T20 World Cup: Australia beat South Africa by 5 wickets

Steve Smith playing a shot against South Africa. Pic/AFP

Australia beat South Africa by five wickets in their opening Super 12 Group 1 match of the T20 World Cup.

Australia chased down the target of 119 in 19.4 overs with Steve Smith scoring 34-ball 35. For South Africa, Anrich Nortje took two wickets while Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi got one each. Earlier, Electing to bowl, Australia restricted South Africa to a meagre 118 for nine.

Aiden Markram scored 40 for the Proteas after their top-order crumbled. Kagiso Rabada was the next best batter for them with an unbeaten 19-run knock at number eight. Fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood (2/19) and Mithcell Starc (2/31) took two wickets apiece while spinner Adam Zampa (2/21) also accounted for two batters.

Brief Scores: South Africa: 118 for 9 in 20 overs. (A Markram 40, K Rabada 19 not out; J Hazlewood 2/19, A Zampa 2/21). Australia: 121 for 5 in 19.4 overs (Steve Smith 35, Anrich Nortje 2/21).

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