adminA RECORD partnership of 161 off just 13.1 overs between David Warner and Glenn Maxwell allowed Australia to clinch the second T20 International against the Proteas at the Wanderers by 5 wickets. After Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn had reduced the visitors to 32 for 3 in the sixth over, Warner (77 off 40) and Maxwell (75 off 43) decided attack was their only option and soon had the Proteas under immense pressure.
Despite needing over 12 runs per over at one point, the pair produced a fine array of shots putting the home attack to the sword with David Wiese and Imraan Tahir in particular, targeted.
Maxwell fell to Chris Morris with 12 runs still required and Warner to Rabada the first ball of the last over, but Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner saw the visitors home.
It wasn’t without drama however, as the pair needed two off the final ball to secure victory.
Marsh managed to scramble the Rabada delivery down the ground and a David Miller misfield allowed Faulkner to come back to the danger end and complete the two runs needed for victory.
Earlier, a fine knock from captain Faf du Plessis helped the Proteas set what seemed a very competitive total.
Du Plessis (79 off 41 balls) came to the wicket after the early loss of AB de Villiers (13) and received excellent support from Quinton de Kock (44 of 28 balls) and David Miller (33 off 18 balls).
James Faulkner (3/28) was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors. — Sport24.
Scores
South Africa
204 for 7
Du Plessis 79 (41 balls, 5×4, 5×6)
De Kock 44 (28 balls, 8×4, 1×6)
Miller 33 (18 balls, 2×4, 2×6)
Faulkner 3/28
Australia
205 for 5
Warner 77 (40 balls, 6×4, 5×6)
Maxwell 75 (43 balls, 7×4, 3×6)
Rabada 2/25
Steyn 2/32
Online Reporter