Australia vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Australia beat South Africa by 5 wickets

Australia vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: The match will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 23.

AUS vs SA T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Australia beat South Africa by 5 wickets. (AP)

Australia vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Australia started their T20 World Cup campaign with a nervy win against South Africa in the first match of the Super 12 stage. Chasing a paltry 119, the Proteas bowlers kept their side in the hunt until the final over before Marcus Stoinis closed the game and helped Australia beat South Africa by five wickets. After being asked to bat first, South Africa managed just 118/9 in 20 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa did the job perfectly for Australia as the seamer rattled the Proteas top-order, while Zampa provided the team with crucial blows in the middle-overs. In response, Australia got off to a slow start losing skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner early. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell then joined the proceedings and kept the scorecard ticking, before a brilliant effort in the deep by Aiden Markram ended Smith's innings. Maxwell too departed after that but Stoinis held his nerve and helped his side finish the contest with two balls to spare. ...Read More

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• 23 Oct 2021, 07:03:44 PM IST

  Australia win by five wickets

  Marcus Stoinis finishes the match in style, whacks Dwaine Pretorius for a four in the mid-wicket region. The all-rounder finishes the contest unbeaten on 24 off 16 balls as Australia complete the 119-run chase with two balls to spare and win the contest by five wickets.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:58:00 PM IST

  Australia in driver's seat

  A crucial boundary in the second last delivery of the penultimate over bowled by Anrich Nortje puts Australia in the driver's seat. They need 8 off the final over. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:52:34 PM IST

  A great over by Dwaine Pretorius

  A great over by Dwaine Pretorius as just seven runs come off it. The match is still hanging with the equation swinging from Australia's favour to South Africa. AUS- 101/5 (18 overs)

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:47:09 PM IST

  Three overs to go

  Three overs remain and Australia need 25 more to win. Can South Africa pull off an incredible win or will Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade guide Australia home. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:38:43 PM IST

  Game on

  The match is not over yet. After Aiden Markram's blinder, Tabrez Shamsi cleans up Glenn Maxwell in the following over as Australia go five down with 83 on the board after 16 overs. They need 36 to win in final four overs.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:33:30 PM IST

  Aiden Markram plucks a stunner

  Aiden Markram plucks a stunner in the deep, leaving Steve Smith stunned with his efforts. The fielder runs towards the ball and jumps forward to pull a blinder at the mid-wicket region, which brings an end to Smith's stay in the middle. The batter departs for 35(34) as Australia lose fourth wicket. Can South Africa turn it around from here?  

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:26:38 PM IST

  Maxwell plays his signature shot

  Enough of watching by Maxwell as he welcomes Tabraiz Shamsi with his signature sweep for a four towards the third-man region. A total of seven runs come off it as Australia reach 75/3 after 14 overs.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:19:52 PM IST

  Maxwell, Smith make it look easy

  Glenn Maxwell along with Steve Smith are stitching an important partnership here as the pair are helping the team move in the right direction. Both have so far stitched 22 runs for the fourth wicket to help Australia reach 60/3 after 12 overs. They now require 59 to win from 48 balls.   

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:09:50 PM IST

  The equation so far

  Despite defending a paltry 119, South Africa bowlers have so far kept themselves in the hunt as Australia reach 51/3 after 10 overs. Australia need another 68 to win in 60 balls. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 06:01:15 PM IST

  South Africa fightback

  Keshav Maharaj picks his first wicket of the match to keep South Africa in the hunt. Mitchell Marsh departs on 11 off 17 balls as Australia reach 39/3 after seven overs. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:53:11 PM IST

  End of powerplay

  The powerplays are done and Australia have managed to add 28/2 in the first six overs. They need another 91 to win from 84 balls, while South Africa need eight wickets. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:51:28 PM IST

  Warner departs

  David Warner, who did show signs of returning back to form, is sent packing on 14(15) by Rabada as Australia lose their second man. They are batting on 23/2 after five overs. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:44:25 PM IST

  Another tight over by Nortje

  After being hit for a four in the first ball by Mitchell Marsh, Nortje recovers well and bowls five consecutive dot balls to end the over. AUS-16/1 (4 overs)

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:39:20 PM IST

  Warner smashes two boundaries

  David Warner shows signs of returning to form as he smashes Rabada for two fours in his second over. After the end of three overs Australia are batting on 12/1 after 3 overs. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:33:27 PM IST

  South Africa start strong

  South Africa start strong as both Rabada and Anrich Nortje cramp the Australian batters for room and maintain a tight length and they are also rewarded with a wicket. Aaron Finch departs on duck. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:27:03 PM IST

  The chase begins

  Aaron Finch and David Warner arrive in the middle to start the chase. Kagiso Rabada will lead the attack for South Africa. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:14:09 PM IST

  South Africa post 118/9

  Some late hitting by Kagiso Rabada help South Africa post a respectable 118/9 in 20 overs. Rabada finished the innings unbeaten on 19 from 23 balls. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 05:01:13 PM IST

  South Africa edge past 100-run mark

  Aiden Markram loses his wicket just when he was looking to shift gears. Goes for the aerial route against Mitchell Starc but finds Maxwell almost in the mid-wicket region, who makes no mistake in the end.

  Meanwhile, a huge cheer around the venue as South Africa edge past the 100-run mark after the end of 18 overs.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:56:25 PM IST

  Good over for South Africa

  A good over from South Africa's perspective as 12 runs come off it. It started off with Markram smashing Hazlewood for a six over the mid-wicket region and a powerful drive by Kagiso Rabada. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:49:23 PM IST

  What are the experts saying? 

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:48:15 PM IST

  Can SA cross the 100-run mark?

  South Africa lose three wickets in the span of 9 deliveries as they are now reduced to 83/7 after 15 overs.

  Can they cross the 100-run mark?

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:43:47 PM IST

  South Africa in trouble

  There are no end to South Africa's woes at the moment. After losing a set Miller and Pretorius in the previous over, Keshav Maharaj now returns to a dugout after being run-out on 0. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:40:06 PM IST

  Two wickets in one over

  Big blow to South Africa, just when they needed their set batters to change the gears, they lose David Miller, who is trapped LBW by Adam Zampa on 16 off 18 balls. The spinner adds another wicket to his tally and removes Dwaine Pretorius in the final ball of his over.  

  SA: 82/6 (14overs)  

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:32:56 PM IST

  Markram-Miller stitch partnership

  The pair of Aiden Markram and David Miller are taking their time but are also making sure that they keep the scoreboard ticking. So far the pair have added 32 runs from 31 balls as South Africa reach 77/4 after 13 overs.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:29:08 PM IST

  Run-out opportunity and a boundary

  A run-out opportunity and a boundary to end the over, everything is happening in the middle as South Africa reach 71 for 4 after 12 overs. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:24:54 PM IST

  Drinks break!

  A drinks break in the middle and there will surely be some discussion between the two South Africa batters on how to proceed further. At this moment, the team are reeling at less than run a ball with the scorecard reading 63 for 4 after the end of 11 overs. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:18:58 PM IST

  10 overs are done

  We are done with 10 overs and looking at the scorecard, one can say it has been a fruitful outing for the Australian bowlers. They have stopped South Africa from scoring freely as the Proteas manage just 59 runs and have lost four wickets. Present in the crease are Aiden Markram and David Miller, the pair now holds the key for South Africa.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:10:16 PM IST

  South Africa lose 4th wicket

  Henrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram try to reshape the innings after the early blows. However, just when things looked to be working for the Proteas they lose another wicket in the form of Klassen, who departs after scoring 13 from the same number of balls. 

  SA: 46/4 (8 overs) 

• 23 Oct 2021, 04:00:31 PM IST

  End of powerplay! 

  We are done with the powerplays and it has been a fantastic start by Australia as they pick three wickets in the first six overs. 

  Meanwhile, South Africa add 29 on the scoreboard. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:53:04 PM IST

  South Africa in trouble

  South Africa are in deep deep trouble as Josh Hazlewood picks his second wicket of the match. This time it is Quinton de Kock, who is clean bowled by the Aussie quick on 7(12).  

  With this the Proteas are reduced to 23/3 after 4.2 overs.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:44:17 PM IST

  Big wicket! 

  Josh Hazlewood strikes in his first ball of the match as he removes the dangerous Rassie van der Dussen on 2(3). South Africa are two down with just 16 on the board in 2.1 overs. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:39:19 PM IST

  Maxwell strikes

  Glenn Maxwell introduced early in the attack and the all-rounder delivers in his third delivery. Cleans up Bavuma on 12(7) with an offie as South Africa lose their first man. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:36:28 PM IST

  Two boundaries come in first over

  Two boundaries come in the first over off Temba Bavuma's bat as South Africa fetch 11 runs from it. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:31:17 PM IST

  Here we go!

  Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma have arrived in the middle to kick-start the proceedings. Mitchell Starc leads the attack for Australia. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:26:06 PM IST

  Pre-match rituals

  Both the teams have assembled in the centre for the respective national anthems. We are moments away from the clash. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:20:21 PM IST

  Shane Warne sends his wishes

  Ex-Australian spinner Shane Warne wishes Aaron Finch & Co goodluck. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:10:05 PM IST

  Playing XIs

  South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

  Australia: Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:08:38 PM IST

  Captains speak

  Temba Bavuma: It's been a previlege to lead the team in the tournament. Two spinners, KG, Notje, an all-rounder and an extra batsman in Klassen. We are coming off with some real momentum - we have confidence in our team and we'll look to do well.

  ​Aaron Finch: We would like to bowl first. Looks like a good wicket, can't see things changing a lot during the course of the game. We have a lot of experience in the side, we haven't played as a group, but we're looking forward to this tournament. Tough selection choices, but Ashwon Agar, Kane Ricjhardson, Josh Inglish and Mitch Swepson miss out.

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:05:08 PM IST

  Australia win toss

  Aaron Finch wins toss and opts to field first. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 03:00:57 PM IST

  Pitch report by Sunil Gavaskar & Danny Morrison 

  “It's a very good pitch, the grass looks even and it suggests that the new-ball bowlers will get some help, even the spinners should enjoy this surface. It's very warm in Abu Dhabi - short square boundaries (64 and 65m)​ and that should be great news for players like Glenn Maxwell, who can play those 360 degree shots.”

• 23 Oct 2021, 02:52:20 PM IST

  Players to watchout for 

  Australia: Glenn Maxwell & David Warner

  South Africa: Tabraiz Shamsi & Rassie van der Dussen

• 23 Oct 2021, 02:43:20 PM IST

  The buzz

  Are you as excited as Harsha? 

• 23 Oct 2021, 02:40:17 PM IST

  A look at previous record

  South Africa enter the contest on the back of a confident win over Pakistan in warm-up tie. Riding on Rassie van der Dussen's solid ton, the team completed a 187-run chase rather comfortably. 

  Australia, on the other hand, faced an eight-wicket drubbing in their warm-up tie against India.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 02:20:02 PM IST

  AUS vs SA Predicted XIs

  Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Ashton Agar/Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood 

  South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi 

• 23 Oct 2021, 02:18:02 PM IST

  Head-To-Head

  Both the teams have met in 21 T20I encounters with Australia having the upper edge. Out of the 21 matches, Australia have won 13, South Africa have won 8 times. The team have so far met once in T20 World Cup, with Australia winning the tie.  

• 23 Oct 2021, 02:03:44 PM IST

  South Africa skipper

  South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma speaks ahead of the contest. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 01:54:12 PM IST

  Australia's area of concern

  David Warner has not been among the runs in his recent outings. The batter was dismissed on 0 and then 1 in the warm-up ties. However, team skipper Aaron Finch has backed the opener to fire and play a key role in Australia's campaign. 

  "He's one of the greatest players Australia's ever produced and I've got no doubts that come game one, he'll be up and firing, ready to go," Finch said ahead of the contest, and now it will be interesting to see if Warner can match the captain's expectations. 

• 23 Oct 2021, 01:48:21 PM IST

  Hello and welcome!

  Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of the T20 World Cup Super 12 clash between Australia and South Africa. Both the sides are playing their first match and will look to make a winning start to their campaign in the showpiece event. Stay tuned for updates!