END OF OVER:20 | 12 Runs 1 Wkt | SA: 118/9 | RR: 5.90
- Kagiso Rabada19 (23b)
- Tabraiz Shamsi0 (1b)
- Mitchell Starc4-0-32-2
- Pat Cummins4-0-17-1
Corniel Seddon: "Have to agree with KJSays and also our two specialist spinners aren't bad either. It'll be a tough score to defend but early wickets could definitely make it possible for us to win this one!"
Hari Narayan : "I feel Maxwell's work isn't done. He is key for the Aussies
sunny: "@ Mike with no scoreboard pressure Warner and Finch can play themselves in and with Smith and Maxwell in the side this is just going to be a walk in the park"
Steven: "Top order may not be in form, but Marsh and SMith, Australia's 2 accumlators are in form and this is the kind of game that you have them here for"
Todd: "Warner and Finch haven't score runs in 18 months. Marsh, Maxwell and Wade still have a point to prove at this level and I didn't even realise Stoinis was playing. This game is still very much alive."
3.41pm What a start for Australia. This will feel very, very good for them. They backed their three superstar pacers in the team together and they got 5 for 68 from them. More importantly, they backed Maxwell's bowling over Agar today and he has delivered more than was asked. Zampa had a great day too. South Africa looked good for about an over after being put in, but it was a series of scrappy dismissals, one after another, and only Markram showed any real confidence through the middle overs. These may be bowler friendly conditions, but defending 118 is a tall order. We'll be back for the chase with Gnasher, shortly.
Mike : "I think people are over estimating Australia's ability to chase down this total, the top order is out of form"
A Nortje c Finch b Starc 2 (14m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66
Charles: "@matthew this isn't the tournament opener. Scotland are already on 3 wins!"
KJSays: "Lots of understandably disappointed comments from SA fans, but I think it is premature to write them off even in this match. Pitches have been slow, this is a day match and SA have nortje and rabada"
END OF OVER:19 | 5 Runs | SA: 106/8 | RR: 5.57
- Kagiso Rabada9 (19b)
- Anrich Nortje2 (2b)
- Pat Cummins4-0-17-1
- Mitchell Starc3-0-22-1
Matthew: "Bit underwhelming for the tournament opener, unless SA's bowlers pull a rabbit out of the hat!"
AndreB: "Let's be patient Saffas. If we have to loose a game better now than later"
Somya: "SA crawling to the lowest total they have defended against Australia, 108"
END OF OVER:18 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | SA: 101/8 | RR: 5.61
- Anrich Nortje2 (1b)
- Kagiso Rabada6 (14b)
- Mitchell Starc3-0-22-1
- Josh Hazlewood4-1-19-2
Abas: "Pretorius averages 33 with the bat at a strike rate of 165, that alone is good enough to be in the team."
Around the wicket to the right hander
shane: "move over cow corner, welcome to sheep alley"
Over the wicket now
AK Markram c Maxwell b Starc 40 (74m 36b 3x4 1x6) SR: 111.11
Daniel Hugo: "Been saying this for a while as a South African supporter. I honestly don't know what we are doing with Pretorius in the team. He does not bat well, he does not bowl well... Why does he play? Could do much better playing another real batsmen and having Markram bowl or playing someone that can at least bowl properly like Fortuin "
END OF OVER:17 | 12 Runs | SA: 98/7 | RR: 5.76
- Kagiso Rabada5 (10b)
- Aiden Markram40 (35b)
- Josh Hazlewood4-1-19-2
- Adam Zampa4-0-21-2
And that is Hazlewood done for the day. Lovely spell.