Published: Mar 04, 2016, 09:09 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 04, 2016, 09:09 PM (IST)
South Africa will face off with Australia in the first match of the three-Twenty20 International (T20I) series at Durban. This series serves as a dress rehearsal for the approaching ICC World T20 2016. The match will an interesting affair as both teams will play full strength sides in the encounter. South Africa are coming on the back of a fantastic limited-overs series against England. Whereas Australia’s side has been dealt a few blows in the T20I series against India at home, where they lost 3-0 at home. They then lost the Chappell-Hadlee series to New Zealand 2-1. However Australia have reinforced their pace reserves which should make this an interesting affair. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs Australia 2016, 1st T20I at Durban
South Africa’s team will see the comeback of Dale Steyn who has been sidelined with injury. That will bolster their pace attack who are always very threatening at home. Kagiso Rabada will also be very handy in the conditions. South Africa’s batting line up is looking very dominating too given that AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla seemed to have found back their form after suffering momentary lapses.
Australia will rely on the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh to do well with the ball. In the batting department, the onus will be on Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steven Smith and Shane Watson. Smith will look to lead his team from the front. New comers like Andrew Tye will have to prove themselves.
All in all, this should be a very interesting match between two of the most competitive sides in world cricket. Australia do not boast an incredible T20 record, but they would look to make amends to that record.
