hold your nerves with your backs to the wall, nerves of steel are required. And you were stellar.

Anrich Nortje to Mitchell Starc. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 12 RUNS! A full toss, on middle, Starc just bunts it towards point and jogs across for a single. What a comeback by the Proteas. The 'Chokers' have choked their opposition!

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. A full toss, outside leg, Warner misses his flick. The ball goes off his pads to the leg side and now, Warner takes a leg bye this time. 14 needed on the final ball.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. DOT BALL! The crowd rejoices. Unless we get extra balls and plenty of runs scored off them, we are going to Cape Town with the series level. Full and around off, Warner can only drive it straight to short extra cover. Does not take the single, albeit the game is gone.15 needed from 2 balls.

Anrich Nortje to Mitchell Starc. Just a single. A slower ball, the off cutter, around middle, Starc backs away and looks to punch but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls to the off side. Nortje gets to the ball and thinks about throwing at the bowler's end but does not. 15 needed from 3.

Mitchell Starc walks in.

Anrich Nortje to Ashton Agar. OUT! BOWLED! This also means that Warner will be off strike for one more delivery. mission impossible for him and Australia now. A length ball, around middle, Agar looks to pull but the ball skids through and pegs the off stump back! 16 needed from 4.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Just a single. Is that the game? Short and around leg. Warner backs away and punches it straight to sweeper. 16 needed from 5.

Kagiso Rabada to Ashton Agar. A dot to finish. Just 3 from the penultimate over! Match-winning one. A length ball, around middle, Agar looks to pull but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball drops down beside him and there is a single available but understandably, Warner rejects it. He has no choice now. He has to single-handedly try and deliver the impossible. 17 needed from the final over.

Kagiso Rabada to Ashton Agar. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Ashton misses his flick.

Kagiso Rabada to Ashton Agar. ANOTHER DOT! The crowd is going wild. This is sensational death bowling. Full and outside off, Ashton looks to steer it to third man but misses!

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Full toss, on off, driven straight to Dwaine Pretorius at short extra cover. He fumbles, Warner wants the second but fielder recovers quickly and Warner sends Agar back.

Kagiso Rabada to Ashton Agar. Short and around off, punched through the covers for just a single. 19 needed from 9 now.

Kagiso Rabada to Ashton Agar. DOT BALL! Full and on off, pushed back to the bowler.

Ashton Agar walks in amidst the chaos.

Kagiso Rabada to Matthew Wade. OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The choking continues. The off cutter, outside off, on a length. Wade looks to flick but is early into the shot. He gets a leading edge which goes straight back to the bowler! Rabada is not going to drop those. A short stay for Wade. 20 needed from 11.

Lungi Ngidi to Matthew Wade. A length ball, outside off, tapped towards point for one more. What an over. Just 5 runs and a wicket from it. Aus are 139/4, needing 20 from 12 balls. SA were 142/3 at this stage!

Matthew Wade comes in next.

Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. OUT! CAUGHT! Marsh is out of here and Australia are choking under pressure. But what a catch. A slower ball, on a length, outside off, Marsh looks to pull but gets a top edge. Long on gets across, Faf du Plessis manning it, takes the catch but then realizes he is losing balance. Passes the ball but it is slightly wide of David Miller getting across from long off. However, Miller reacts swiftly, dives and takes the catch! What an exhibition of catching that is. 21 needed from 13, with the game slipping away from Australia.

Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. WIDE. This time Ngidi flirts a bit too much with the wide guideline outside off. Perhaps he thought Marsh to get across. But Mitch stays where he is and lets it go.

Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. DOT BALL! Slower ball, wide outside off, Marsh swings but misses. Pressure stuff.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Short and outside off, Warner backs away and carves it over point. Just a run.

Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. Outside off, bunted through the covers for a run.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Comes down the track, takes it on the full and pushes it towards long on for a single. Wants the second but it ain't there.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Full on middle and off, pushed through mid on for another single. Just 7 from the over. Excellent bowling. Aus 134/3, need 25 from 18. SA were 138/3!

Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Marsh. Outside off, punched through point for just one more.

Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Marsh. A short ball, outside off, Marsh pulls it through mid-wicket and jogs through for the second, as Dwaine Pretorius returns a weak throw, right in the middle of the pitch. De Kock is furious and immediately asks Kagiso Rabada from short extra cover to swap with Pretorius. Now, the umpire signals a SHORT RUN! Basic errors from the Aussies.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Outside off, punched off the back foot for one more. 29 more needed from 21 balls.

Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Marsh. Short and outside off, Marsh slaps it towards cover. Rassie van der Dussen dives full stretch to his left and makes a superb half-stop. But the batsmen take just one.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Down the leg side, flicked towards deep square leg for a single.

Kagiso Rabada is back on. 2-0-17-0 so far.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Down the leg side, flicked towards square leg for a run. 11 runs but a big wicket of Carey from the over. Aus 127/3, need 32 from 24. SA were 127/3 as well!

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Natural justice. Nothing off the Free Hit. A fine yorker, around leg, Warner can only dig it out back to the bowler.

FREE HIT TIME!

Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. NO BALL! Full and around off, Marsh tickles it through mid-wicket for a single. Replays show that the foot was still in! Unlucky is the bowler.

Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. Outside off, on a length, punched back to the bowler.

Mitchell Marsh walks in.

Lungi Ngidi to Alex Carey. OUT! BOWLED! Ngidi strikes! A length ball, straight enough, Carey backs away and looks to run it towards point but misses. The ball skids through, goes over the bat and knocks the leg pole out of the ground! 35 needed from 27. Game on.

Lungi Ngidi to Alex Carey. Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.

Lungi Ngidi to Alex Carey. SIX! Almost a catch! Tough luck for Faf du Plessis. A length ball, around off, Carey leans and lofts it inside out over long off. But the connection is not clean. Faf du Plessis at wide long off, waits and times his jump to perfection to take the catch. But while landing, his foot touches the ropes! 37 more needed from 29 balls.

Lungi Ngidi returns. 2-0-25-1 so far.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Short and outside off, Warner punches it behind point. The ball is in the gap but Pite van Biljon dives to his right and makes a stunning stop. He gets up in a trice and fires a throw at the striker's end but misses by a big margin. There is no one backing up and that calls for the second. Just 7 from the over. 43 needed from the last 5. SA were 122/3 at this stage!

Anrich Nortje to Alex Carey. A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Full on middle, pushed through mid on. Just one more.

Anrich Nortje to Alex Carey. Outside off, Carey looks to punch it through cover but gets a bottom edge which hits the pads. The ball rolls to the off side and the batsmen pinch one.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Outside off, tapped to point for a run.

Anrich Nortje to Alex Carey. Outside off, punched off the back foot, back to the bowler, just about dropping short and going between his legs towards long off. Just a single. 49 more needed from 35 balls.

Anrich Nortje is back on. 2-0-14-0 so far.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Works this through square leg for a couple. Just 5 from the over. Shamsi finishes with figures of 4-0-17-0. Outstanding. SA were 113/2. Still neck-and-neck!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Alex Carey. Bunts this through mid on for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Full and outside off, pushed straight to short extra cover.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Alex Carey. This time the conventional sweep, finds short fine leg but Warner calls Carey through for a quick single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Alex Carey. Full and outside off, reverse swept straight to short third man.

Dwaine Pretorius to Alex Carey. Outside off, played through point for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Outside off, tapped towards point for a quick single.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. FOUR! Half century for David Warner. A short ball, around middle, Warner just helps it through square leg. The man in the deep dives to his right but the ball wins the race! Important knock for Warner. Can he stay till the end and guide his team home?

Alex Carey walks in at number 4, replacing Smith.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. OUT! CAUGHT! Is this the turning point of the game? Steven Smith is out cheaply. The 50-run stand is broken. Australia need 61 from 45 balls. South Africa were 97/2 at this stage! A short ball, outside off, Smith pulls this or rather, drags this towards long on. The ball goes off the toe end of the bat and is dying down but Faf du Plessis comes charging in and takes it cleanly! Smith is asked to wait as they check for the no ball and the legality of the catch. Both are fine. The game hangs in the balance!

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Down the leg side, Warner looks to paddle but the ball hits his pads and lobs up. De Kock leaps and gets a glove to it, saving a certain boundary. Just a leg bye taken.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. Outside off, punched through mid off for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Short and outside off, Smith goes back and hacks it down to long off. Just a run. SA were 95/2 at this stage, Aus are 96/1!

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Full and around off, now David looks to play the reverse sweep but gets a bottom edge towards short third man. A run taken.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. That is a beauty. Landed outside off, Warner looks to push but is beaten by the away spin.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Fuller, around off, swept through fine leg for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Short again, this one on leg. Steven looks to pull but misses. De Kock yelps out an LBW appeal but no chance of that being given. Going down leg.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Short and outside off, Smith punches it through point but Lungi Ngidi dives to his right to stop it.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. FOUR! Spoils a good over. Short and outside off, Warner backs away and punches it through point for a boundary! 66 more needed from 54 balls. South Africa were 88/2 at this stage.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. A length ball, around off, the knuckle ball, helped towards long on for another single.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Full and on off, chipped in the air, well short of long off for one. The stand moves to 40 from 36 balls.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. Lucky to get away with that. With fine leg up, Pretorius slides one on the pads. Smith gets across and helps it fine but cannot beat Anrich Nortje at short fine leg. Just a single.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. A length ball, in line of the stumps, now Warner jumps out but is cramped for room. Mistimes his punch towards long off for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. A short ball, outside off, Smith comes down the track a touch and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Floated delivery on off, Warner blocks it well.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. BEATEN! Flighted delivery outside off, Warner looks to play a reverse sweep but misses it.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Tossed up delivery on off, Smith pushes it through mid off for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Loopy delivery on off, Warner punches it through covers for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Tossed up delivery on middle, Smith punches it through mid on for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Short delivery on middle, Smith pulls it to mid-wicket.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith drives it through mid on for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. On a length on off, Smith taps it towards point. Biljon goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. FOUR! Pretorius bowls on the pads, Smith flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Length delivery on off, Warner punches it through point for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. On a length on off, Warner plays it towards point for a single.

Dwaine Pretorius is back on.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Tossed up delivery on middle, Smith drives it through mid on for a single.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Tossed up delivery on off, Warner punches it through covers for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. NOT OUT! Warner is safe! Floated delivery on middle, Warner flicks it through mid-wicket. Miller stops the ball and fires a direct hit at the keeper's end. It is referred upstairs. Replays show that Warner had dived and was well inside the crease. The batsmen get two runs.

A run out appeal! It is referred upstairs.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Steven Smith. Flighted delivery on middle, Smith drives it through mid on for a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Tossed up delivery on leg, Warner looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Tabraiz Shamsi is into the attack.

Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. On a length on off, Warner defends it towards point for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. Length delivery on off, Smith guides it towards third man for a run.

Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. SIX! What a shot! Short delivery on leg, Smith pulls it over square leg for a maximum.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. On a length on off, Warner defends it towards point for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. Length delivery outside off, Smith punches it through point for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. Full delivery on middle, Smith comes down the track and flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. End of the Powerplay. Australia are 54/1 after 6 overs.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. On a length on off, Warner pushes it towards covers for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Full delivery on middle, Warner flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Length delivery on off, Warner punches it to point.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. On a length on middle, Smith flicks it through square leg for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. On a good length on off, Smith looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes safely towards point.

Dwaine Pretorius is on.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. On a length on middle, Warner plays it to mid on.

Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. The batsman has played it to the point region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Steven Smith is the new batsman in.

Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. OUT! CAUGHT! Ngidi has the last laugh. On a good length and outside off, Finch looks to cut but gets an inside edge and gets bowled. It hits the leg stump.

Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. DROPPED AND FOUR! Short and outside off, Finch looks to cut but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the keeper where de Kock tries to take it but spills it and concedes a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. On a length on middle, Warner flicks it through square leg for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. WIDE! Ngidi bowls it down the leg side, Warner looks to flick but misses it.

Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. SIX! That is smashed! Short of a length delivery, Warner comes forward and pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Lungi Ngidi is on.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Length delivery on off, Warner taps it towards point for a run.

Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Full again on off, Finch drives it towards covers for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Full delivery on middle, Finch drives it towards mid on.

Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Good length delivery on middle, Finch looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Warner looks to guide but misses it. It goes towards the keeper where de Kock fumbles and concedes a bye.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. FOUR! That is smoked! On a length on middle, Warner slaps it past the bowler through mid on for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Full delivery on middle, Warner flicks it through square leg for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. On a length on off, Finch plays it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Length delivery on off, David taps it towards point for a run.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. FOUR! Nicely played! On a length and outside off, Warner guides it very fine towards third man for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. Back of a length delivery on middle, Finch defends it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Short delivery on middle, Warner pulls it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. On a good length on off, Warner plays it towards covers for a run.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. FOUR LEG BYES! On a length on leg, Warner looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards fine leg for a boundary.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Length delivery outside off, Warner punches it to point.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Full delivery on middle, Warner flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

Anrich Nortje to David Warner. FOUR! That is crunched! Full delivery outside off, Warner lofts it over covers for a boundary.

Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. On a length on off, Finch plays it towards point for a single.

Anrich Nortje to bowl from the other end.

Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. Length delivery on off, Finch punches it through covers for a run. 8 runs have come from the first over.

Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. FOUR! First boundary of the chase! Full delivery on middle, Finch lofts it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. On a length on off, Finch taps it to point.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Good length delivery on off, Warner looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards the off side. The batsmen take a run.

Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. On a length on off, Finch pushes it towards covers and takes a quick single.

Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Rabada starts with a length delivery on off, Warner looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a single.

We are back for the chase. The South African players are out in the middle. David Warner and Aaron Finch will open the batting for Australia. Kagiso Rabada will start the proceedings for South Africa.