Australia wrap up T20 series with convincing win

Australia wrapped up the T20 series against South Africa on Wednesday night at Newlands, when they comprehensively beat the Proteas by 97 runs, to take the series 2-1.

Having been sent into bat, Australia got off to a flyer as captain Aaron Finch and David Warner took the game to the bowlers and put on 120 for the first wicket before Warner was dismissed for 57 off 37 balls.

Finch followed shortly after for 55, also off 37 balls. The Australians eventually finished their innings on 193 for 5.

It proved too much for the Proteas, who lost wickets regularly, and were bowled out for their second-ever lowest total score of  96, Rassie van der Dussen top-scoring with 24.

Man of the Match Mitchell Starc took 3 for 23, while Ashton Agar took 3 for 19.

In the audio below, Australia captain Aaron Finch says it was a clinical performance from his team to clinch the series, and the ideal response after losing the last game:

Finch says setting a big score certainly helped add to the pressure, especially with Australian taking early wickets and with the run rate climbing.

In the audio below, Proteas captain Quinton De Kock says he does not have an explanation for the team’s poor batting performance and says it was especially disappointing to have another ‘blowout’ after they had been bowled out for 89 in the first game:

Both teams will now turn their focus to the One Day International series that will start on Saturday in a sold-out game at Boland Park in Paarl. – Report by Rob Delport