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AUSTRALIA easily disposed of India by nine wickets in their opening Super Eight match on Friday and they will look to continue that fine form against Twenty20’s top-ranked nation, South Africa. The Australians produced a merciless display with both bat and ball against India at the ICC World Twenty20.
Shane Watson led the team’s bowling attack with 3-34, while Pat Cummins (2-16) and Mitch Starc (1-27) also chipped in, as Australia restricted India to just 140 runs from their 20 overs.
Watson, the competition’s second-most lethal batsman with 164 runs, showcased those talents with a 72-run knock, which included two boundaries and seven sixes.
The two-time Allan Border medallist combined with David Warner (unbeaten 63 off 41) for an opening-wicket stand of 133 before he was dismissed.
Australia face South Africa in their second Super Eight fixture at R Premadasa Stadium today and Watson knows T20s are always an unpredictable prospect.
“It’s been pretty amazing, the first couple of games. You just hope that you’re sort of able to continue your form going,” he said.
“Cricket is a very fickle game. It’s such a fine line between having a very good game and also having a pretty poor game as well.”
As Australia aim to put one foot in the door of the semi-finals, South Africa are attempting to keep pace with the group’s leaders and remain in the competition.
The Proteas booked their spot in the Super Eight with two victories in the group stages but fell to a two-wicket loss at the hands of Pakistan.
Opening batsmen Richard Levi and Hashim Amla, who often set the tone for South Africa’s innings, were dismissed early for eight and six respectively.
Their short stay at the crease, combined with Jacques Kallis’ 12 and Farhaan Behardien’s 18 saw South Africa reduced to 4-66 before struggling to 6-133 at the end of 20 overs.
The only shining light in their batting lineup was Jean-Paul Duminy’s 48 off 38 balls, while paceman Dale Steyn maintained his impressive form with figures of 3-22.
And if South Africa have any chance of living up to their No.1 tag, the likes of Amla and Steyn will need to be at their best against an Australian side intent on attacking from the get-go. (CA)
Shane Watson led the team’s bowling attack with 3-34, while Pat Cummins (2-16) and Mitch Starc (1-27) also chipped in, as Australia restricted India to just 140 runs from their 20 overs.
Watson, the competition’s second-most lethal batsman with 164 runs, showcased those talents with a 72-run knock, which included two boundaries and seven sixes.
The two-time Allan Border medallist combined with David Warner (unbeaten 63 off 41) for an opening-wicket stand of 133 before he was dismissed.
Australia face South Africa in their second Super Eight fixture at R Premadasa Stadium today and Watson knows T20s are always an unpredictable prospect.
“It’s been pretty amazing, the first couple of games. You just hope that you’re sort of able to continue your form going,” he said.
“Cricket is a very fickle game. It’s such a fine line between having a very good game and also having a pretty poor game as well.”
As Australia aim to put one foot in the door of the semi-finals, South Africa are attempting to keep pace with the group’s leaders and remain in the competition.
The Proteas booked their spot in the Super Eight with two victories in the group stages but fell to a two-wicket loss at the hands of Pakistan.
Opening batsmen Richard Levi and Hashim Amla, who often set the tone for South Africa’s innings, were dismissed early for eight and six respectively.
Their short stay at the crease, combined with Jacques Kallis’ 12 and Farhaan Behardien’s 18 saw South Africa reduced to 4-66 before struggling to 6-133 at the end of 20 overs.
The only shining light in their batting lineup was Jean-Paul Duminy’s 48 off 38 balls, while paceman Dale Steyn maintained his impressive form with figures of 3-22.
And if South Africa have any chance of living up to their No.1 tag, the likes of Amla and Steyn will need to be at their best against an Australian side intent on attacking from the get-go. (CA)
