South Africa v Australia T20: David Warner, Steve Smith star as Aussies wrap up series in Cape Town
With Steve Smith and David Warner coping brilliantly with the pressure on their return to Cape Town, Australia have demolished South Africa to announce themselves as real T20 World Cup contenders.
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Steve Smith and David Warner have vanquished the demons of Sandpapergate, playing starring roles in their return to Cape Town to announce Australia’s claims as World Cup heavyweights.
Warner (55 off 37) smashed his second straight half-century, while Smith showcased his evolution as a Twenty20 finisher with an awesome display of late hitting in the 97-run obliteration of South Africa in the series decider.
Smith had his redemption during the Ashes last year, and Warner in a rampant summer capped off by his claiming of the Allan Border medal.
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But returning to South African soil and facing the music there was always going to be a box that needed to be ticked, and Warner and Smith passed the test with flying colours, driving Australia to an imposing total of 5-193, which South Africa capitulated in the face of.
It’s ripped off the band aid for when Australia returns to play Test cricket in South Africa in a year’s time, and in the process sent a message that the sleeping giants of Twenty20 cricket are poised to rise for the World Cup on home soil.
Before his 12-month ban for his part in the infamous ball-tampering plot, Smith’s abilities at T20 cricket were questioned.
But he’s returned as Australia’s Mr Fix it for all scenarios – pushed down to No.5 to deliver a dazzling 30 not out off 15 – including two sixes in the last over – as the team’s finisher.
“To have that ability to come in and try and strike at 200 when the game requires it, or come in at 2-10 and navigate through a tricky six or seven overs, but still score – the ability to do that has been extraordinary for him,” said captain Finch.
“What’s changed slightly in his game is he’s probably got a little bit more freedom to play the shots.
“That’s been a huge difference to his game. Teams used to think they could just squeeze him, he wouldn’t hurt you too much at the back end, but to develop all the shots that he’s got now around the ground, he’s a super important player to us and he’s bloody impressive to watch.”
A major turning point in the game when Smith was on just six runs and had his stumps skittled by South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada in the 19th over when Australia were still a long way away from a convincing total at 4-166.
But the umpire suspected a front-foot no ball from Rabada and was proven correct on replay, with the South African overstepping by an enormous margin to save Smith’s bacon.
The Aussie dynamo didn’t need a second invitation and peeled 20 off the last over – including two colossal sixes to help the visitors post the highest ever international T20 score at Newlands.
STARC READY FOR MCCULLUM REPEAT
Mitchell Starc produced the signature moment of the 2015 one-day World Cup on home soil when he decimated New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s stumps in the first over of the final at the MCG.
Twice in this series, Starc (3-23) has done the same to South African captain Quinton de Kock and the left-armer looks primed to single-handedly win matches for Australia in the T20 World Cup.
SPIN TWINS FIRING
Aussie selectors have made a habit of chopping and changing their white ball spinners – with last year’s World Cup case in point. But barring an unforeseen drama, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar are locked in for the T20 showpiece in October.
The pair combined to put the clamps on South Africa in Cape Town after the early damage done by Starc, with Zampa claiming two wickets and Agar three – only narrowly missing out on a second hat-trick for the series.
It was the Agar and Zampa combination that joined forces for the wicket of the match.
Agar claimed the scalp of danger man Rassie van der Dussen who was caught by a flying diving catch from Zampa behind the stumps as the South African attempted a ramp shot.
MAXWELL TO COME STRAIGHT BACK IN
As Glenn Maxwell celebrated his engagement back in Australia, it became increasingly clear he will reclaim his place in the middle-order once recovered from elbow surgery.
Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh have made small contributions without clicking in their new roles at No.4 and No.5.
They’ll get another opportunity to fire against New Zealand, but the game of musical chairs is about to begin.
Captain Finch isn’t worried, but forecast Maxwell’s likely return.
“We’re always really reluctant to change a winning formula and obviously with Maxi recovering from injury at the moment, that’s one of those spots there,” said Finch.
“Regardless of who is available or who is not, the guys who continually do the job for the side will continue getting opportunities. We’ve made no secret of that. The winning formula is generally a pretty good one. You don’t want to mess with that too much.”
TEAM SONG MYSTERY
Nathan Lyon is the custodian of Under The Southern Cross I Stand team song Australia sings after every Test match they win.
But who sings the anthem after a Twenty20 series win?
The answer is TBA.
Captain Finch revealed he was unsure who would lead the rendition in Cape Town, with apparently no regular lead-singer like Lyon in the Test format.
“It’s a good question. There’s been a couple of names thrown up, I’m not exactly sure who they’ve landed on - I don’t take any ownership of that,” said Finch.
“That’s the vice-captains’ role to look after that.”