Australia and South Africa are ready to lock horns in a one-off T20 international in Carrara on Saturday. Both teams have already faced each other in the three-match ODI series, where the visitors won with a 2-1 margin. In their last 20-over assignment, the Kangaroos suffered a demoralising 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Going into the Saturday's clash, the Baggy Greens will be relying heavily on captain Aaron Finch and explosive duo of Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell to score bulk of the runs in the batting department, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Nathan Coulter-Nile, Billy Stanlake and AJ Tye to provide timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, South Africa will come in to the match full of confidence after an impressive win in the ODI series, and will be eager to finish their tour on a high. In the batting department, the team will be relying on captain Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock to provide stability at the top, whereas explosive left-hander David Miller will have the responsibility to provide big finish. In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Andile Phehlukwayo to provide timely breakthroughs.
Both teams have faced each other in 17 T20Is, where Australia have a far better record with 11 wins and six defeats. In those contests, the highest individual score of 97 was registered by South Africa's Hashim Amla in 2016,
Australia and South Africa are ready to lock horns in a one-off T20 international in Carrara on Saturday. Both teams have already faced each other in the three-match ODI series, where the visitors won with a 2-1 margin. In their last 20-over assignment, the Kangaroos suffered a demoralising 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Going into the Saturday's clash, the Baggy Greens will be relying heavily on captain Aaron Finch and explosive duo of Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell to score bulk of the runs in the batting department, whereas in the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Nathan Coulter-Nile, Billy Stanlake and AJ Tye to provide timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, South Africa will come in to the match full of confidence after an impressive win in the ODI series, and will be eager to finish their tour on a high. In the batting department, the team will be relying on captain Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock to provide stability at the top, whereas explosive left-hander David Miller will have the responsibility to provide big finish. In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Andile Phehlukwayo to provide timely breakthroughs.
Both teams have faced each other in 17 T20Is, where Australia have a far better record with 11 wins and six defeats. In those contests, the highest individual score of 97 was registered by South Africa's Hashim Amla in 2016, whereas the best bowling figures of 3-20 was registered by former Australia's left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty. This will be the first T20 international to be played at the venue, but it is expected that the pitch might turn out to be a batting paradise.
Key Players:
Tabraiz Shamsi – 8 Cr
First in the list of key players features South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi. The left-arm wrist-spinner has proven himself as a more than capable bowler in the shortest format of the game. So far, the 28-year-old has represented the Proteas in only eight matches, where he has five wickets to his name, which does not make good reading, but his record in T20s in an impressive one where he has 99 wickets to his name in 97 outings. Valued at 8 Cr, Shamsi might prove to be a correct purchase, especially considering how poorly Australia played again left-arm spinners from Pakistan in the recently concluded T20I series.
David Miller – 9 Cr
Second in the list of key players features South Africa's David Miller. The left-handed batsman is in prime form as he scored a match-winning century in the ODI series decider. Valued at 9 Cr, Miller is the player to have in your team as not only he is great form, but he also holds an outstanding record in the shortest format of the game and is a proven finisher. Till now, Miller has scored 1,142 runs at an average of 29.28 in 63 T20Is while representing the Proteas.
Glenn Maxwell – 9 Cr
Last in the list features Australia's Glenn Maxwell. The hard-hitting all-rounder had a disappointing outing in the 50-over format, but had a great time with the bat during the three-match T20I series against Pakistan. Valued at 9 Cr, Maxwell can prove to be a really good acquisition as he has the ability to turn the game upside down in the matter of few overs with the bat and can also be useful with the ball as well.
