David Miller's maiden Twenty20 international 50 kept up South Africa's winning streak, in a tense first match of three against Australia here on Friday
SA's David Miller celebrates his 50 against Australia on Friday
Durban: David Miller's maiden Twenty20 international 50 kept up South Africa's winning streak, in a tense first match of three against Australia here on Friday.
SA's David Miller celebrates his 50 against Australia on Friday. Pic/AFP
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The hosts, 2-0 victors at home to England and in India in their last two series, were up against it in pursuit of 157 for nine this time — until Miller took over with an unbeaten 53 from 35 balls.
The left-hander turned the momentum with two big sixes in three balls, off Andrew Tye in the 16th over — and he duly put South Africa 1-0 up, with three wickets and four balls to spare.
Australia, who chose to bat, threatened a much bigger total — especially when opener Aaron Finch was clubbing the first three balls of JP Duminy's over for successive sixes in a powerplay which finished with the tourists blazing away on 69 for one.
It was Imran Tahir (three for 21) and David Wiese who then did most to stall the Aussies.
The leg-spinner struck the biggest blow with his very first delivery when Finch hit a low full-toss into the hands of deep midwicket to depart for 40 off just 18 balls.
Brief scores
Australia 157-9 in 20 overs (A Finch 40, M Marsh 35; I Tahir 3-21, D Wiese 2-16) lost to SA 158-7 in 19.2 overs (D Miller 53*, F du Plessis 40; Coulter-Nile 3-29) by 3 wickets
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