White delighted as Australia prevail in opening Twenty20

Watson, Cummins lead the way in five-wicket win over South Africa.

CAPE TOWN: Australia captain Cameron White was delighted after his team beat South Africa by five wickets in the first Twenty20 at Newlands.

Three wickets by debutant Patrick Cummins helped Australia restrict the hosts to 146 for seven before Shane Watson made a hard-hit half-century as they chased down the total with three balls to spare.

“We made hard work of it in the end but it’s nice to start with a win,” said White. “We were under pressure coming in but it’s an exciting team with some new players.”

Fast-bowler Cummins, 18, took three wickets in four balls in his last over as South Africa recovered from a dreadful start to post a moderate total.

Free-scoring Australian opener David Warner was run out off the first ball he faced but Watson (52) and Shaun Marsh (25) put Australia firmly in control during a second wicket stand of 82 off 53 balls.

Watson, on two, survived when Graeme Smith missed a straightforward slip chance off Morne Morkel. The edge ripped through Smith’s hands and went for four.

He drove the next ball for another boundary and raced to his fifty off 34 deliveries.

South Africa bowlers fought back after Watson and Marsh were dismissed in successive overs but the tourists were always ahead of the required run rate, even though it went down to the final over.

Duminy leads the way for South Africa

Earlier, JP Duminy provided the backbone for a stuttering South African effort with a sparkling innings of 67.

Smith was sent back by Doug Bollinger and new captain Hashim Amla was run out as South Africa struggled after winning the toss. Duminy shared half-century partnerships with Colin Ingram (33) and David Miller (20) but just when it seemed the home side were set for a strong finish Cummins struck twice in the 19th over.

Amla admitted South Africa made mistakes in the field. “We did quite well to take it down to the last over,” he said. The teams play the second Twenty20 in Johannesburg tomorrow.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2011.