Kobus Pretorius reflects on the players and moments that shaped the first T20I between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead on Friday. 

BATSMAN OF THE DAY
David Miller’s match-winning 53 not out off 35 was exactly what the player and his team needed on the night. He has been struggling for game time of late but reminded everyone of his qualities with an important knock.

SHOT OF THE DAY
Any of Miller’s pull shots which ended up on the roof of the stadium or went flying out of the ground. His boundaries eased the scoreboard pressure and forced the fourth official on to the field with the suitcase of balls more than once.

BOWLER OF THE DAY
Shared between Imran Tahir (3-21 in four overs) and David Wiese (2-16 in four) who combined brilliantly in the middle overs to break Australia’s momentum and give their team the ascendency.

DELIVERY OF THE DAY
Kagiso Rabada’s leg-side yorker which shattered Nathan Coulter-Nile’s stumps.

CATCH OF THE DAY
Aaron Finch’s effort to get rid of Chris Morris from the second-last ball of the 17th over. Nathan Coulter-Nile was the bowler. Morris tried to go big, but didn’t quite connect it. Finch had to run backwards and to his left and managed to hold on while tumbling to the ground.

NASTY OVER
JP Duminy conceded 24 runs in his first over after Faf du Plessis decided to bring him on in the powerplay. Aaron Finch smashed three sixes and a four from the first four deliveries, and the question remains why Faf du Plessis opted to use Duminy, who has been low on confidence with the ball, so early. It could have cost South Africa the game.