The second T20 International between South Africa and Australia takes place at Kingsmead, Durban on Sunday and after a crushing defeat on Wednesday the Proteas are 1-0 down with two to play
This is a 3 match series with all games staged at Kingsmead, after which the teams will contest a 5 match ODI series.
The series opener took place on Wednesday and Australia, who started as favourites despite missing a number of big names, came home lonely. The winning margin was 111 runs with the Aussies, who lost the toss and were invited to bat first, posting 226/6 in their 20 overs. Man of the Match Mitch Marsh was unbeaten on 92 and Tim David hit 64 including 4 of his sides 10 maximums. Williams fared best of the South African bowlers with figures of 3/44.
Reeza Hendricks hit 56 in the Proteas reply but the only other contributions of any note came from van der Dussen (21) and Jansen (20) and it was all over on 15. 3 overs with the hosts all out for 111. Sangha (4/31) and Stoinis (3/18) were the pick of the Australian bowlers.
This was how the sides lined up on Wednesday.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs (wk), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi
Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Spencer Johnson
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 23 times with 8 wins for South Africa and 15 for Australia
In Feb 2020 a 3 match series staged in South Africa was won 2-1 by Australia
Kingsmead, Durban
Over the course of the last decade South Africa have won 3 and lost 3 of 6 T20's at Kingsmead
The teams have met three times in Durban and the Aussies now lead 2-1.
You can check the weather forecast here
The Betting - 2nd T20 - Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
At the time of writing South Africa are 5/4 to win the match and Australia are 0.57/1
South Africa are 11/10 to hot the most sixes and Australia are 0.62/1
Reeza Henridks is 3/1 favourite to top score for South Africa and Travis Head is the same price to do likewise for Australia
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
After a record margin defeat the Proteas look up against it. It might need a senior player or two to come to the party if they are to turn things around and I'll take my chances with van der Dussen to be top run scorer for the home side.
Young spinner Sangha was outstanding in the first T20 filling in for Zampa who was taken ill on match day. Zampa would be a big player in the top Australian wicket taker market but whether he will have recovered was not clear at the time of writing. With that in mind Stoinis, who was also excellent with the ball in midweek, looks attractively priced.
Bets: Top South African Run Scorer van der Dussen at 33/10 with Sportingbet
Top Australian Wicket Taker Marcus Stoinis at 5/1 with Sportingbet
Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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