Australia eye series win against rusty Proteas (Preview)

For South Africa, the start to a hectic home season was not especially auspicious; Australia outplayed them in all departments of the game to pocket the series opening T20. Not having played any international cricket after the shock exit from 2011 World Cup, the Proteas were expectedly rusty but they have got little time to adjust their bearings.

Contrary to this, the Australian outfit looked in control as they landed in South Africa after a grueling Sri Lanka tour. Even though, they lost both the T20 matches against the island nation, the Australian side rallied around the all-round play of Shane Watson to go 1-0 up in the two match T20 leg.

South Africa’s showing in the first match was definitely scratchy, not only did they fail to impress with bat and ball, the team that has always made a mark in fielding spilled some easy catches in the field. Lack of match practice was evident from the way they played. Barring JP Duminy who yet did the rescue act; the top order was found wanting. Former skipper Graeme Smith was out of sorts in the five ball duck, the stand-in captain Hashim Amla did not get the opportunity to wield the willow as he was run-out. The experienced duo would definitely want to make a fresh beginning in the second T20 at Johannesburg.

To add to their woes, the South African fast bowling in the absence of Dale Steyn did not have the look of a menacing unit. Rusty Theron and Robin Peterson conceded far too many runs. Given that the Wanderers track more often than not is a belter, the bowlers would need to put in a much improved performance.

For Australia, debutant Patrick Cummins caught everybody’s eye with a thundering spell of fast bowling. For somebody billed as the next big thing in Australian cricket, Cummins lived up to the expectation with a three wicket over, the victims included Duminy, Miller and Johan Botha. He for one is going to be one of the most promising youngsters on the international circuit for some time.

The stature of Shane Watson in the Australian side is growing with each outing. Take him out of the picture and the Aussies look a different unit altogether. His opening partner, David Warner after his stellar exploits in the Champions League could not do much but the Johannesburg crowd can expect some fireworks. Moreover, it is also one more opportunity for some of the T20 specialists in Australian squad including Captain Cameron White to impress the selectors for they wouldn’t get a chance until the home series against India.

South Africa Squad: Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Jean Paul Duminy, Colin Ingram, Heino Kuhn, Richard Levi, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Lonwabo Tsotsobe , Rusty Theron.

Australia Squad: Cameron White, Shane Watson, Doug Bollinger, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Steve O’Keefe, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Mathew Wade, David Warner.