Cape Town: Steve Smith-led Australia defeated South Africa by six wickets in the third T20 international at Newlands. Chasing 176, the visitors were on top after their openers provided a 76-run stand for the opening wicket.
Over 19.2 | Score 181/4 (Maxwell 19*, Marsh 4*)
Australia have won the match and the series 2-1!
After the openers, Smith and Warner added a 79-run stand for the third wicket. That partnership hurt the hosts badly as they failed to get breakthroughs at regular intervals. By the time the duo was back in the hut, Australia were in the driver's seat and Maxwell, Marsh sealed the match.
Over 15 | Score 138/2 (Smith 33*, Warner 26*)
Warner and Smith scored 52 runs in the last five overs. Warner scored three boundaries in Wiese's second over, at a time when the run-rate was soaring for the hosts. They now need 41 runs off the last 30 balls. South Africa need a couple of wickets as soon as possible, as Australia can easily win this with several swashbuckling batsmen still to come.
Over 10 | Score 86/2 (Smith 6*, Warner 3*)
Watson was dropped on 30 by Miller at long-off off an easy chance against Imran Tahir. The openers were going berserk before Tahir removed both of them in the ninth over. Smith and Warner are currently at the crease and South Africa will have to dismiss both of them as they can take the match away from the hosts in no time.
Over 5 | Score 39/0 (Watson 19*, Khawaja 19*)
Australian Openers Shane Watson and Usman Khawaja have made a decent start by adding 39 runs in the first five overs. South African bowlers have bowled with an accurate line and length so far and the Aussies would be looking to make the best of the last over of powerplay.
South African innings:
Over 20 | Score 178/4 (Amla 97*, Duminy 1*)
Amla was brilliant from the word go and he has carried his bat with an unbeaten 97-run knock off 62 balls! Miller's 16-ball 30 provided South Africa the much-needed fllourish and he was dismissed by Faulkner in the final over.
This looks like a decent total, but Australia have the firepower and consdering they chased down 204 in the previous match, South African bowlers will have to bowl their hearts out today.
DA Miller c Khawaja b Faulkner 30 (16b)
Over 15 | Score 123/3 (Amla 75*, Miller 0*)
Miller is the new man in after Rossouw was dismissed post a scratchy innings.
While Amla continued to punish the Australian bowlers, his rhythm was affected by Rossouw, who was struggling to time the ball ever since he came to the crease. He was finally dismissed by Coulter-Nile in the 15th over.
RR Rossouw c Smith b Coulter-Nile 16 (21b)
Over 10 | Score 87/2 (Amla 53*, Rossouw 3*)
Hashim Amla continues to play some delightful strokes and he reached his 50 off just 31 balls. It's great from South Africa's perspective that he has found his form today. New batsman Rossouw needs to give him some support from the other end.
Earlier, du Plessis was removed by Watson after he was brilliantly caught by Faulkner at short midwicket.
F du Plessis c Faulkner b Watson 4 (7b)
Over 5 | Score 58/1 (Amla 32*, Faf 0*)
Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock got the team off to a brillliant start by adding 47 runs from just four overs. Nathan Coulter Nile got Australia their first breakthrough when de Kock skied one towards third man. Faf du Plessis is the new man in and Amla is looking in great touch at the moment.
Q de Kock c Hastings b Coulter-Nile 25 (13b)
It is like a final match since both the teams have won a match apiece.
While South Africa convincingly won the first match by three wickets, visitors fought back brilliantly in the second match to pull off an incredible win.
Chasing 204 to win, Australia were wobbling at 32/2 before David Warner and Glenn Maxwell stitched a brutal 161-run stand for the fourth-wicket partnership. The stand proved to be a match-winning one, as Australia chased down the formidable total off the last ball of the innings.
Both teams would want to play out of their skins to seal the series and carry some confidence going into the ICC World Twenty20.
