Australia are yet to officially qualify for the World Twenty20 semi-finals despite maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament with an eight-wicket win over South Africa on Sunday night.
World No.1-ranked South Africa were invited to bat first by Australia captain George Bailey and scored 5-146 before Australia fought through a difficult opening five-over period to make 2-147 with 14 deliveries to spare.
Allrounder Shane Watson collected his fourth consecutive man-of-the-match award after his stylish 70 off 47 deliveries which followed his 2-29 with the ball.
If Pakistan beat Australia on Tuesday night and India can defeat South Africa, it would leave the Proteas with an 0-3 record in the Super Eights and the other three teams in Group Two on 2-1.
However Australia’s current run-rate of +1.72 compared to the other three sides at -0.426 or worse should get Bailey’s side through to the semi-finals.
After the early loss of David Warner (five), Watson added 99 for the second wicket with Mike Hussey.
Hussey was unbeaten on 45 with Cameron White gaining valuable time in the middle with 21 not out off 13 balls.
Earlier, Xavier Doherty claimed a career-best 3-20 after being recalled for his first game of the tournament. The left-arm spinner replaced medium-pacer Dan Christian in Australia’s side.
Doherty opened the bowling and removed Richard Levi (0), Jacques Kallis (six) and JP Duminy (30) while Watson chipped in with the wickets of Hashim Amla (17) and AB De Villiers (21).
The Proteas were 5-86 but recovered thanks to a 60-run stand between Farhaan Behardien (31 not out) and Robin Peterson (32 not out).
Watson praised Doherty’s ability to offer a double threat by keeping the runs down and also taking key wickets.
“It’s a very exciting thing for our squad, knowing that these wickets are most probably only going to become more and more (favourable for) spin,” Watson said.
South Africa are still alive in the tournament – just – and Watson said he was shocked they continued to struggle to win big events.
“South Africa, every ICC tournament we go into, they’ve got an unbelievably strong side,” Watson said.
“They’ve just got an amazing amount of talent.
“We knew we were going to have to be at our best to beat South Africa and it’s certainly very satisfying.
“I’m not exactly sure why they can’t seem to really perform at the big events over the last 10 or 15 years because the quality of players they have, they should really be dominating, I think anyway.”
Watson could offer little insight into his amazing form in the tournament.
“Things are just falling my way at the moment I suppose,” he said.
Calum
Guest
haha no problem - I'm full of good advice. Its quite unusual for people listen to it though!
Bee Bee
Guest
Agreed Calum. Best not to get carried away. Spinner is still a massive problem. Although in my opinion the batting is not as weak as many think. There is enough talent in the batting line up to get us through if bowlers perform. Our tail is quite strong and will continue to improve. Anyway, (good advice)I will try and keep my expectations in check for now.
Calum
Guest
Bee Bee - (genuine question). Do you really reckon there is that much potential? Obvioulsy I hope this does prove to be the springboard for turnaround in Aus cricket but I would say lets not get too carried away. No problems in the fast bowling dept in all forms of the games (cummings, Starc, Pattinson etc) but still don't see success in other forms even if they do go on and win this tournament ( a big if in itself). An example would be Bailey. Fair dues they have got it right with Bailey as skipper but not sure he will make the leap to all forms of cricket. You never know because he sems to have plenty of ticker and a good head on him but I personally don't see it. Another example is Shane Watson - who is looking fantastic. People will now say 'lets see hims translate that from into test cricket'. The problem is that they are completely different. Watson has been averaging mid 40s since he started opening (not shabby at all) but he keeps making 50s and 60s and then getting out - fantastic in twenty20, not good enough in tests. If anything, you could argue success like this is twenty20 might even make the problem worse? Where is a top spinner aswell? Long term replacements for Ponting and Hus? Anyway, don't want to sound too negative because its great to see them do well but just think maybe we should enjoy the success for what it is and not ramp expectations up for the next 12 months?
Bee Bee
Guest
They have been a hard team to watch for four years. You just don't know when they are going to turn up. I don't under estimate the talent in this team. I just hope they can start to put it together consistently. They will have to S.Africa and England await. Big 12 months ahead. Lets hope they can realise their potential.
Swampy
Guest
I hope Australia get to the final. I don't think they've put a foot wrong so far in this tournament. The selection of Doherty and opening the bowling with him was the key factor in the win. Credit where credit is due. I've smashed our skippers, coaches and selectors for 4 years straight but right now they are getting it spot on. Sure it helps that Shane Watson may possibly be the best player in the world at this moment - another thing I never thought would become a reality. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Bee Bee
Guest
This team (which should be renamed Shane Watson and the Funky Bunch) has already performed way beyond expectations. Any wins from here are just a bonus. People thought we might not even beat Ireland. Sadly, I think 90% of the population are oblivious to these amazing performances. So much cricket is going to Pay TV it will be a fringe sport like Union soon. Sad really.
rsingi
Roar Rookie
Aussies are now the team to beat. The only query is if Watson fails the middle order have had no batting time and may be underdone.