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

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. 

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.  

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) 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Aaron Finch wins toss and opts to field first. 

“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.”

Australia: Glenn Maxwell & David Warner

South Africa: Tabraiz Shamsi & Rassie van der Dussen

Are you as excited as Harsha? 

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.  

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 

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.  

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma speaks ahead of the contest. 

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. 

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!