Tanveer Sangha takes four wickets as Australia smash South Africa

Just 24 hours after arriving in South Africa, rookie spinner Tanveer Sangha starred as an Australian side boasting four new players smashed South Africa.

Tanveer Sangha was working out in the gym less than 24 hours after landing in South Africa when he was told he’d be making his international T20 debut as a replacement for Adam Zampa.

The rookie spinner then went out and delivered what new Australian captain Mitch Marsh called a “brilliant” performance, snaring four wickets, including two in two balls, to demolish the home team and help deliver a record 111-run victory from a team boasting four first-gamers.

Australia routed the Proteas for just 115 in their pursuit of 6-226, fuelled by Marsh’s career-high innings of 92 off just 42 balls and a 107-run partnership with T20 specialist Tim David, who cleared the fences four times in his 68 off just 28 balls.

Marsh was named player-of-the-match but it was 21-year-old Sangha who stood out having only arrived in South Africa on Tuesday in what the skipper declared a “great sign for Australian cricket”.

“I don’t think Tanveer’s heart rate gets over 100. He was in the gym when he found out and he was pretty chilled and said he was ready to go,” Marsh said after his team’s huge victory.

“He didn’t get off the plane until yesterday, wasn’t playing until this morning. He was very calm and he loves bowling.

Tanveer Sangha has officially arrived.

What a way to announce yourself to the cricketing world #SAvAUSpic.twitter.com/ukwPyYrHY7

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 30, 2023

“What we have seen him do in the Big Bash, tonight was no different, It’s great to see someone like him, his mindset, and not being nervous to come out here. I’m sure he was nervous but you couldn’t tell. He was outstanding.

“It appears he keeps it very simple which will hold him in good stead for international cricket. He’s got a great smile, so hopefully we see it for years to come.”

Sangha has made himself hard to leave out for the second game of the series on Saturday morning Australian time, with Zampa’s fitness to be assessed.

Marsh also lauded the efforts of big-hitting David, who smashed seven fours and four sixes in his third half-century for Australia. The skipper called him an “outstanding asset” for his country.

“His ability to win matches is why he’s in this team,” he said.

“I want him to play however he wants every game and I know if he does that he will win us games. He’s an outstanding asset for Australian cricket.”

Mitch Marsh and Tim David put on 107 for Australia. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images

The Australians had a few new looks, with Matt Short making 20 off just 11 balls opening the batting, while Marcus Stoinis opened the bowling with another debutant in Spencer Johnson, who finished with 2-33 after taking some early punishment.

Australia’s fourth first-gamer, all-rounder Aaron Hardie, made 23 runs and was only needed to bowl one over as the tourists dismissed South Africa in the 16th over.

“I thought everyone chipped in and the way we bowled was outstanding. Tanveer was brilliant, Spencer Johnson was really good upfront, put under a bit of pressure but that’s international cricket,” Marsh said.

“I’ve really encouraged guys to come in and be themselves, play the way they want to play and embrace playing for Australia. It’s a hard place to play in South Africa and we were able to get on top.”

The Australians are playing without a host of injured stars, including Pat Cummins (wrist), Mitchell Starc (groin), Steve Smith (wrist) and Glenn Maxwell (ankle), while Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and David Warner were given extra time to recover from their respective injuries ahead of October‘s ODI World Cup in India.