T20 World Cup: Australian dugout was more relaxed than I was, says Finch after nail-biting win vs South Africa

ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Australian captain Aaron Finch hailed his team’s performance after their 5-wicket win over South Africa in the first match of the Super 12s in Group 1.

Australian bowlers were the chief architects of their 5-wicket win over South Africa (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSAustralia (121 for 5) beat South Africa (118 for 9) by 5 wickets in Abu DhabiAussie pacer Josh Hazlewood was adjudged Player of the Match for his 2 for 19 in the first half”The dugout was probably a bit more relaxed than I was,” Aaron Finch said on the tense finish

Australian captain Aaron Finch was a relieved man after his side managed to pull off a 5-wicket win over South Africa in the opening game of the Super 12s as the main draw of the ICC T20 World Cup got underway in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

The Aussies almost made a mess of their run chase of 119 but managed to scrape past the finish line with 2 balls to spare in the final over thanks to a brilliant cameo from Marcus Stoinis, after Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell laid a good platform with their fourth-wicket partnership.

Australia got off to a poor start, losing both openers Aaron Finch and David Warner to Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada respectively in the powerplay before Mitchell Marsh also followed suit in the 8th over to leave his team in a spot of bother at 3 for 38.

AUS vs SA, T20 World Cup: Highlights | Report

Smith (35) and Maxwell (18) then got together to steady the chase and rebuild the innings with their 42-run stand.

But they departed in quick succession that put Australia in trouble before Stoinis (24 not out) and Matthew Wade (15 not out) got together to steer them home with their unbroken 40-run partnership.

“The dugout was probably a bit more relaxed than I was. Anytime it comes down to the wire but Stoinis and Wade kept their cool there. It’s what experience can do,” Finch said after the game.

Australia’s bowlers responded splendidly to captain Aaron Finch’s call to bowl first after winning the toss at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Josh Hazlewood (2 for 19), Adam Zampa (2 for 21), and Michelle Starc (2 for 33) did most of the damage before Aiden Markram’s 40-run knock and Kagiso Rabada’s 19 helped South Africa reach 118 for 9, which eventually proved to be just short of a winning total.

“Maxwell did a really good job with the ball. We knew he had good matchups in the powerplay. Our whole bowling unit was outstanding. Ideally I would have loved to push Hazlewood for a third over in the powerplay. He is a world class bowler. He has accuracy and on a wicket providing variation, it can be tough.

“We understand that at different points guys need to rest and it gives others opportunities. We have some world class players back in our side now and experienced players count in a World Cup. SA are as good a fielding team as anyone in the world. They are quick, bowl with discipline. We needed a bit of luck to go our way and it did,” Finch added.

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