Australia will look to wrap up their place in the World T20 2012 semi-finals when they take on South Africa in a Super Eights game in Colombo. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEST.
If Australia were a couple of steps ahead of Ireland and West Indies in their league stage games, they annihilated India in the previous Super Eights match.
First, the Australian bowling led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc kept India down to a 140ish score.
They were then aided by some poor Indian bowling and alleged problems with gripping the ball and cantered to the target in 15 overs.
And for the third time in row, it was Shane Watson who got them home with a fine all-round performance. Three wickets at crucial times and a six-laden innings of 72 shut the Indians out.
The only problem for Australia then? Their middle-order has been untested and under-cooked.
This is a crucial game in that while a win should take them to the semi-final, an Australian loss will also make their last game against Pakistan a must-win.
Hence, how the Australian middle-order manages to come good on a surface which could be less than ideal for batting in an afternoon game, will make for an interesting play.
South Africa, their opponents for today’s game, will probably come in with a bit of regret. They should have closed out their opening Super Eights match against Pakistan.
On a track that turned square from start, South Africa seemed to have done well to push Pakistan to a corner in their chase of 133. At 7/76, Pakistan looked down and out.
Then a few poor captaincy calls like keeping off-spinner Johan Botha away – with figures of 1/10 in 2 – cost them the game.
The two Umars, Gul and Akmal, went berserk and unfortunately for South Africa, none of it went to hand.
AB de Villiers, the skipper, admitted that it was his mistakes that had lost the match for South Africa but the big question now is whether he can rectify them enough to beat a very strong Australian line-up.
Dale Steyn’s foot injury will be a concern but other than that the South African side should remain the same. Also expect de Villiers to bat at least a spot higher than he did in their Pakistan game.
Australia haven’t played a day game on this track since their first one and will need to adjust to the conditions.
The track does flatten out in the evening but baked under the Colombo sun, it shows tendency of helping the slower bowlers much more.
Action begins 8.00pm AEST and we will bring you the live ball-by-ball coverage of the match from the commencement.
Matt
Guest
Watson man of the match for the 4th game in a row, when he doesn't fire the result will be interesting, it's a 1 man army at the moment!
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
SIX! Finises it with a six does White! Slogged away over deep square-leg for another big one - this has been an excellent performance from Australia. With two wins from as many games in this Super Eights stage, they have done their chances of going through to the semi-final no harm. Given their net run-rate, even if they lose their last game to Pakistan, they should go through.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four! The fielder at long-on was called up to the circle and White goes over the top for a four at that very region. Nine needed from three overs. Cakewalk's definition, this game. 2/138 in 17.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Missed! Stumping missed by AB de Villiers. Went down the track and the ball keeps really, really low. Misses the ball but the keeper misses it too! SIX! Follows it up with a huge six over long-on and moves on to 42 with that.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four! That is poor bowling from Botha. It was very, very short, and almost reached the batsman on the second bounce. He rocks back and pulls it to wide long-on. Should have been a couple, instead there is a misfield and White gets a four. 22 from 4 overs needed
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
The South African dressing room's looking morose at the moment . They lose this, they need a miracle to go through to the semi-finals.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Nine off the Steyn over and the match's seems headed only one way. 29 off the last five overs.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four! Four more off Steyn and this time it is off a White edge that rushes away to the fence.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four! Steyn's back and bludgeoned through the covers for a four! Hussey's getting them home here and quickly. 34 needed from 35.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
OUT! Finally a wicket for South Africa and it is the big man Watson. 70 off 47 as he blasts the bowler but does not get over the long-on fence, caught easily by the fielder. 38 needed off six.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four! Another one, another boundary! Moves quickly on to 70 now. 38 needed off 38.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four! Over the bowler's head and for a four! It is Peterson who gets smacked by Watson, on his way to winning his fourth MoM award!
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four singles off the Duminy over. Comfortable business though. 49 needed from 42.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
AB de Villiers has no option but to bring in JP Duminy. Can he do a minor Watson, bowl as well he sometimes bats.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Four! SIX! Now it is Hussey getting into the act. Pulls one to the fence before flicking it over mid-wicket for a huge six! The game's gone away from South Africa's grasp I feel. 1/94 in 12
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
A better over from Peterson which almost saw Watson's wicket. Australia, though, have this game under control, needing 66 from nine.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
Dropped! Shane Watson gets a life. He will score a 300 today I am sure. Pitched up and Watson smokes it to long-off where Parnell runs forward and drops a sitter. 1/79 in the 11th.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
And yes, that six also helped Watson through to a half-century. 1/76 in 10. Peterson returns.
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
SIX! Did I just say "wicket of Watson"? No really, does that even exist? Short from Parnell and easily dealt with! Pulled for a six over mid-wicket! 1/74 in the 10th
IWishIWasMarkWaugh
Roar Guru
First look at Wayne Parnell here. The required rate is 7.45, which isn't very easy. But there is a Watson. Still believe a wicket here will make things very, very interesting.