An economical bowling performance from the Proteas saw them defend 108-6 to beat Australia by 21 runs in the 10-over T20I in Carrara, writes KHALID MOHIDIN.
The T20I between the Proteas and Australia was reduced to a T10I after heavy rain before the toss.
The Proteas came out swinging and managed 108-6 in their 10 overs that included a total of 10 fours and three sixes among their batters.
Four of those boundaries went to Faf du Plessis, who was the Proteas’ top scorer with 27 off 15 balls (four fours).
Tight bowling from Andrew Tye (2-16), who dismissed David Miller and Chris Morris, helped the hosts stem the flow of runs.
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Kagiso Rabada (0-21) took the first over for the Proteas and conceded 13 runs. Lungi Ngidi (1-7) set up Aaron Finch who skied a delivery, but was dropped by Andile Phehlukwayo on the third ball. He followed this up with a blinder, bowling the Aussie captain as Australia lost their first with 21 on the board.
Morris struck in the third over, dismissing D’Arcy Short, who hit directly to Phehlukwayo at cover, who made up for his earlier blunder. Morris struck again on the final ball with a beautiful inswinging yorker that smashed into the base of Chris Lynn’s middle stump for 14 off 10 balls. Australia managed just 27-3 in the three-over powerplay.
Phehlukwayo took his first wicket in his first over, dismissing Marcus Stoinis for five as the Aussies collapsed to 37-4. Phehlukwayo took another in the following over, dismissing Ben McDermott (four).
Tabraiz Shamsi bowled brilliantly with slow deliveries to throttle the Australia batsmen and the game plan paid off when he dismissed Alex Carrey, who picked out Heinrich Klaasen on the straight boundary.
Australia needed 49 off 18 balls, which turned into 43 off 12 balls and then 31 off the final over.
Glenn Maxwell top-scored on the day with 38 off 23 balls, as the hosts ended with a total of 87-6 in 10 overs.
Proteas innings 108-6 – Faf du Plessis 27, Quinton de Kock 22; Nathan Coulter-Nile 2-19, Andrew Tye 2-18.
Australia innings 87-6 – Glenn Maxwell 38; Chris Morris 2-12, Andile Phehlukwayo 2-21, Lungi Ngidi 2-16, Tabraiz Shamsi 1-12
