Watson leads Australia to easy win over Proteas

Tags: ICC World Twenty20 2012, Super Eights, Group 2 - Australia Vs South Africa (B1 v C2) 19th Match, at Colombo - Sep 30, 2012, Shane Robert Watson, Xavier John Doherty, Robin John Peterson

Published on: Sep 30, 2012

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Australia have moved closer towards a Semi Final berth after crushing South Africa comfortably with a 8-wicket win with 14 balls to spare. South Africa are now in a hopeless situation in the tournament having lost two Super Eights games in a row.

By BV Swagath

Australia have moved closer towards a Semi Final berth after crushing South Africa comfortably with a 8-wicket win with 14 balls to spare. South Africa are now in a hopeless situation in the tournament having lost two Super Eights games in a row.

The Aussies needing to chase a modest target of 147 lost an early wicket of David Warner but steadily got going thanks to the in-form Shane Watson. Michael Hussey coming in at no.3 complemented Watson very well to bat out the Proteas from the game. Watson smacked his way to 70 from 48 balls (with 8 fours and 2 sixes) before departing in the 14th over with his team well placed at 109 for 2.

Shane WatsonMichael Hussey (45* from 37 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes) finished the match along with Cameron White who got a bit of confidence with his unbeaten 21 (from 13 balls with 3 fours and a six).

Shane Watson as expected was the Man of the Match for his all-round performance of 4-0-29- 2 and 70. Incredibly he has got this award for the fourth consecutive time in this tournament!

South Africa Innings: South Africa finished with a competitive total of 146 for 5 on a dry pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium. Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty opening the bowling for the Aussies claimed superb figures of 3 for 20 in 4 overs as the Proteas were struggling to set themselves up for a big total.

The Proteas were in a bad position of 86 for 5 in 14.1 overs when Skipper AB de Villiers got caught at covers off Shane Watson. A 60-run stand for the sixth wicket after that between Farhaan Behardien (31* from 27 balls with 2 fours and a six) and Robin Peterson (32* from 19 balls with 6 fours) helped the Proteas get back in the match.

Toss and Teams: Australia have won the toss and asked South Africa to bat first in the Super Eights Match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Proteas are in a must win situation having lost their first game against Pakistan. Australia on the other hand come after their massive victory over India.

The Aussies have made one change with left arm spinner Xavier Doherty replacing Daniel Christian. The South Africans have also made only one change with left-arm pacer Wayne Parnell replacing Albie Morkel.

Australia: Shane Watson, David Warner, Michael Hussey, George Bailey (Captain), Cameron White, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (Wicket Keeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Brad Hogg, Xavier Doherty

South Africa: Richard Levi, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (Captain and Wicket Keeper), Jean-Paul Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell, Johan Botha, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel

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