Hashim Amla scored his highest T20 score and second fifty in a row as South Africa reached 178-4 batting first at Newlands.
It was a majestic innings by the opener who came back into the side for AB de Villiers, who is reportedly struggling with a shoulder injury.
Amla (97 off 62 balls) made the most of his opportunity, just as he did against England at the Wanderers when Quinton de Kock was rested. Amla scored an unbeaten 69 that day but bettered it this time with a free-flowing innings which he made look utterly effortless at times.
It now seems an impossible prospect to drop for the World T20 and the selectors have some thinking to do before South Africa’s first game on the 18th of March against England.
The total at Newlands feel a bit below par considering the start Amla and De Kock (25 off 13 balls) made. South Africa raced to 68-1 during the six overs of the powerplay and a score of 180 or even more looked very possible.
Faf du Plessis didn’t last long after mistiming a slower ball from Shane Watson before Rilee Rossouw was sent in ahead of JP Duminy at No 4. The scoring gradually slowed down in the middle overs as Rossouw struggled to get going, although he did manage to rotate the strike and ran well between the wickets.
His departure on 16 from 21 balls brought David Miller to the crease which lifted the tempo and intensity as he smashed 30 from 16 as South Africa tried to reach that 180-mark.
Still, it wasn’t enough as the Proteas only managed 63 runs between the sixth and 16th over which ultimately cost them a more imposing total.
