Australia win the lung opener with 2 balls to spare in a nail bitter

By Brian Thomas

Put into bat by the Australian skipper Arron Finch the Protease huffed and puffed to get to 118 for 9 wickets in their alloted 20 overs.

Aiden Marcus impressed with a well compiled 40. None of the other South African batsman impressed against a well organised bowling attack on the slow pitch at the Abu Dhabi stadium.

Temba Bauma made 12, Henrich Klassan made 13 , David Miller 16 , with Rabada a late burst of an unbeaten 19 , enabled South African batters to compile 118 for 9 wickets.

Australia too struggled against a decipline bowling attack led by Kagisgo Rabada.

Stuck on 38 for 3 wickets in 7.5 Overs, it was Steve Smith who led the way with his 35 runs to guide the Australians to 81 runs in the 15th over. Smith departed for 35 in the 14th over. Maxwell, who kept him company with 18 , departed soon after , bowled neck and crop by Shamsi , when he tried to reverse sweep a straight delivery.

Marcus Stonis and Mathew Wade guide the Aussies, with great composure with 2 balls to spare.

Stonis remained unbeaten on 24 , with Mathew Wade on 15.

Great game , Australia will be happy , since their performance in the short version has been not been good in recent times.