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AUS beat SA by 97 runs | South Africa vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd T20I Match - Commentary
Australia in South Africa, 3 T20I Series, 2020
Date: Feb 26, 2020 Start Time: 21:30 IST | 16:00 GMT | 18:00 LocalVenue: Newlands, Cape Town
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
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South Africa vs Australia Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Match - T20I Commentary
Now than, 194 to seal the deal for South Africa! That is a mountain in front of the hosts but they do have an in-form Quinton de Kock and a batting lineup capable of chasing it down. However, Australia will feel that they have quality bowlers to defend this total too. Well, if South Africa can get to a decent start, we can be in for a terrific run chase. Join us for that in a short while.
The South African bowlers were in all sorts of trouble in the first 10 overs of the innings as Warner and Finch showed no mercy upon them. Shamsi though bowled really well amidst all the bowlers getting slaughtered. However, after the openers got dismissed, a few tight overs from Ngidi, Pretorius and Rabada pulled things back for the Proteas. All the bowlers who bowled picked up at least a wicket but only Shamsi was economical.
Well, after being put into bat, Warner and Finch hammered every South African bowler in the first 10 overs. They added 120 for the first wicket in 11.3 overs, reaching their respective half tons. They looked in supreme touch throughout the innings. However, once both the batters were dismissed, the run-scoring got affected as Wade and Marsh failed to time the ball well. Steven Smith's handy innings made sure Australia go to the break with momentum.
20 from the final over means that Australia finish the innings exactly the way they started. An excellent hand from Steven Smith in the end. 30 off the 15 balls that he faced have taken Australia to 193/5.
Anrich Nortje to Steven Smith. Short delivery on middle, Smith pulls it over mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple. 20 runs from the final over as AUSTRALIA FINISH WITH 193/5!
Anrich Nortje to Steven Smith. Length delivery on middle, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
Anrich Nortje to Steven Smith. SIX! Amazing shot! Anyone remember the 2017 IPL final? Well, that time he got out. Not in this case. Full delivery on off, Smith backs away a touch and lofts it nonchalantly over covers for a biggie!
Anrich Nortje to Steven Smith. On a length on middle, Smith plays a paddle sweep over the keeper towards fine leg. The batsmen get two runs.
Anrich Nortje to Steven Smith. DROPPED! But a difficult chance. Full delivery on middle, Smith looks to loft but gets a top edge. It goes towards mid-wicket where Heinrich Klaasen charges in from the deep and tries to take it but cannot quite get his hand to it. He gets only fingertips on that one. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Anrich Nortje to Steven Smith. SIX! That is huge! Great start to the over. Full delivery on middle, Smith lofts it over long on for a maximum.
Anrich Nortje to bowl the final over of the innings.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Slower and just around off, Smith pushes it to long off for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Ashton Agar. Shortish and around off, Agar mistimes his pull towards mid on for a single.
Ashton Agar is in now.
Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. OUT! Timber this time! And they are not referring it upstairs, so Rabada can celebrate. A slower one again, it is on a length and around off, Carey is way too early in his slog to miss out. The ball though does not miss out and lightens up the bails.
Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. DROPPED! High full toss on middle, Carey looks to hammer it over deep mid-wicket but fails to time it well. Nortje from the deep comes ahead and tries to catch but spills it. Two taken.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. On the pads, it is worked behind square leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. Full and outside off, Smith looks to launch it over extra cover but he miscues it high in the air towards deep cover. It lands in no man's land and a couple of runs are taken.
FREE HIT COMING UP!
Kagiso Rabada to Steven Smith. NO BALL! Wow! That should have been a wicket but it is a Free Hit. What has Rabada done? Well, it is a big, big no ball. He bowls an excellent full ball on middle, Smith tries to flick but misses. The ball sneaks through the pads and demolishes the stumps. The South African players celebrate but the umpire go upstairs to check if Rabada has overstepped. He certainly has which is confirmed by the replays.
That is bowled! But hang on, is that a no ball? Here comes the replay. No, it is not a no ball. It is a massive massive overstepping. Crime, massive crime.
Kagisa Rabada is back. 3-0-34-0 are his figures so far.
Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. Yes, he can! Excellent over from him. Just 6 from the over. A short ball outside off, Smith punches it uppishly towards point. It falls short of the fielder. The batsmen take a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Alex Carey. Full and around off, Carey strokes it towards long on for a run. Just 5 from the over so far. Can Ngidi finish it well?
Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. Very full ball on middle, Smith can only dig it out to long on for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Steven Smith. Excellent bowling from Ngidi! A slower fuller ball just outside off, Smith, yes, Smith too fails to read as he is way too early in his attempted squeeze shot through the off side.
Lungi Ngidi to Alex Carey. Down the leg side, Carey looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. No signal, so must have been an inside edge.
Lungi Ngidi to Alex Carey. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a couple.
Dwaine Pretorius to Alex Carey. Length ball around off, Carey taps it towards point for a single. 8 and a wicket from the over.
Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. Excellent effort from Klaasen! He has saved a valuable run for his side. Full and outside off, Smith drills it through covers. Klaasen from long off runs to his left and makes a brilliant diving stop. Three taken.
Alex Carey is the new man in.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. OUT! Marsh falls! Short and outside off, Marsh is way early in his shot once again. There is hardly any pace on this one. Marsh ends up getting a top edge towards short third man. Shamsi does well to settle under the ball and does well to gobble it near his belly.
Dwaine Pretorius to Steven Smith. On the pads, Smith flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. Shortish and around off, pushed to long on for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. Play and a miss again! This is excellent stuff from Pretorius and not so from Marsh. Pretorius is keeping it simple.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. WIDE! Short and outside off, Marsh once again is way early in his shot to miss out. This one is a clear wide delivery and the umpire stretches his arms to show that.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. WIDE! Swing and a miss! Length ball outside off, Marsh throws his willow at it but fails to make any connection. Wided by the umpire. That is another close call.
Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. Full and just outside off, Marsh strokes it to long off for a single. 6 and a wicket from the over.
Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. NOT OUT! Missing the leg pole so Marsh stays! A full toss on the pads, Marsh looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. They appeal and the umpire raises the finger. He goes to Smith who suggests that it is sliding down the leg side and then Marsh opts for the review. The replays roll in. First it is front foot, Ngidi is fine. Will it hit the stumps? No, it is missing.
Marsh has been adjudged LBW! Smith though, feels it is sliding down the leg side. Marsh does not even wait for a second though. Takes the review. Looks close to the naked eye. No inside edge on the Ultra Edge. Here comes Ball Tracker. MISSING LEG STUMP!
Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. Shortish and around off, pushed towards point.
Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. FOUR! Slammed! Short and on middle, Marsh pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 150 up for Australia.
Steven Smith is the next batsman in.
Lungi Ngidi to Matthew Wade. OUT! That's an excellent take from de Kock. Taking these skiers are really tough and when one has to run back, it becomes even tough. A length ball around off, Wade looks to launch it over square leg but gets a top edge. The ball goes high in the air towards short fine leg. De Kock calls for the catch as he runs behind. The fine leg fielder is charging ahead too but de Kock makes sure he does not come in between. He settles under it but realizes the trajectory is a bit far from him. So, he stretches his arms and dives forward to pouch it nicely.
Lungi Ngidi to Mitchell Marsh. Landed around off on a length, Marsh strokes it to long on for a single.
Lungi Ngidi is back on. 2-0-21-0 are his figures so far.
Dwaine Pretorius to Matthew Wade. SIX! Pretorius cannot finish the over well! Another shortish ball around middle, Wade reads the length early and tonks it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Dwaine Pretorius to Matthew Wade. WOW! Wade is a lucky man! A bouncer on middle, Wade looks to pull but misses. It hits the body and then hits the back of the bat. It somehow does not hit the stumps. The batters think of the run but de Kock and the bowler come charging in to pick the ball so Wade returns.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. Length ball around off, Marsh pushes it through covers for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. WIDE! Down the leg side, Marsh moves to the off side and swings hard to tonk it over deep square leg but misses out. Wided by the umpire and Pretorius is not happy as he covers his face with both hands. That was a harsh, harsh call.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. Excellent change in pace from Pretorius. It is on a length and outside off, Marsh is early in his cut to miss out.
Dwaine Pretorius to Matthew Wade. Shortish and on middle, Wade pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Mitchell Marsh. Short and outside off, Marsh strokes it through covers for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius returns! 2-0-24-0 from him so far.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Marsh. Full toss on off, Marsh strokes it to long on for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Marsh. SIX! BANG! Shortish and around off, Marsh nails the pull and sends it sailing over deep square leg for a huge six.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Marsh. Full and on middle, Marsh flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of easy runs. A diving attempt from mid-wicket but he fails to get to the ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Marsh. Slightly fuller and around off, Marsh pushes it to the left of the bowler for nothing.
Kagiso Rabada to Matthew Wade. Full and just outside off, Wade strokes it over cover for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Matthew Wade. Full and around off, pushed to covers.
Kagiso Rabada is back on. 2-0-24-0 are his figures so far.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Matthew Wade. A single to finish but that was a very expansive shot! Full and just around off, Wade reverse sweeps it towards short third man for a single. End of an excellent over and spell from Shamsi. 25/1 in his 4 overs, amidst all the hammering. Excellent!
Tabraiz Shamsi to Mitchell Marsh. Flighted fuller ball just outside off, Marsh pushes it through mid off for a single.
Mitchell Marsh walks in amidst another scenario where wickets have fallen quickly.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. OUT! LBW! Tabraiz Shamsi gets his first. That is a dead duck. Flighted delivery on middle, Finch gets across and looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw and the umpire raises his finger. Finch does not even bother to review. Yet again, Australia lose two set batsmen back to back.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Matthew Wade. Floated delivery on off, Wade punches it towards covers for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Matthew Wade. Flighted delivery on off, Wade defends it off the back foot.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. Tossed up delivery on leg, Finch looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Short and on the body, Finch pulls it to fine leg for a single. Just 2 runs and a wicket from the over.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Play and a miss and another dot! This is good stuff from Nortje. A length ball just outside off, Finch tries to drive but misses.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Another dot! A length ball around off, Finch pushes it towards point.
Matthew Wade is the new batsman in.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. OUT! CAUGHT! South Africa finally have a wicket. Good change ups from Nortje has fetched him a wicket. A bouncer this time, it is just outside off, Warner looks to drag it via a pull to send it over the fence on the leg side. But all he manages is a top edge and the ball goes high in the air at mid-wicket. Miller comes under the ball and pouches it with a tumble. A fine innings from Warner comes to an end.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Swing and a miss! That wasn't too far away from the timber! A length ball around off, Warner moves away and swings hard but misses.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Short and outside off, Finch punches it towards covers for a single.
Anrich Nortje is back on. 2-0-24-0 are his figures so far.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Another dot! Shortish and around off, Warner pushes it towards point. Just 5 from this over, a good one from Shamsi.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Full and outside off, Warner strokes it firmly towards cover. Van Biljon dives to his right to make an excellent stop.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. Quicker one on the pads, Finch tries to pull but misses. It rolls towards short fine leg off his pads for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Uppish but past the diving fielder at mid-wicket. It is a full ball on the pads, Warner flicks it powerfully past the fielder. A single taken.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Slightly short and outside off, Warner punches it past the diving cover fielder. It goes wide of the deep cover fielder and a couple of more runs are taken.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. Flatter and on the pads, Finch works it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy run.
Dwaine Pretorius to Aaron Finch. Length ball around off, Finch pushes it towards cover for a run. 114/0 at the halfway mark.
Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Short and outside off, Warner cuts it to deep point for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. SIX! That has been send into the night sky by Warner to reach to his half century, his 17th in T20Is. This is some way to get to his landmark. A length ball on the pads, Warner picks the length early and slams it over deep square leg for a humongous six.
Dwaine Pretorius to Aaron Finch. Very slower ball around off, 104.0 kph to be precise, pushed to point for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius to Aaron Finch. 50 up for the Australian skipper. His 12th T20I half ton. Length ball angled into the batter, Finch flicks it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. The call was for two and the two batters were brilliant in completing the runs.
Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Good length ball around off, Warner pushes it to deep point for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius returns. 1-0-12-0 from him so far.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Full and around off, pushed to covers for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. In the air but safe. And, a couple of runs for Warner and Australia that brings up the 100-run stand between the two. Flatter just outside off, Warner looks to loft it over deep cover but mistimes. It goes high in the air but lands between two fielders. A couple of runs.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. Seeing Finch coming down the track, Shamsi bowls it slightly shorter on the pads, Finch does well to push it towards the leg side for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Full and outside off, Warner strokes it towards long off for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. FOUR! Hammered straight down the ground! Shamsi bowls a full ball on middle and leg, Warner skips down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hammers it towards the long on fence.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Goes for the reverse sweep but fails to connect. Shamsi floats this quicker and just outside off.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Full toss on the pads, Warner flicks it to deep square leg for a run. He'll feel he missed out on a chance there.
Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. Full and on the pads, Finch flicks it towards long on for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Full and on the pads, Warner strokes it to long on for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. WIDE! Tries for another slower one but this time the line is not right again. Warner lets it be. De Kock behind the wicket fumbles a bit but no runs taken. Wided by the umpire.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Feeds a full ball on the pads, Warner flicks it to fine leg and the deep square leg fielder comes across to cut it off. A couple taken.
Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. Good length around off, Finch looks to push it towards the off side but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes towards mid-wicket for a run. That was an off cutter from Ngidi.
Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. WIDE! Ngidi misses the line and bowls this back of a length ball down the leg side. Finch looks to pull but misses. The umpire stretches his arm to signal it wide.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Length ball on middle, Warner pushes it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Change of ends for Lungi Ngidi. 1-0-12-0 are his figures so far.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Full and on middle, Warner strokes it to long on for a run. 9 off the first over from a spinner.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. Floated on middle, Finch nudges it towards deep square leg and gets to the other end.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. A couple now! Full and on middle, Finch flicks it towards deep mid-wicket where Miller fumbles and allows an extra.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Aaron Finch. FOUR! Poor from Shamsi and he gets the treatment. Short and down the leg side, Finch is not going to miss out. He powerfully whacks it to the deep square leg fence.
Tabraiz Shamsi to David Warner. Flighted fuller ball outside off, Warner drills it through covers. Miller at long off moves to his right and does well to make a diving stop. Just a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi is on now! Can he stop the bleeding?
Dwaine Pretorius to Aaron Finch. Quick couple! Excellent running between the wickets. A length ball around off, Finch just works it towards deep mid-wicket with gentle hands. They call for a couple and complete it quickly. 75/0 at the end of the Powerplay. Australia are going really strong.
Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Shortish and just outside off, Warner looks to pull but the ball takes the bottom edge of the bat and goes towards short fine leg. A quick run taken.
Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Swing and a miss! A fuller ball around off, it is an off cutter, Warner is early in his swing to miss out.
Dwaine Pretorius to Aaron Finch. Length ball around off, Finch tucks it behind square leg for a run.
Dwaine Pretorius to Aaron Finch. WIDE! Sprays down the leg side this time. Finch lets it be. Wided by the umpire.
Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. Length ball around off, Warner taps it towards point for a quick run.
Dwaine Pretorius to David Warner. SIX! Welcome into the attack, Mr. Pretorius, says David Warner. This is some hammering from the Aussie openers. Dwaine starts with a shortish length ball around off, Warner moves inside the crease and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a massive biggie.
Dwaine Pretorius is on now.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. Back of a length ball on middle, Warner pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and calls for a couple but Klaasen gets to the ball quickly and releases a sharp throw. Seeing that, the batters settle for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. Good length ball around off, Finch works it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy run.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. On the pads again, Warner looks to pull but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards short fine leg and they take a leg bye.
Lungi Ngidi to David Warner. WIDE! Down the leg side! Warner goes for the pull but misses. Wided by the umpire.
Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. Finally, a single and not a boundary. Full and on middle, Finch flicks it wide of mid on and takes a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. FOUR! This is some exhibition from Australia. All class this one. Slightly fuller and around off, Finch lofts it over extra cover for another boundary. 5 in a row now.
Lungi Ngidi to Aaron Finch. FOUR! Make that 4 boundaries in a row! Ngidi starts with a slightly shorter ball just outside off, Finch taps it past the diving point fielder for a boundary.
Lungi Ngidi is on.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. FOUR! Three in a row! Poor from Nortje. He bowls a slightly shorter ball on middle, Warner gets in position and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 50 up for Australia in quick time.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. FOUR! Up and over now! This is excellent batting from Warner. An off cutter from Nortje, Warner picks that early and lofts it over the bowler for another boundary.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. FOUR! Slammed away! Full and just outside off from Nortje, Warner moves to the leg side and makes room. Then he reaches out and slices it over point for a boundary.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Good length ball angled into Finch, he looks to flick but the ball takes the outer half of the bat and rolls towards point for a run.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. FOUR! Poor line and punished! Short and down the leg side. Finch pulls it to fine leg fence to earn another boundary.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Another quick run and another fumble from South Africa fielder. Shortish and around off, pushed towards point for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Length ball around off, Warner taps it towards point and takes a quick run. 17 from this over of Rabada.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. EDGY FOUR! Short and outside off, Warner throws his bat at it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies over short third man and races away to the fence.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. Shortish and around off, Finch pushes it towards long on for a quick run as Ngidi now fails to pick the ball in one go.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. SIX! This is from the middle of the bat. Full and in the hitting arc of Finch, he nonchalantly lofts it over long on for a biggie.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. FOUR! Poor effort by Nortje. A length ball on the pads, Finch glances it towards short fine leg where Nortje is late in getting down to field. It goes behind and then races away to the fence.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Overthrows! A back of a length ball on middle, Warner mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket. Miller picks the ball and fires the throw at the non-striker's end. There was no need of the throw first of all. And then to make things worse, Pretorius fumbles at short extra cover and they sneak a run. Du Plessis collects the ball and throws but misses at the non-striker's end.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Length ball on the pads, Finch once again fails to connect his flick and gets hit on the pads. 6 from Nortje's first, slightly better than Rabada.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. Slightly short and just outside off, Warner taps it towards point. van Biljon there fumbles and allows a run.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Angled into the batter on a length, Finch does well to push it towards mid on for a quick single. There is a direct hit by the fielder at the non-striker's end but Finch was well in.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Landed around off on a length, Finch looks to defend but the ball takes the inside edge and rolls past the stumps.
Anrich Nortje to David Warner. On the pads, Warner flicks it towards deep square leg for a run.
Anrich Nortje to Aaron Finch. Good effort from Faf du Plessis! Full and around off to start with from Nortje, Finch mistimes his lofted shot over mid off but he does well to clear the fielder. Faf du Plessis chases it down and makes a diving stop. The umpire goes upstairs to check and the replays roll and show that it is a very good effort from him to save a run for his side.
Anrich Nortje to bowl from the other end.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Good length ball on the pads, Warner looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. 9 from the first over, good start for Australia.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. Quick run! Shortish and around off, Finch taps it towards cover and takes off for a run. Klaasen collects the ball quickly and throws at the striker's end but misses. Replays roll in and show that it wouldn't have mattered had he hit.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. Length ball around off, Finch keeps it out.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. A quick couple now! Fuller and around middle and leg, this time Finch looks to flick on the leg side but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes wide of mid-wicket. They take a couple of leg byes.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. FOUR! That is some way to get off the mark. Rabada overpitches this well outside off, Finch leans into the drive and slams it through the cover region to bag the first boundary of the innings.
Kagiso Rabada to Aaron Finch. WIDE! Rabada misses the line this time as the right-hander comes on strike. Finch tries flicking but misses.
Kagiso Rabada to David Warner. Rabada starts with a length ball on the pads, Warner looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards point and they cross for a run. That looked to be hit on the pads but the umpire thinks there was some runs. So, Warner is underway!
We are all set to begin. The South African players are out in the middle. David Warner and Aaron Finch, the two Australian openers, walk out to the middle to open the innings. Kagiso Rabada with the ball first up. 1 slip in place. Here we go...
Aaron Finch, the Australian skipper, says that de Kock is a valuable wicket at the top. Tells that they were going to bat first anyway. Feels that the wicket is a bit drier than they thought. On their last win, Finch feels that they were almost there but reckons that the South African bowlers used slower ones well. Adds that they lost quick wickets and that cost them the game. Mentions that this ground is a beautiful one. Finishes by saying that they are unchanged.
Quinton de Kock, the South African skipper, feels that it will work better under the lights despite it being quite a dry wicket. On his win in the 2nd T20I, de Kock says that they are very confident after that win. Tells that Reeza Hendricks has been replaced by Heinrich Klaasen and says that he will bat somewhere in the middle as Rassie van der Dussen will partner him at the top.
Australia (Unchanged Playing XI) - David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (WK), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa.
South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (C AND WK), Heinrich Klaasen (In for Reeza Hendricks), Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in favor of South Africa. THEY WILL BOWL FIRST.
Australia landed first punch in Johannesburg in the 1st T20I. Then, South Africa held their nerves in the second game to level the series at Port Elizabeth. Now, both the sides have arrived at Newlands for the final game of the series. Last time Australia were here, the encounter was more remembered for the ball-tampering saga than South Africa's thumping victory in the Test match. Anyway, both the sides have come a long way from the incident. Now, in this final frontier, before the ODIs begin, both the teams will look to lift the trophy and enter that series with a momentum. A T20I series win ahead of the T20I World Cup later in the year will be a big boost too. Let's see who comes out on top. Toss and team updates in a while.
Right. A domination by the Aussies. They had a blank mind for 30 minutes during the closing stages of that second T20I - else it would have been a whitewash. Will the ODIs be better for the Proteas? Let us hope for some competitiveness. The first ODI starts on Saturday, 29th February, 2020 and it is a day-night affair at Boland Park, Paarl. Join us at 1 pm local (1100 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious Australian skipper, AARON FINCH, HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE SERIES. Feels great to be back amongst the runs and adds that the ball was coming onto the bat nicely. On his excellent running between the wickets with Warner, Finch says that running is something which the Australians pride themselves on and keep striving for it. On the importance of scoring runs in the Powerplay, Aaron says that most sides go hard at the start and at the death while the middle overs is where teams lose their way. So, if you keep wickets intact in the Powerplay, it helps you set a big total. Is proud of the way David Warner fought in the series, though, feels sad that he could not get his team home in the previous T20I. Lauds the bowlers and in general is happy that the group is consistent.
MITCHELL STARC HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Believes that all the bowlers have done well in this series. On taking Quinton de Kock, Starc says that he is a key player who can take off in the Powerplay and if he gets out early, the middle order can be put under pressure. On Ashton Agar's resurgence in this series, Starc smiles but says that every other bowler has been excellent too. On being asked whether Australia are the favourites for the T20 World Cup, Mitchell says that there are still plenty of games to go and as a group, they need to continue to do well and build on the momentum.
South African skipper, Quinton de Kock, admits that it is a very poor defeat but just hopes that his team puts its heads down and look forward. Does not quite agree that it was a bat-first pitch but feels that Australia got 20 runs above par. On the preparations for the World Cup, de Kock says that winning more matches would be a start. Adds that they are not playing T20Is for a while, so when they start doing, they will focus more. On being asked whether Australia are favourites for the T20 World Cup, de Kock smiles. Says that the Aussies have been competitive, regardless of any format and the T20 World Cup would be no different, especially given that they are playing at home. Looking towards his own side, Quinny is looking forward to some fresh faces in the ODIs and hopes to win that series.
Earlier in the day, Australia welcomes Quinton de Kock's invitation to bat first by getting off to a flier. 75 in the Powerplay, 114 in the first 10. Aaron Finch and David Warner punished every bowler who came to bowl but the Proteas did come back. A bit too late. A Steven Smith special took them to 193, which perhaps shut the door. Every Protea bowler struggled, barring Shamsi, who managed to prevent 200 being breached. Please stay tuned for the presentation...
Before the start of this tour, Adam Zampa had told in the press conference that he was really eager to bowl in tandem with Ashton Agar as the latter helps him bowl well. First match - 6.3-0-33-7. Second match - 8-0-65-1. Third match - 7-0-26-5. It is no secret that the Proteas are not good players of spin and coach Justin Langer played his cards to perfection in picking the squad for this T20I series.
Quinton de Kock opined at the toss that the pitch will play better under lights, but he was proved totally wrong. Mitchell Starc struck in his very first over, got de Kock and that was it. These last two series have shown that if the skipper does not perform, the rest of the batsmen simply do not turn up and that is too much to ask for a bloke who has to keep wickets and then turn up to open as well. There was a brief partnership between van der Dussen and Klaasen but it was not big enough to challenge the Aussies.
Did the match get lost at the toss itself? In hindsight, certainly yes. The pitch looked dry and even Aaron Finch felt that batting would get tougher as the game progressed. Figure this out - Australia raced to 114/0 in 10 overs but then managed just 59 in the next 9 overs. A Steven Smith special helped them get close to 200 but now, looking at this victory margin, even 175 would have been enough.
Blown away in Jo'burg. Blown away in Cape Town. A nervous breakdown in Port Elizabeth. Well, if the latter had not happened, Australia were well on course for a 3-0 whitewash. They have steamrolled the opposition batsmen in every match and had it not been for a de Kock special in the second game, the batting statistics would have been embarrassing to view.
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. OUT! LBW! That is all over! Full delivery on middle, Rabada looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw and the umpire raises his finger. Ball Tracker later on shows that it is umpire's call and hitting the leg stump. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 97 RUNS AND TAKE THE SERIES 2-1!
Mitchell Starc to Kagiso Rabada. FOUR! Poor delivery from Starc! Full delivery on middle, Rabada flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to Tabraiz Shamsi. On a length on middle, Shamsi looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.
Mitchell Starc is back on.
Ashton Agar to Tabraiz Shamsi. Floated delivery on middle, Shamsi flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Ashton Agar to Tabraiz Shamsi. Flighted delivery on off, Shamsi keeps it out.
Ashton Agar to Tabraiz Shamsi. No hat-trick for Agar. A speedy delivery on middle, around 106 kph, Shamsi gets back to defend but ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.
Tabraiz Shamsi is the last man in. Can he at least avert the hat-trick?
Ashton Agar to Lungi Ngidi. OUT! BOWLED! Two in two for Ashton! Agar gets his third wicket! Flighted delivery on middle, Ngidi looks to loft it but misses it completely and gets bowled. Ashton Agar is on a hat-trick now.
Lungi Ngidi is the next batsman in.
Ashton Agar to Anrich Nortje. OUT! LBW! The demolition is almost close to completion now. Full and straight, the arm ball, Nortje looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. Agar appeals and the umpire raises his finger.
Ashton Agar to Anrich Nortje. Short and outside off, punched through the covers but straight to cover.
Ashton Agar is back on.
Mitchell Marsh to Anrich Nortje. On a length on middle, Nortje flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Mitchell Marsh to Anrich Nortje. Good length delivery outside off, Nortje looks to cut but misses it.
Mitchell Marsh to Kagiso Rabada. On a good length on off, Rabada looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man. Pat Cummins goes for a direct hit at the keeper's end but misses it. The batsmen take a run.
Mitchell Marsh to Anrich Nortje. Short and outside off, Nortje cuts it through point for a single.
Mitchell Marsh to Anrich Nortje. On a good length on middle, Nortje defends it off the back foot.
Anrich Nortje is the new batsman in.
Mitchell Marsh to Dwaine Pretorius. OUT! LBW! Three reds and number 7 is there in the wickets' column for South Africa. Mitchell Marsh, much like Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka, bowls once in a blue moon. And like the moon seen in the month of Ramadan, both bring joy to millions of fans, reiterating that they should be bowling more. 26th January 2020 might be one such day. Because Angelo Mathews struck in the SL-WI ODI and Mr. Marsh, after not bowling throughout the series, has struck on his very first ball. Full and straight, Pretorius looks to swing across the line but misses and is hit on the pads. Marsh appeals, the umpire thinks for a while and then raises his finger. Pretorius goes for the review perhaps because he hit it or probably more so because he is the last recognized batsman. Nothing on the Ultra Edge and he is already on his bike. Here comes Ball Tracker. Crashing into off stump. So 87 strikes. Not once, not twice. But not against Australia. For them.
Pretorius has been adjudged LBW! Did he nick it? He has taken the review. Does not look like he hit it. Nothing on the Ultra Edge. Pretorius is already walking off. Because Ball Tracker is showing it to be hitting the off stump.
Surprise, surprise! Mitchell Marsh into the attack.
Pat Cummins to Kagiso Rabada. A length ball, outside off, tapped straight to short third man. 12 runs from the over, but a big wicket of David Miller as well. 3-0-27-1 for Patrick.
Kagiso Rabada walks in at number 8, replacing Miller.
Pat Cummins to David Miller. OUT! CAUGHT! 87 strikes! That might be the final nail in the coffin for South Africa. Full delivery on off, Miller lofts it uppishly towards covers where Finch comes forward and takes a good catch. Finch immediately celebrates, clearly indicating how big that wicket is for Australia. The hosts need 107 runs in 43 balls to win the match.
Pat Cummins to Dwaine Pretorius. Length delivery outside off, Pretorius punches it towards long off for a single.
Pat Cummins to Dwaine Pretorius. WIDE! Cummins bowls it wide outside off, Pretorius leaves it alone.
Pat Cummins to Dwaine Pretorius. WIDE! Cummins bowls a bouncer, Pretorius looks to play an upper cut but lets it sail through to the keeper.
Pat Cummins to Dwaine Pretorius. SIX! That is huge! Short delivery on middle, Pretorius pulls it over square leg for a maximum.
Pat Cummins to David Miller. A length ball, outside off, thumped through the covers for a run.
Pat Cummins to David Miller. A short ball, around middle, Miller pulls it through mid-wicket. Ashton Agar should have stopped that but he fumbles and concedes the second.
Pace is back. That will make the Proteas feel a lot better. Pat Cummins returns. 2-0-15-0 so far.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Adam Zampa to Dwaine Pretorius. Short and outside off, cut through point for one more.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. Full and outside off, Miller reverse sweeps it through fine leg where Ashton Agar dives to his left and makes a fine stop. Just a run.
Adam Zampa to Dwaine Pretorius. Short and around middle, skids through, stays low, Pretorius looks to pull but gets a thick inside edge towards short fine leg. A single taken.
Adam Zampa to Dwaine Pretorius. NOT OUT! Pretorius is safe! Carey has missed a stumping chance here. Flighted delivery on middle, the googly, Pretorius comes down the track and looks to go big but misses it. It goes towards the keeper where Alex Carey fumbles and takes the bails off. It is referred upstairs. Replays show that Carey did not collect it cleanly and he collected it on one bounce and then took the bails off. Replays also show the effect of the new rules. The bat first came into the crease, then bounced up and the bails were dislodged. As per the earlier rules, this would have been out. But as per the new ones, because the bat was in the first time, it does not matter if it was raised later.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. Tossed up delivery on middle, Miller comes down the track and pushes it through mid on for a single.
Ashton Agar to David Miller. On middle, Miller comes down the track and drives it through mid on for a run.
Ashton Agar to Dwaine Pretorius. Floated delivery on middle, Pretorius flicks it towards square leg for a single.
Ashton Agar to Dwaine Pretorius. The quicker one on middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
Ashton Agar to David Miller. Outside off, short in length, cut through point for one more.
Ashton Agar to Dwaine Pretorius. Short and outside off, cut to sweeper cover for a run.
Ashton Agar to David Miller. Full on middle, Miller comes down the track and whips it down to long on for a single.
Dwaine Pretorius is the next batsman in.
Adam Zampa to Pite van Biljon. OUT! TIMBER! Zampa bowls a googly on off and middle, Biljon looks to flick but misses it and gets bowled. He read the ball very late. Adam Zampa gets his second wicket. South Africa need 129 runs in 60 balls.
Adam Zampa to Pite van Biljon. Floated delivery on leg, van Biljon looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.
Adam Zampa to Pite van Biljon. Tossed up delivery on off, van Biljon plays it towards covers.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. Loopy delivery on middle, Miller comes down the track and flicks it through square leg for a single.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. Full and around middle, the googly, David gets down and sweeps it through square leg. Mitchell Marsh lumbers across to his right, dives and seeing that, Miller takes a late call to go for the second. Makes it with ease.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. Full and down the leg side, Miller jumps down the track, looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. An LBW appeal ensues but to no avail.
Ashton Agar to David Miller. Flighted delivery on middle, Miller flicks it through mid on for a single.
Ashton Agar to Pite van Biljon. Tossed up delivery on off, van Biljon drives it through mid off for a run.
Ashton Agar to David Miller. Floated delivery on middle, Miller flicks it through mid on for a single.
Pite van Biljon is the new batsman in.
Ashton Agar to Rassie van der Dussen. OUT! CAUGHT THIS TIME! Excellent fielding from Adam Zampa. This one is to him. Full and around off, van der Dussen gets across and looks to play the paddle over the keeper, just like he did on the first ball. But what he does not realize is, after that shot on the first ball, Aaron Finch has moved short third man a bit finer, to his left. Adam Zampa reacts well, races swiftly to his left and takes a good diving catch! Both set batsmen out in the span of 7 balls. South Africa need to rebuild. 135 more needed from 69 balls.
Ashton Agar to David Miller. Floated delivery on middle, Miller flicks it towards square leg for a single.
Ashton Agar to Rassie van der Dussen. Tossed up delivery on middle, Klaasen plays a paddle sweep over the keeper's head. Adam Zampa from short third man does well to stop it. The batsmen cross ends.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. On middle and leg, Miller looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. Loopy delivery on off, David plays it to point.
Adam Zampa to David Miller. Tossed up delivery on middle, Miller defends it off the back foot.
Killer Miller is here. Needs to play a killing innings.
Adam Zampa to Heinrich Klaasen. OUT! BOWLED! Zampa gets his first. Floated delivery on middle, Klaasen looks to play a reverse sweep but misses it and gets bowled. That was a risky shot from Heinrich Klaasen but cannot blame him. The required rate was mounting. A decent stand of 34 has been cut short. 137 more needed from 75 balls.
Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen. Flighted delivery on middle, van der Dussen punches it through mid on for a single.
Adam Zampa to Heinrich Klaasen. Floated delivery on off, Klaasen punches it towards point for a single.
Spin from both ends. Adam Zampa is on now.
Ashton Agar to Heinrich Klaasen. Flighted delivery on middle, Klaasen sweeps it towards short fine leg where Richardson dives to his left and makes a fine stop. The batsmen cross ends.
Ashton Agar to Rassie van der Dussen. Loopy delivery on off, van der Dussen guides it towards third man for a single.
Ashton Agar to Heinrich Klaasen. Short delivery outside off, Klaasen cuts it through point for a single.
Ashton Agar to Rassie van der Dussen. Flighted delivery on middle, Rassie flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Ashton Agar to Heinrich Klaasen. Floated delivery on middle, Klaasen flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Ashton Agar to Heinrich Klaasen. Tossed up delivery on off, Klaasen punches it to point.
Spin time. Ashton Agar gets the ball in his hand.
Kane Richardson to Heinrich Klaasen. Full delivery on off, Klaasen drives it towards mid off and takes a quick single. End of the Powerplay. South Africa are 50/2 after 6 overs as compared to Australia who were 75/0. It is a good recovery from the Proteas, after they lost two wickets early.
Kane Richardson to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length on middle, Klaasen flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Kane Richardson to Rassie van der Dussen. Length delivery outside off, this time Rassie punches it through covers, straight to the sweeper, for a run.
Kane Richardson to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! Cracking shot! Short and wide outside off, van der Dussen cuts it hard through point for a boundary. The good thing about that shot is that there is a sweeper and Rassie had to beat him, which he did.
Kane Richardson to Rassie van der Dussen. Short and outside off, van der Dussen punches it towards covers.
Kane Richardson to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length on middle, Klaasen flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Pat Cummins to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length on off, Klaasen punches it towards point for a single.
Pat Cummins to Rassie van der Dussen. Full delivery on off, Rassie drives it towards covers for a run.
Pat Cummins to Heinrich Klaasen. Full delivery on off, Klaasen drives it back towards the bowler where Cummins tries to stop it but it hits his foot and goes towards cover. The batsmen take a single.
Pat Cummins to Rassie van der Dussen. Length delivery on off, van der Dussen guides it towards third man for a single.
Pat Cummins to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length on middle, Klaasen flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Pat Cummins to Heinrich Klaasen. FOUR! Fine finding of the gap! On a length outside off, Klaasen just punches it. The ball is perfectly bisecting short third man and backward point and racing to the fence! 158 more needed from 95 balls now.
Change of ends for Pat Cummins. 1-0-6-0 are his figures so far.
Kane Richardson to Rassie van der Dussen. Good length delivery outside off, van der Dussen looks to cut but gets a bottom edge on this one.
Kane Richardson to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length on off, Klaasen punches it towards point for a run.
Kane Richardson to Heinrich Klaasen. SIX! That is clobbered! Short of a length delivery, Klaasen pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Kane Richardson to Heinrich Klaasen. Length delivery on off, Klaasen plays it to covers.
Kane Richardson to Heinrich Klaasen. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Klaasen looks to cut but misses it.
Kane Richardson to Rassie van der Dussen. Length delivery on off, van der Dussen punches it towards covers for a single.
Kane Richardson is on.
Mitchell Starc to Heinrich Klaasen. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Klaasen looks to guide but misses it. Starc goes for 11 but also gets the wicket of Faf.
Mitchell Starc to Heinrich Klaasen. WIDE! Short delivery down the leg side, Klaasen lets it go.
Heinrich Klaasen walks in at number 4, replacing Faf du Plessis. For those who don't know, he injured himself 5 minutes before the toss in the first game. Today too, he had to pass a fitness test and then get in. Big job on his hands.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. OUT! CAUGHT! Well, Zampa is smiling but he nearly let that one slip. Full delivery wide outside off, would have been a wide had it been untouched but du Plessis goes after it. Reaches out and looks to go over covers but gets a top edge. It goes towards third man where Adam Zampa initially comes running in but loses it someway during his run. He then has to backtrack and somehow clasps onto it, behind his head. Two wickets in as many overs for Starc.
Mitchell Starc to Rassie van der Dussen. Full delivery on off, van der Dussen drives it towards covers for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! This is even better! Short and outside off, van der Dussen slaps it over covers for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to Rassie van der Dussen. FOUR! Wow. That is some shot. Full delivery on middle, bowled at none slower than 146 kph, van der Dussen hammers it straight back over the bowler, down the ground to the long on fence.
Mitchell Starc to Rassie van der Dussen. WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Rassie leaves it alone.
Mitchell Starc to Rassie van der Dussen. Short delivery just outside off, van der Dussen looks to pull but misses it.
Pat Cummins to Rassie van der Dussen. Short delivery on off, van der Dussen cuts it towards point for a run.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Length delivery on off, du Plessis punches it towards point for a single.
Pat Cummins to Rassie van der Dussen. On a good length on off, van der Dussen defends it towards covers for a run.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. On a length on middle, du Plessis flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. Length delivery on off, du Plessis punches it to covers.
Pat Cummins to Faf du Plessis. On a length on middle, du Plessis flicks it through square leg. The batsmen get two runs.
Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. Short delivery on leg, du Plessis flicks it towards square leg for a single. Terrific start from Mitchell Starc.
Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis. No wide signalled! Strange. Full delivery down the leg side, du Plessis looks to flick but misses it. The former skipper looks at the square leg umpire, then the main umpire and stays bemused. Did that hit the pads? No confirmation.
Faf du Plessis is the new batsman in.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. OUT! BOWLED! Almost an action replay of the first game. Starc to de Kock, length ball, batsman missing, stumps shattered. In the first game, de Kock swung across the line. In this case, he is squared up. A sensational nut from Starc. He lands it on a length around leg and Quinton looks to defend. But the ball lands and then seams away to beat the outside edge. The middle pole is out for an evening walk. Big blow to South Africa.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! First boundary of the chase! Full delivery on middle, de Kock drives it through mid on for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc to Rassie van der Dussen. On a length on off, van der Dussen pushes it towards covers for a single and gets off the mark.
Mitchell Starc to Quinton de Kock. Starc starts with a full delivery on off, de Kock drives it towards covers where Wade makes a fine stop. The batsmen still manage to take a single.
We are back for the chase. The Australian players are out in the middle. Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen will open the innings for South Africa. Mitchell Starc will start the proceedings for Australia.