03/09Result
3rd T20I, Australia tour of South Africa at Durban, Sep 3 2023
Australia won by 5 wkts (13b rem)
Player of the Match
Travis Head
Travis HeadAustralia
03/09Result
3rd T20I, Australia tour of South Africa at Durban, Sep 3 2023
Australia won by 5 wkts (13b rem)
Player of the Match
Travis Head
Travis HeadAustralia

END OF OVER:
20 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | SA: 190/8 | RR: 9.50

  • Keshav Maharaj9 (7b)
  • Lungi Ngidi2 (2b)
  • Nathan Ellis4-0-50-0
  • Sean Abbott4-1-31-4

DaWolf: "Big target, but in the first two games Australia completely dominated the South African bowling. Australia still favourites - but wickets change that."

3:30pm Phew, that was a whirlwind innings that ebbed and flowed from the very start. Australia enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, removing Bavuma and Breetzke early. Hendricks and Markram, though, counter-attacked beautifully, mustering a 58-run partnership. Stubbs came in after Markram and looked good too but his dismissal, along with that of Hendricks, left SA tottering at 122-6.

But then...Ferreira walked in and he batted like he owned the place. He hit five sixes and a four en route a 21-ball 48 and almost single-handedly powered South Africa past the 180-run mark. The hosts' planning, especially in the last few balls, left a bit to be desired but they would be happy they have 190 on the board, having been 12-2 and 122-6 at two different junctures.

As for Australia, Abbott was the star of the show, bagging four wickets. He was very expensive in his first 11 balls, though, and it was only after he accounted for Markram that he started wrestling back control. Ellis was uncharacteristically expensive, as was Sangha but Australia will be quietly confident of hunting down this total, despite this being a slightly tacky surface. Do join us in a bit for the run-chase!

Donovan Ferreira: It was very good. Just trying to keep it as clear as possible and enjoy. You only get one debut. I always back myself, try to hit as straight as possible and try to keep the intensity up. (On the pitch) It is a bit tacky and a bit slow and hopefully our bowlers can do the job.

19.6
6
Ellis to Maharaj, SIX, Maharaj finishes off the innings in style! Off-pace but this lands in the slot outside off. Maharaj has a clean swing through the line and dumps it over the bowler's head!
19.5
1b
Ellis to Ngidi, 1 bye, slower delivery dug in outside off. Ngidi swings like a rusty gate and misses it by a mile. Maharaj, though, is alert enough to sneak in a bye
19.4
2
Ellis to Ngidi, 2 runs, slower delivery hung outside off. Ngidi crouches down low and hoicks it towards long on. Gets back for the second, just about, though

Ngidi to try his luck with the bat now

Mausam: "This match will be interesting . Aus can chase anything below 200" -- It will take a brave person to bet against them, especially after what has happened in the first two games...

19.3
W
Ellis to Maharaj, OUT, has Ferreira been run out?! Length just outside off. Maharaj swishes at it and misses. Ferreira tears across to the other end, puts in the dive but has he been caught short by Inglis' direct hit? Looks like he has! Ferreira has to go, and that could significantly impact where South Africa end up with this total!

D Ferreira run out 48 (31m 21b 1x4 5x6) SR: 228.57

19.2
1
Ellis to Ferreira, 1 run, back of a length outside off. Ferreira loses his shape a touch and tugs it towards long on. Maharaj is ready to come back for the second but Ferreira sends him back. It was perhaps the right call too. Ferreira might not have made it back to the batter's end
19.1
1
Ellis to Maharaj, 1 run, slower delivery on a length outside off. Maharaj dabs it into the off side and gets Ferreira back on strike

Ellis to bowl the final over. Can SA get to 190?

END OF OVER:
19 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | SA: 179/7 | RR: 9.42

  • Keshav Maharaj2 (4b)
  • Donovan Ferreira47 (20b)
  • Sean Abbott4-1-31-4
  • Nathan Ellis3-0-40-0
18.6
1
Abbott to Maharaj, 1 run, back of a length on off stump. Maharaj takes a step down the track and hacks it towards long on. Takes the single

One ball left in the over. This is effectively a free hit for Maharaj, and the brief will be for him to play in even numbers this ball to ensure Ferreira is on strike for the last over

18.5
1
Abbott to Ferreira, 1 run, slower delivery dug in on off stump. Ferreira gets on top of the bounce and flat-bats it towards deep mid wicket
18.4
1
Abbott to Maharaj, 1 run, length outside off. Maharaj flashes at it and gets a thick outside edge that bobbles down to third man

Three balls left in the over. Ferreira has a chat with Maharaj, presumably telling him to just get a single

18.3
0
Abbott to Maharaj, no run, another length delivery in that probing corridor outside off. Maharaj nibbles at it and misses
18.2
0
Abbott to Maharaj, no run, length delivery just outside off that zips through. Maharaj goes feeling for it and sees the ball whistle past the shoulder of the bat

Maharaj in at 9

18.1
W
Abbott to Coetzee, OUT, that wicket will certainly help! Full and wide outside off. Coetzee swings hard at it but the ball is just a little out of his hitting arc. Mistimes it and offers a fairly regulation catch to substitute fielder Hardie at long off. A useful cameo, though!

G Coetzee c sub (AM Hardie) b Abbott 13 (19m 11b 0x4 1x6) SR: 118.18

That talk about SA getting to 170 seems a bit silly now. 200 on the cards. Can Australia keep them down to under 200?

END OF OVER:
18 | 22 Runs | SA: 176/6 | RR: 9.77

  • Donovan Ferreira46 (19b)
  • Gerald Coetzee13 (10b)
  • Nathan Ellis3-0-40-0
  • Marcus Stoinis4-0-39-2
17.6
6
Ellis to Ferreira, SIX, another massive hit! Right in the slot outside off. Ferreira gives it the lot and absolutely creams it over extra cover. A 92-metre six. Over extra cover. Holds the pose too!
17.6
1nb
Ellis to Ferreira, 1 no ball, oh dear! Chest-high full toss outside off. Ferreira, while taking evasive action, swipes at it and nicks it through to the keeper. That will count for nothing, though, and Ferreira now has a Free hit to feast upon
17.5
6
Ellis to Ferreira, SIX, gets it right off the toe-end but somehow manages to clear long on! Slower ball outside off and for the longest while, it feels that Ferreira has clinked it. Such is his power, though, that he got the elevation and the distance!
17.4
2
Ellis to Ferreira, 2 runs, slower bumper outside off. Ferreira heaves it towards deep square leg for a couple of runs
17.3
0
Ellis to Ferreira, no run, full delivery hung well outside off. Ferreira tries to reach it but misses. Not called a wide, perhaps because he did move across just a shade
17.2
1
Ellis to Coetzee, 1 run, full and wide outside off. Coetzee chalks it off the toe-end towards deep cover point
17.1
6
Ellis to Coetzee, SIX, oh, yes! Back of a length outside off and this one just sits up. Coetzee opens up his stance and mauls it 95 metres over the bowler's head!

END OF OVER:
17 | 16 Runs | SA: 154/6 | RR: 9.05

  • Gerald Coetzee6 (8b)
  • Donovan Ferreira32 (14b)
  • Marcus Stoinis4-0-39-2
  • Spencer Johnson4-0-29-0
16.6
1
Stoinis to Coetzee, 1 run, back of a length outside off. Coetzee stands tall and punches it to deep cover point
16.5
1
Stoinis to Ferreira, 1 run, low full toss outside off. Ferreira plants his front foot and drills it down the ground to long off
16.4
2
Stoinis to Ferreira, 2 runs, yorker darted into leg stump. Ferreira digs it out into the vast open spaces on the leg side and scampers back for a brace
16.3
6
Stoinis to Ferreira, SIX, oh my days! Slower delivery on a length way outside off. Ferreira has to create pace, and he does it to absolute perfection, cracking it over the deep extra cover fence!

Australia 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st0TM HeadMW Short
2nd43MR MarshTM Head
3rd85TM HeadJP Inglis
4th58MP StoinisTM Head
5th1MP StoinisTH David
6th4MP StoinisAJ Turner