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In the opening match of the Super 12 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021, Australia defeated South Africa by five wickets at Sheikh Zaye♔d Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Chasing a paltry target of 119,🌺 Australia had a dreadful start, losing three wickets for just 38 runs in 7.5 overs.
Then, the experienced duo of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell took charge and tried to calm things down. The pair went on to add crucial 42-runs for the fourth wicket before Markram to🐬ok a stunning catch to get rid of Smith (35).
In the very next over, Tabraiz Shamsi cleaned up dangerous Maxwell (18) to bring back Proteas into the game. However, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade ruined South Africa hopes by add🔥ing a match-winning unbeaten stand of 40 runs fꦡor the sixth wicket.
Stoinis and Wade remained not out on 24 and 15 to complete the chase in 19.4 overs as Australia won the conte💟st by five wickets.
Earlier, South Africa could only manage to get 118/9 on the board in their allotted 20 overs. Aiden Markram was the only batter who stood up against the top-quality Australian bowling. The right-handed batsman top-scored with 40 off 36 balls, including three fours and a six. Apart from Markram, tailender Kagiso Rabada was the second-best scorer with 19 from 23༺ ✤deliveries.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood (2/19), Adam Zampa (2/21) and Mitchell Starc (2/32) were the most effective bowlers with two wickets apiece. Pat Cummins (1/17) and Maxwell (1/24) claimed one scalp each.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Stoin and Wadey’s experience ve📖ry important in t🤡hat chase 🎯
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist)
They’ll take it but the main questions still yet to be answered after t൩hat performance from the Aussies
— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7)
//twitter.com/benjoꦕnescricket/st🦩atus/1451904370396721161
Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade have opened the batting for their꧅ respe🉐ctive BBL franchises for several years.
Playing out of position, t🍌he duo gets Au🥂stralia home with two balls to spare.
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1)
last 22 T20Is:
Won 7
Lost 15But never write them off at a World Cup
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)
It was close! But the Aussies got there 👏🏼
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
Australia start off their 2ꦓ021 cam⭕paign in style 💥 |
— ICC (@ICC)
One of the many low scoring thrillers we are gonna see in this World Cup. Great start to the Super 12s. Australia win and end South Africa's streak of 7 consecutive wins in T20Is.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
Justin Langer knock൲ing Glenn Maxwell down with a slap to his arm was probably thꦕe most powerful blow of this match
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
Love low scoring games!.
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg)
A winning start to the !
We take꧟ the win over South Africa by five wickets in Abu Dhabi.
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus)