AUS vs SA Ball by Ball Commentary

2:00 PM IST Right then! We had a thrilling game here but the action continues in the second clash of the day. It is a rematch of the 2016 T20 World Cup final as West Indies will take on England. That action will begin at 6 pm Local (2 pm GMT). So join us for the same. Switch tabs and enjoy that action!

1:49 PM IST Aaron Finch, the skipper of Australia, says that they were pretty nervous in the end but credits Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade for the way they batted at the end. Adds that the bowlers bowled well and says that Glenn Maxwell bowled beautifully. Tells that the guys need to be rested keeping in mind the workload of the players and they have got some world-class players in their lineup. Credits the South African team by saying that they are one of the best fielding sides going around and they bowled well throughout.

1:52 PM IST Temba Bavuma, the skipper of South Africa, says that they were resilient in the game and credits the team for taking the game deep. Adds that the Australian bowlers bowled well and did not give the batters many freebies. Credits Aiden Markram for the way he batted and says that the other batters must step up. Finishes by saying that there were positives in this game for them.

1:37 PM IST Josh Hazlewood, Player of the Match, says length was the key on that wicket. Adds that he was lucky to get the wicket of Quinton de Kock. Tells that the wicket is a bit slow and mentions that they bowled really well. Credits Glenn Maxwell by saying that he was brilliant with the ball in hand and played the role of an all-rounder.

1:37 PM IST Earlier in the day, after electing to bowl, the Australian bowlers restricted South Africa to a low total thanks to a combined bowling effort. Aiden Markram was the only one from South Africa who played well and it was because of him they got close to 120. Their bowlers really made a good fight of it but it was the crucial stand between Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade that gave the Aussies the win.

1:36 PM IST The South African bowlers bowled with all their heart! They were also exceptional in the field. Just hardly bowled any freebies. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje were exceptional at the start. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi kept the pressure going. Dwaine Pretorius also did a handy job but one just feels they just did not have enough runs on the board. Another 15 runs or so, it could well have been a different story.

1:34 PM IST Australia though always found run-scoring tough, they lost their top three quickly. Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell then steadied the ship with a good stand and just as it seemed like the two are going to take the Aussies home, Smith fell. Maxwell soon followed. They needed around 9 per over when Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade found themselves in the middle. The two batted really sensibly and took their side over the line.

1:47 PM IST What a game of cricket! In the end, it is the Aussies who get the vital two points but credit to South Africa to make a match out of it as at the halfway mark, we felt it is going to be a one-sided contest. Credit to Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade who came in when the game was in balance and have done the job with a match-winning stand.

1:30 PM IST FOUR! THERE IT IS! A full toss, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hits it to the mid-wicket fence. Australia win by 5 wickets!

1:29 PM IST Dot ball. Full ball, on off. Hit straight to mid off.

1:28 PM IST FOUR! That should seal the game for the Aussies! A full ball, on off. Marcus Stoinis hits it straight down the ground for a boundary. The man from long on and long off have no chance to stop it whatsoever.

1:28 PM IST A low full toss, outside off. Marcus Stoinis whips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

1:26 PM IST Just a single and 8 needed from the last over. A full one, outside off. Marcus Stoinis drills it to long off for one.

1:25 PM IST FOUR! A much-needed boundary for the Aussies! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hits it over mid-wicket. The man from long on gets to his right but the ball wins the race.

1:24 PM IST Just a single now. Full and wide outside off. Wade slices it to deep backward point for one.

1:24 PM IST A low and wide full toss. Marcus Stoinis hits it to sweeper cover for one.

1:23 PM IST Dropped! A full one, on off. Marcus Stoinis hits it hard down the ground. Nortje puts his right hand out. The ball hits it and goes down the ground for a couple.

1:22 PM IST A full toss, outside off. Wade slices it to third man for one.

1:19 PM IST Slower ball, yorker-length, outside off. Matthew Wade carves it to long off. A single taken! 18 runs needed off 12 balls!

1:18 PM IST Back of a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis falt-bats it to long on and collects a single.

1:18 PM IST Slower ball, fuller in length and way outside off. Matthew Wade squeezes it to backward point for a run.

1:17 PM IST Good-length ball, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hangs back and punches it to long off for a run.

1:17 PM IST Another full ball, well outside off. Matthew Wade slices it to deep point for one.

1:16 PM IST Wide! Too wide, outside off. Matthew Wade lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.

1:15 PM IST Full ball, outside off. Marcus Stoinis drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

1:15 PM IST Dwaine Pretorius (2-0-9-0) is back on.

1:19 PM IST FOUR! Amazing, amazing shot by Wade! The Australian dugout is looking a bit more relieved now. On a length, wide outside off. Wade shuffles across and paddles it over short fine leg. The ball runs to the fence. 25 needed in the last 3 overs now.

1:12 PM IST A perfect yorker, on off. Wade blocks it out.

1:12 PM IST FOUR! Just short of Markram and it goes for a boundary! Length ball, on off. Wade hits it in the air towards mid off. Markram runs in and dives for the catch but the ball drops just short of him. It then runs to the fence.

1:11 PM IST Full one, on the pads. Stoinis whips it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

1:10 PM IST Full and wide one. Wade runs it to third man for a single.

1:09 PM IST A high full toss, on off. Stoinis hits it to long on for one.

1:10 PM IST Kagiso Rabada (3-0-17-1) comes back into the attack.

1:07 PM IST Flatter ball, around middle and leg. Marcus Stoinis flicks it to deep mid-wicket and takes one. Australia need 36 runs from 24 balls!

1:07 PM IST A bit quicker through the air, around off, turning in sharply. Marcus Stoinis gets an inside edge onto his pads.

1:06 PM IST Floated, around middle. Marcus Stoinis reverse-paddles it to short third man.

1:06 PM IST Tossed up, on middle. Matthew Wade tucks it to the leg side to get off the mark with a run.

1:05 PM IST Matthew Wade is the new batter. A slip in place to welcome him.

1:03 PM IST OUT! BOWLED! The Big Show departs and the Proteas are right back in this game! Tossed up, on middle. Glenn Maxwell looks to play another switch hit but he misses it completely this time and the ball crashes onto his stumps. Shamsi is ecstatic and so are his teammates! South Africa BELIEVE!

1:03 PM IST Tossed up, around off. Glenn Maxwell hits it hard back to the bowler. Tabraiz Shamsi puts his boot in to stop the ball.

1:02 PM IST Short ball, around off. Glenn Maxwell mistimes his pull shot. The ball goes behind square on the leg side for one.

1:00 PM IST Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat.

1:00 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! WOW! That is a stunning catch by Aiden Markram at wide long on. South Africa are delighted as they get to see the back of Steven Smith! Short of a length, outside off. Steven Smith looks to pull yet again but it goes off the toe end as he turns the face of the bat too early. The ball goes to the right of the long on fielder. Aiden Markram runs there, dives full stretch to his right and takes a screamer! Will this bring South Africa back in the game?

12:59 PM IST FOUR! Top shot! Short of a length, outside off. Smith swivels and pulls in front of square to collect a boundary.

12:58 PM IST An appeal for LBW but the umpire says no. Back of a length, around off. Steven Smith looks to flick but misses and gets hit high on his pad.

1:00 PM IST Good-length ball, outside off. Steven Smith stays back and plays the square drive but finds the backward point fielder.

12:57 PM IST Leg bye! Good-length ball, darted on the pads. Glenn Maxwell misses his whip and gets hit on the pad. The ball rolls away behind square on the leg side and the batters sneak in a leg bye.

12:56 PM IST Change. Anrich Nortje (2-0-6-1) is back on.

12:55 PM IST A dot to end the over! Quicker ball, around off. Steven Smith stays back and guides it to short third man. 44 runs needed off 36 balls!

12:55 PM IST Flatter ball, around middle. Glenn Maxwell miscues his switch hit and the ball goes towards sweeper cover. A single taken.

12:54 PM IST Floated, outside off. Steven Smith smashes it straight down the ground. Aiden Markram runs across from long off and keeps it to two.

12:54 PM IST Shorter ball, on the pads. Smith tucks it to square leg.

12:53 PM IST Tossed up, around off, turning in late. Glenn Maxwell drills it to long on for a single.

12:52 PM IST FOUR! There comes the switch hit! Tossed up, around off. Glenn Maxwell brings out the switch hit and collects a boundary as the ball goes over short third man.

12:50 PM IST Another quicker ball, around leg. Glenn Maxwell flicks it to deep mid-wicket to collect a run.

12:50 PM IST Quicker ball, darted on the pads. Steven Smith tucks it to the leg side for one.

12:50 PM IST FOUR! Lovely shot! Flatter ball, around leg. Steven Smith backs away and goes inside out over cover and collects a boundary.

12:49 PM IST Just a tad short, around middle. Glenn Maxwell pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

12:49 PM IST Tossed up, on leg. Steven Smith drills it to long on for a single.

12:48 PM IST Tossed up, on middle. Steven Smith turns it to mid-wicket.

12:47 PM IST Outside off, Smith carves it through point for one more. South Africa contiune to keep it tidy.

12:47 PM IST Just the one again! Dealing in singles are Australia at the moment! Outside off, this is hit through point for one.

12:46 PM IST A slight misfield but just the one! Outside off, this is driven towards point, the fielder does not stop it cleanly. A single taken.

12:46 PM IST Maxwell makes use of his wrists this time and plays it through mid-wicket for one.

12:45 PM IST Angled into the pads, Smith works it through square leg for one.

12:45 PM IST Just wide! Slightly fuller and on off, Smith looks to drive but does so uppishly, it goes just wide of the outstretched hand of the bowler and to mid off.

12:44 PM IST A huge appeal but turned down! On the pads, Maxwell looks to flick, it hits the pad and de Kock takes it. End of another good over. 64 needed in 54.

12:44 PM IST Really nicely bowled! Slows it up and lands it on off, Maxwell plays it back to the bowler.

12:43 PM IST Flatter this time and on the pads, it is pushed down to long on for one.

12:43 PM IST Just the one again! Angled into the pads, Maxwell flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

12:42 PM IST Slower but shorter, this is pushed down to long on for one.

12:42 PM IST Angled into the pads, this is worked around the corner for one.

12:40 PM IST Drinks break! Folks, this game is headed to a thrilling finish. A lot will depend on these two if the Aussies are to win this but a couple of quick wickets here could put South Africa in control of the game. Smith holds the key for Australia as he is looking in good form and these are the kinds of situations that he excels in.

12:38 PM IST Fuller and on the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

12:38 PM IST Good shot but only for one! Fuller and on middle, this is driven down to long on for a single. Fifty up for the Aussies!

12:37 PM IST Yet another dot! Outside off, shorter, Smith guides it to point.

12:36 PM IST Good length and on off, Maxwell pushes it through covers for one.

12:36 PM IST BEATEN! Flirts at one which is shorter and outside off, Maxwell looks to push at it but misses.

12:35 PM IST Outside off, this is guided through point for one.

12:35 PM IST Dwaine Pretorius comes on now.

12:34 PM IST That should have been another wicket! Big opportunity goes abegging! Shamsi tosses this up nicely well outside off. Smith goes after it with hard hands, he gets an inside edge towards short fine leg. Maxwell goes for a run. He is struggling. The fielder comes in and fires it to the keeper but the throw is not the best one. Maxwell was well short had it been a good throw. This could well cost South Africa big time. The desperation for a run there just shows the Aussies are under pressure here.

12:33 PM IST Flatter and on off, Smith goes back and blocks.

12:33 PM IST FOUR! Deft! Brilliant shot! He almost played that right before the keeper's gloves! Flatter and outside off, Smith plays it very late and past backward point for a boundary. Welcome one.

12:32 PM IST On the pads, it is worked with soft hands through square leg. They take the first one quickly but have to settle for a single.

12:32 PM IST Tossed up on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

12:31 PM IST Full and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

12:30 PM IST Flatter ball, outside off. Maxwell taps it behind square on the off side. Anrich Nortje runs to his left from short third man and stops the ball. A single to end the over.

12:29 PM IST Glenn Maxwell walks out to bat.

12:28 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Huge wicket this for the Proteas as the in-form Mitchell Marsh departs! Maharaj serves a full ball, on the pads. Marsh whips it aerially but the ball goes straight to Rassie van der Dussen at deep mid-wicket who takes a good catch.

12:27 PM IST Fuller in length, on middle. Smith eases it down the ground for a run.

12:27 PM IST Floated, on off. Mitchell Marsh drills it to long off for a run.

12:26 PM IST Good running! Tossed up, om middle. Marsh drives it past long off and collects a couple of runs.

12:26 PM IST Flatter ball, outside off. Steven Smith punches it to sweeper cover and takes a single.

12:25 PM IST A dot to end the over! Tossed up, on middle. Mitchell Marsh plays the reverse sweep but finds the short third man fielder yet again!

12:24 PM IST Shamsi serves a shorter ball, down leg. Steven Smith tucks it to the leg side for a brace.

12:24 PM IST A half-tracker, around middle. Marsh rocks back and pulls it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for one.

12:23 PM IST Floated, outside off. Mitchell Marsh plays the reverse sweep but finds the short third man fielder.

12:22 PM IST Flatter ball, on middle. Steven Smith tucks it behind square on the leg side for a single.

12:22 PM IST Tossed up, outside off. Steven Smith carves it through covers for a couple.

12:22 PM IST Change. Tabraiz Shamsi comes on now.

12:21 PM IST Flatter ball, on middle. Marsh tucks it to mid-wicket. At the end of the Powerplay, Australia are 28/2.

12:20 PM IST Just a tad short, on off. Mitchell Marsh lofts it over the bowler and takes a couple.

12:20 PM IST Floated, around off. Mitchell Marsh pushes it back to the bowler.

12:20 PM IST Tossed up, outside off. Steven Smith drives it to long off and collects a run.

12:19 PM IST Shorter ball, on middle. Mitchell Marsh flicks it to mid-wicket for a run.

12:19 PM IST Flatter ball, on middle. Steven Smith tucks it to the leg side for one.

12:20 PM IST Change. Keshav Maharaj comes on now.

12:20 PM IST FOUR! Nicely done! Short ball, around off. Steven Smith works it behind square on the leg side. Dwaine Pretorius runs across to his left and puts in a slide to stop the ball. The batters take three.

12:16 PM IST A bumper, around leg. Steven Smith sways away from the line of the ball.

12:16 PM IST Back of a length, on off. Smith gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it.

12:16 PM IST Who will bat at number 4? Steven Smith it is.

12:14 PM IST OUT! TAKEN! Just what South Africa needed at this stage! Kagiso Rabada picks the big wicket of David Warner! Full ball, around off. Warner looks to drive but it goes off the outer half of the bat towards Heinrich Klaasen at backward point who takes a good low catch. Rabada looks pumped and Australia lose their second wicket!

12:13 PM IST Short of a length, around off. David Warner hops in his crease to block this one out.

12:13 PM IST FOUR! CRUNCHED! Back of a length, outside off. David Warner stays back and cuts it past point for a boundary.

12:12 PM IST Dot to finish the over. So, just a boundary from it. Full ball, on off. Marsh hits it back to the bowler.

12:11 PM IST On a length, on off. Marsh blocks this one with ease.

12:11 PM IST Back of a length, on off. Marsh looks to pull it away but misses.

12:10 PM IST Fuller ball, on off. Marsh pushes it to mid off.

12:09 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. Marsh looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

12:08 PM IST FOUR! Nicely done! Full ball, on the pads. Marsh flicks it away for a boundary.

12:08 PM IST A high full toss, on off. Warner is taken by surprise and blocks it. It is not called a no ball though.

12:06 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. Warner misses the flick and is hit on the stomach.

12:06 PM IST FOUR! Top shot! Full ball, outside off. Warner drives it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

12:05 PM IST Short of a length, on off. Warner leaps up and taps it back on the deck.

12:05 PM IST Length ball, on off. Punched to covers.

12:05 PM IST FOUR! Classic David Warner! Short ball, around off. The southpaw swivels and pulls it to the square leg fence.

12:04 PM IST Short of a length, outside off. Marsh looks to punch but misses. 2 runs and a wicket from that over.

12:03 PM IST Mitchell Marsh is the new man in.

12:02 PM IST OUT! TAKEN! There comes the first wicket and the pair of Rabada and Nortje does the magic! Short of a length, wide outside off. Finch throws the bat at it but gets the outside edge. The ball flies to third man. Rabada runs in to his left and slides to take a good catch.

12:01 PM IST Tap and run. Length ball, around leg. Warner taps it towards short mid-wicket for a quick single.

12:00 PM IST Length ball, down the leg side. Warner misses the flick. De Kock dives to his right and collects the ball.

11:59 AM IST Dot again. On a length, around off. Warner taps it to point.

11:59 AM IST Full ball, on the pads. Warner flicks it. The man at short mid-wicket dives to his right and stops the ball.

11:58 AM IST Play and a miss! Full ball, outside off. Warner is stuck to the crease while looking to drive and misses.

11:58 AM IST Who will bowl from the other end? Anrich Nortje it is.

11:57 AM IST Dot to finish the over. Fuller ball, on off. Finch looks to drive but gets the inside edge to mid-wicket. 2 from the first over.

11:57 AM IST Dot again. On a length, just outside off. Finch stays in the crease and blocks it.

11:56 AM IST Length ball, way down the leg side. Left alone and called a wide.

11:55 AM IST Short of a length, outside off. Finch goes for the punch but is beaten. Good bowling by Rabada.

11:55 AM IST In the air...but safe! Length ball, outside off. Finch comes down the track to flick but gets the top edge. The ball goes to the right of Rabada. He tries to get there but does not.

11:54 AM IST Tap and run. Length ball, on off. Warner taps it to short cover and sets off for a quick single.

11:54 AM IST Rabada serves a length ball, on off. Blocked out by Warner.