Tri Series 2016, Match 4: Australia v South Africa – 5 Talking Points

David Warner’s patient century and classy bowling performances from Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc helped Australia bounce back wonderfully to pip South Africa by 36 runs at Warner Park in St. Kitts in the 4th ODI of the tri-series yesterday. The Aussies made a terrific turnaround in the match to come back from behind and win the game, moving up to the top spot on the points table. Batting first, the Australians put up a solid batting show and reached 288/6 in the first innings powered by delightful knocks from Warner (109 from 120 balls), Usman Khawaja (59 from 71 balls) and Steven Smith (52 from 49 balls). In reply, the Proteas were cruising well towards the target with Amla (60 from 64 balls) and Faf du Plessis (63 from 76 balls) looking strong. However, leg spinner Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc then triggered a collapse and bundled the opposition for just 252, thereby giving a superb 36 runs win.

1.Warner scores a century at Warner park:

After a rare failure in the previous ODI against the same opposition, Warner came back to his dominant best and emerged as Australia’s top performer last night. The left hander struck his sixth ODI hundred, and first outside Australia to lay the platform for his team to post a commendable total on the board. His opening partner Aaron Finch could not get the momentum and fell cheaply. But, Warner seemed to have liked the short boundaries and slow nature of the wicket totally. He began his day at the crease with to boundaries in the first over and went on to strike 11 four and 2 sixes during his innings. Warner brought up his century in the 32nd over. However, his stay at the crease afterwards was short lived as he lost his wicket a couple of overs later, just after the drinks break to Wayne Parnell.

2. Usman Khawaja plays supporting role:

The series was certainly not happening to be very productive for Usman Khawaja. He got starts in the first two games but failed to make use of it. Last night saw him fare better than the first two ODIs. Khawaja played wonderfully and held things together with Warner after Finch’s early departure. He piled on a match-defining 136 run stand for the 2nd wicket and took Australia to a commanding position. His fluent stroke play ensured smooth run scoring from both ends. A big knock from his side and a total in excess of 300 looked like a big possibility. He brought up his half-century just a ball after his partner crossed the 100 run mark. However, just like Warner, his stay at the crease was also very short lived as he brought his downfall in the 39th over off Aaron Phangiso’s bowling.

3. Steven Smith’s brilliance:

Davis Warner and Usman had taken Australia to a settled position in the game. But, the fall of their wickets in short succession had disturbed the momentum of the game for the Aussies. But, skipper Smith then arrived at the crease and managed to drive his team to a respected total with a quick half-century.  He played clever strokes and found the boundaries on regular occasions. He went past his fifty with a pair of boundaries in the last over and remained not-out at 52 off 49 balls, helping Australia post a total in excess of 280.

4. Proteas ride on Amla-Du Plessis stand:

South Africa had a challenging total to chase in front of them. However, after a smooth little start, the Proteas suffered a setback in the form of Quinton de Kock. But, De Kock’s early departure did not hamper the chasing effort as Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis stitched a 105 runs stand between them for the 2nd wicket to put South Africa in the driver’s seat. Both built a solid platform to complete the chase, taking their side to 140/1 before Amla (60 from 64 balls) was sharply taken by Smith at cover off Hazlewood in the 26th over.

5. Adam Zampa & Starc script a superb comeback:

The Amla-Du Plessis duo had made South Africa look like favorite to win. The Australian fast bowlers were easily negotiated by the Amla and Du Plessis. However, things began to change its momentum after Starc and Hazlewood began to find some reverse swing. Hazlewood snapped both the well-set batsmen and Starc got better of AB de Villiers to being back the Aussies into the game. Leg spinner Adam Zampa then came and produced yet another wonderful spell, wiping off the lower middle order with wicket of JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien and Wayne Parnell. Starc then cleaned up the tail and the match got finished much before than expected. In short, the Aussies snapped 7 wickets for 42 runs to ensure superb victory for their side.