Australia seal semi-final spot with an emphatic win against South Africa

South Africa slumped to back to back defeats in the most important phase of this tournament and were ultimately knocked out of this competition by Australia. South Africa managed only 146 runs after being asked to bat first on a sluggish pitch, and in turn Australia chased down the target convincingly by 8 wickets with 2.2 overs to spare.

Australia won the toss and surprisingly, elected to bowl first on a slow-track. They made a slow-start to their innings because Starc and Cummins were hitting the deck and was getting the ball to move both ways. Doherty struck in his first over when Richard Levi (0) mis-read a straight delivery and the ball sneaked onto his stumps. Doherty accounted for another dangerous South Africa’s batsman Kallis who was caught behind for 6 (7). Hashim Amla and JP Duminy however, steadied the run-rate as the duo struck some glorious boundaries off Starc and all-rounder Shane Watson. George Bailey however, brought in a sudden change in the bowling in the 5th over and in turn he was rewarded with the wicket of Amla. Watson was the man who cut short a promising innings of Amla as the latter mis-read an out-swinging delivery and in the end was caught off Wade for 17.

With Doherty and Watson tightening the screws, neither De Villers or Duminy were able to clear the boundary. Eventually, Duminy was dismissed by Doherty as Doherty’s flight drew Duminy down the track, and he was no where near it and was stumped by a country mile for 30(25). Watson, who was brought into the attack by Bailey, got rid off South Africa’s skipper AB De Villers as he mis-read the pace of the ball in the end could manage to chip it straight to Bailey who held onto a simple catch at cover.

The final push of the innings came from Peterson and Behardien as the duo put on a handy partnership of 82 runs, which helped Proteas to post a reputable total of 146 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.

It was actually a good score on that particular wicket since it had uneven bounce. Also, South Africa always back their bowling irrespective of the total that they score first. If they would have got rid of the openers and Hussey inside the power-play, they certainly would have had their chances.

Steyn and Morkel started their bowling terrific as Steyn was getting the ball to come-back into David Warner, which kept David Warner quiet for a little bit. After three overs the Australians score read: 10/0. David Warner thought of attacking the bowling and in the end paid the price as he was knocked off by Morne Morkel for 5(9). South Africa’s bowlers weren’t able to make the most of the wicket of David Warner, as Morne Morkel’s 3rd over cost 15 runs, which gave Australia much needed confidence. Since then, South Africa were never in the picture as Watson along with Hussey clobbered Proteas spinners all over the park. Watson however, was dismissed in the end for a well made 70.

It was Hussey and Cameron White finished the job for Australia with 2 overs to spare.

With this emphatic win, Australia virtually qualify for the semi-final of this T20 championship. On the other hand, South Africa remain chokers as they yet again lost in the major phase of the tournament. Australia however, has a problem which must be tested before the semi-finals. For Australia, David Warner, Watson and Hussey are leading from the front and the middle order hasn’t been tested. Suppose, if their top-order falters on big occasion, then you can’t expect their middle order to chip in with runs. So, that problem needs to be sorted out by Mickey Aurthur.