South Africa suffered a humiliating defeat to Australia as their promising innings collapsed from 210 for 3 to 252 all out that allowed Australia to snatch away a 36 runs victory on Saturday at Warner Park, St. Kitts.
In reply to Australia’s 288 South Africa got off a modest start from Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla. De Kock was the first batsman scoring just 19 runs. Amla (60) and Faf de Plessis (63) built and 115 runs partnership . Du Plessis has played a good innings after recovering from injury.
But de Plessis’ departure at 177 and then De Villiers wicket rattled by Hazlewood suddenly put South African in a dangerous situation from the driving seat of the match.
De Villiers’ wicket turn Australia back in the match. JP Duminy tried his best but his innings was cut short by Adam Zampa. The tail was cut by Zampa and Mitchell Starc to about South Africa for 251 in 47. 4 overs.
Earlier David Warner scored 109 of 120 balls which were comprised of 11 boundaries and two sixes to help Australia to score 288 for 6 in 50 overs.
No. 3 Usman Khawaja played the second fiddle as he scored 59 off 71 balls while captain Steve Smith added some quick runs 52 off 49 balls to the slowly drifting innings.
Australia got a solid start from David Warner and Aaron Finch after Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat first. The left handed and right handed combination shared a solid 48 runs partnership in 10 overs, Finch’s contribution was only 13. But after Finch’s departure Khawaja provided a good support to Warner as they scored 136 runs for the second wicket partnership.
But from 184-1 in the 36th over, the Aussies lost momentum once Warner pulled Parnell to midwicket and Khawaja top-edged a sweep off Aaron Phangiso.
The form of Mitchell Starc, who returned in international after a long injury layoff of 10 months, finally poised as he strikes twice in last minute that triggered a massive South Africa collapse. Starc and Zampa proved unplayable for tailenders.
On Monday Australia will take on the host West Indies at Basseterre.