Australia are now the world’s number one T20I side after winning their fourth consecutive series by hammering South Africa in Cape Town overnight.
Thanks to some explosive hitting and another quality bowling display the Aussies secured a 2-1 series win over the Proteas to take the number one ranking from Pakistan.
The Aussies recently thrashed Pakistan 3-0 amid a hot streak that has seen them win nine of their last ten matches in the shortest format.
That form surge has come on the back of a rampant top order and the consistent excellence of their five-man bowling attack. It was the same story again overnight as they piled up 5-193 and then skittled SA for 96.
Australia had the Proteas rattled within the first 30 minutes of the match. Gun openers David Warner (57 from 37 balls) and Aaron Finch (55 from 37 balls) went ballistic in the power play, making 75 off the first six overs.
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
As the field was spread that pair reined themselves in, particularly against left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (1-25 from four overs), who was excellent once again. Then Warner and Finch both departed in a matter of minutes.
As was the case for both sides in all three matches, batting got harder in the second half of the innings as bowlers took the pace off with a softer ball. Promoted to number three, Matt Wade (ten from nine balls) again looked scratchy, struggling to read the change-ups of the Proteas’ quicks.
Aside from one huge six, flick-pulling the ball over deep backward square, Mitch Marsh (19 from 16 balls) also lacked fluency after being handed a great platform by Warner and Finch.
Batting out of position at five, regular first drop Steve Smith gave further evidence of his blossoming versatility in T20s. With their momentum having stalled, Australia needed a strong finish. Smith proceeded to thump 20 from the last over, including two sixes, one of which was the shot of the match. That stroke was an exquisite inside-out lofted drive over cover point.
That surge pushed Australia to a total of 193, which looked to be about 15-20 runs above par on a pitch that was holding up.
Once more, the golden wicket for Australia would be that of SA captain Quinton de Kock. The star wicketkeeper-batsman was in great form leading into this series but twice has been dismissed in the first over by Aussie spearhead Mitchell Starc. Just like in the series opener, last night Starc uprooted de Kock’s middle stump.
That dismissal placed a heavy burden on the blade of former skipper Faf du Plessis. The Proteas veteran promptly donated his wicket, slashing at a Starc ball that would have been a wide and carving it to third man.
The required run rate began to balloon for SA and then got out of control as they were yet again blanketed by Australia’s spin twins. Ashton Agar (3-16 from four overs) and Adam Zampa (2-10 from three overs) offered nothing to a Proteas batting unit that grew increasingly desperate.
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
While Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Kane Richardson were excellent in this series, it was Agar and Zampa who dismantled the Proteas.
Together that pair took 13 wickets at nine, with a remarkably frugal economy rate of 5.76 runs per over. This was not a purple patch but rather the continuation of a blooming partnership between this spin duo, who have been excellent for Australia over the past six months.
Less than eight months out from the T20 World Cup, Australia barely could be in better shape.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I don't know about "genuine". His T20i batting is an average of 14 and S/R of 110, and domestic level isn't much better averaging 18 at S/R of 116. I still feel like he's a spot too high in the batting lineup. It means we really can't afford to have any passengers in the top 6 and the top 3 really need to come off most of the time. As for Don's comment about the strength of the Agar, Cummins, Starc batting, I think that's a bit overblown. Agar's stats are shown above, Starc manages to hit a few boundaries occasionally, but it's more a rarity than something you can rely on. And, while not a massive sample size, Cummins T20i batting stats are an average of 5 and strike rate of 94. In ODI's he averages 9 with a strike rate of 70. There was a season where he was basically the Sydney Thunder's best batsman, but that time is long gone. In tests he can hang around a bit, but even there his batting seems to have dropped off. Can't remember the last time he really sent a few into the stands, maybe that season for the Thunder a few years back!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I still feel like the 5-man bowling attack makes it look like a very long tail and really relies on the top-3 getting off to good starts more often than not. Still not sure Ashton Agar is good enough for a number 7. They really can't afford to have any passengers in the top 6.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
That would be the logical thing to do I think.
HR
Roar Rookie
Surely Maxwell just replaces Wade as soon as he's fit.
HR
Roar Rookie
Jono Wells should really get a run in the side to see whether he is up to international cricket then - he's a consistently excellent middle-order player in the BBL, and it seems like these pre-WC T20s would be the time to give him a shot.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
My brother-in-law is in mourning Biltong. We talked between us before the series about how important the Starc v QdK battle is at the top. He presented me with the following stats: T20I 1 (L) De Kock: 2 runs Other batters: 80 runs T20I 2 (W) De Kock: 70 runs Other batters: 84 runs T20I 3 (L) De Kock: 5 runs Other Batters: 87 Other batters are consistent but crap. You're right, SA cricket is facing a few tough years
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
It's always sad when champions begin to fade but I think it's pretty much the end of the road for Dale. He was 'rested' in the BBL too.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree those guys can all bat Don but I’m not convinced they can hit which is more what is needed coming in late in T20. Starc likes to slog but hasn’t got any runs in T20 really; Agar closed out game 1 nicely but I haven’t seen it happen otherwise. I was really disappointed with Wade and Marsh yesterday - both just swinging really hard and the bowlers knew if they held it back they’d struggle. Carey seems a little down on form but the ODI WC showed he can hit so I’m OK with him. Maxy back for Wade and Marsh to find some form I’m happy enough. As it stands though we’ll lose regularly any time the top 3 don’t come off
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Almost took the words out of my mouth Chris. Maxwell coming in for Wade will be a big help. If we could either find the next best thing to Maxwell to replace Marsh, or if Marsh can manage to find a way of upping the run rate in his first few deliveries, this side will be very very formidable. To add to that and Rohan’s comments, this is needed. Blowing away all and sundry with the top order of Warner, Finch and Smith to reach a final will count for nothing if we lose them early in the final and lose. Maxwell in form would go a long way to closing that gap but I feel we are a middle order specialist short still.
JGK
Roar Guru
Just about all over. Old collapse big time.
Rellum
Roar Guru
They are back on.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Yep - Smith's ability to 'change gears' is fantastic. One of the few batsmen who can be a genuine, effective floater in the batting order.
Sad to see what has become of SA cricket.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Hopefully people who talk about Smith as if he's too slow to play T20's will have enough evidence now to realise how wrong that assessment was. He can both come in early and build an innings or come in late and get quick runs depending on what the situation dictates. Unfortunately, Wade, Marsh and Carey still haven't shown enough to suggest they are up to it. Bringing Maxwell back into the lineup will certainly help.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
The decision to bat Smith at 5 would not have been made before the game. They would have made that decision when Warner and Finch got us off to a flyer and didn’t get out until over the half way mark of the innings. That’s when they would have decided to bring in the power hitter in Wade and Marsh. What they did hopefully learn from last night Is that Smith should bat at 3 whether we lose a wicket first ball of the match or whether we lose our first wicket on the 119th ball of our innings. The guy is a jet and can adapt his innings at any stage of the 20 overs
Simoc
Guest
Well if the Gabba is like here it is absolutely pouring rain and they'de have to get lucky to play any more. Only Vic can win from here.
Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Labuschagne would adapt T20, brilliant batsman to leave out
Paul
Roar Guru
if the selectors thinking is the same as Ronan's,Wells won't get a look in this close to the WC,Matt, though I agree we could do worse than give him a try, assuming the current blokes don't get this act together.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Welcome to T20 cricket...
Simon
Guest
Did you watch it? Smith got bowled on a noball and dropped. Great cameo innings but he had some luck