South Africa v Australia
Wisden's review of the first Twenty20 International, South Africa v Australia
15-Apr-2017
At Durban, March 4, 2016 (floodlit). South Africa won by three wickets. Toss: Australia. Twenty20 international debuts: P. M. Nevill, A. Zampa.
A flying start persuaded some of the Australians that unrelenting attack was the way to bat. But there was more in the pitch than they recognised. Wickets began to fall regularly, though Marsh shored up one end, ninth out in the 20th over. No team had won a Twenty20 international at Durban chasing as many as 158, but it still seemed below par - until South Africa were 95 for six. De Villiers steered their first ball straight to the keeper, Nevill, who also ran out du Plessis. Miller, however, was in belligerent mood, with trios of fours and sixes to ensure victory in front of his home crowd.
A flying start persuaded some of the Australians that unrelenting attack was the way to bat. But there was more in the pitch than they recognised. Wickets began to fall regularly, though Marsh shored up one end, ninth out in the 20th over. No team had won a Twenty20 international at Durban chasing as many as 158, but it still seemed below par - until South Africa were 95 for six. De Villiers steered their first ball straight to the keeper, Nevill, who also ran out du Plessis. Miller, however, was in belligerent mood, with trios of fours and sixes to ensure victory in front of his home crowd.
Australia should have done better with the bat after Finch and Warner raced to 69 for one in the powerplay; Finch hit Duminy's first three deliveries for six in a solitary over costing 24. But both were dismissed carelessly soon after. Warner slapped Wiese to backward point, while Finch lifted a full toss straight to deep square leg. The men who followed showed no interest in consolidation - if they had, Australia might well have won.