I decided to strike while the iron is hot. Why? What are the chances the last T20 will be won by 7 wickets? Two days ago South Africa defeated Australia by 7 wickets. Today Australia equalled the 3-match series by demolishing South Africa by 7 wickets. The reason I chose the word 'demolishing' is because although Australia won by 7 wickets, they had 44 balls remaining - and that's a big deal. South Africa on the other hand, they only had 6 balls left.
Here's an observation. The team that won the toss, lost the match. Australia won the toss in the first match and lost. South Africa won the toss in the second match, and they lost too.
T20I DEBUTS
Australia had two players (Ben Dunk and Nathan Reardon) on debut while South Africa had three (Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada and Rilee Rossouw).
MAN OF THE MATCH(ES)
Rilee Rossouw (South Africa)
Cameron Boyce (Australia)
1ST T20I
AUS 144/6 (20/20 overs)
SA 145/3 (19.0/19 overs)
After losing 3 wickets in 4 overs, Shane Watson whacked a few sixes and ran a lot between the wickets for his 47 from 36 balls to get Australia to a better score of 144/6.
In the process, Kyle Abbott finished with figures of 3/21 in 4 overs, with an economy of 5.25.
When South Africa began to chase down 144, Hendricks was out with a duck. However, Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw put on a second wicket stand of 129 runs. De Kock scored 46 from 39 balls while man of the match Rossouw high scored with 78 from 40 balls, hitting 7 fours and 3 sixes. The partnership of these two led South Africa to victory in Adelaide.
There were no bowling mavericks to speak of in the Australian camp as the South Africans registered the first victory of the 3-match series.
2ND T20I
SA 101/7 (20/20 overs)
AUS 102/3 (12.4/20 overs)
The second T20 match did not produce a victory for South Africa like the first. Their heroes could not repeat history as they were bundled out for 101. De Kock was out for a duck and Rossouw was out for 12. Instead, the skipper, JP Duminy made 49 runs to guide South Africa to their small total.
In the first 10 overs, Australia bagged 3 wickets and 4 wickets in the last 10 overs. James Faulkner was the pick of the bowlers with 3-25 in 4 overs. He was followed by Cameron Boyce with 2-15 in his 4 overs.
Aaron Finch and Shane Watson were the high scorers for Australia in their chase. Finch scored an unbeaten 44 from 30 balls, with 8 fours. Watson chipped in with 5 fours and a score of 30.
South Africa did not impress with the ball but Kagiso Rabada took his maiden wicket after he dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a duck. Wayne Parnell took 2 wickets for 17 runs, but it wasn't enough to slow down Australia.
The decider will be in Sydney at 10:35 (CAT).
