Captain Steve Smith scored a breezy 44 to guide Australia to a six-wicket win over South Africa in the final Twenty20 International on Wednesday and a 2-1 series victory.
After electing to bat, South Africa posted 178-4 in their 20 overs, boosted by a magnificent unbeaten 97 from Hashim Amla.
However, Australia paced their reply perfectly and profited from a fine opening stand of 76 between Shane Watson (42) and Usman Khawaja (33).Those two fell in a single Imran Tahir over, but any thoughts South Africa had of clawing their way back into the game evaporated as a composed Smith, whose runs came from just 26 deliveries, and David Warner (33) added 79 for the third wicket.
Australia reached their target with four deliveries remaining, but never looked like falling short.
They head to India for the World Twenty20 where they are to open their campaign against New Zealand on Friday next week.
Opener Amla proved the anchor for South Africa’s innings as he caressed an unbeaten 97 from 62 deliveries that included eight fours and four sixes.Quinton de Kock (25 from 13) and David Miller (30 from 16) provided impetus, but the innings slowed when Faf du Plessis and Rilee Roussow, in for the rested A.B. de Villiers, took 28 deliveries to score a combined 20 runs.
South Africa face England in their first match of the World Twenty20, also on Friday.
In-form Khawaja expects to be squeezed out of the Australia top order in favor of former captain Aaron Finch for their opener.
Australia tried different opening combinations in all three matches in South Africa, with Khawaja and Finch teaming up in the first in Durban and all-rounder Watson and Finch in the following match in Johannesburg.
Khawaja has plundered runs in all formats since being recalled for Australia’s Test series against New Zealand last year, but only made his T20 debut against India in January.
Finch boasts a fine T20 record and Khawaja said his more experienced teammate was likely to be the preferred choice.
“Finchy didn’t play today and he’s one of the best T20 players in the world, so we’ve got a lot of batting depth and strength,” Khawaja told reporters. “Finchy was there before I was, when I came into the team he was T20 captain. He’s been there and done it. I sort of expect him to come back into the team.”
“I’ve been on both ends of it and I’m just so nonchalant about it now. I’m just chilled out,” he said.
Australia were thrashed 3-0 on home soil by World T20 hosts and favorites India in January, but the South Africa series win was a timely boost, Khawaja said.
“We wanted to go into the World Cup on a winning note,” he said. “It’s always a little bit tougher when you haven’t. The fact that we won is a big bonus.”
“I think everyone just about in the squad has contributed somewhat in the last three games, which is nice,” he said.
- Latest
- Trending
