Aaron Finch was a pleased captain as Australia opened their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign with a five-wicket win over South Africa in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (October 23).
Chasing 119 to win, Australia got off to a terrible start as they lost Finch (0), David Warner (14), and Mitchell Marsh (11) with only 38 runs on the board. Amid the pressure situation, the duo of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell put on 42 runs to bail the team of trouble.
However, Smith (35) and Maxwell (18) got out in quick succession and the match became interesting in the death overs.
Australia needed 36 off 24 balls and it was then the pair of Marcus Stoinis (24*) and Matthew Wade (15*) shared an unbeaten 40-run stand to take the team over the line with two deliveries to spare.
“The dugout was relaxed than I was. Quite stressful, and I was nervous. Stoinis and Wade showed a cool head to get us over the line, and that is what a bit of experience can do," said Finch in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Earlier, South Africa posted 118/9 on the board after being asked to bat first. Aiden Markram was the notable contributor with 36-ball 40.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood (2-19), Adam Zampa (2-21), and Mitchell Starc (2-32) claimed two scalps each while Pat Cummins (1-17) and Maxwell (1-24) chipped in with wicket apiece.
Praising the efforts of his bowling attack, Finch said: “Maxwell did a really good job with the ball. We knew he had good matchups in the power-play. Our whole bowling unit was outstanding."
The Australian skipper revealed that he was tempted in giving a third over to pacer Josh Hazlewood in the power-play after he picked two wickets in two overs.
“Ideally I would have loved to push Hazlewood for a third over in the power-play. He is a world-class bowler. He has accuracy and on a wicket providing variation, it can be tough."
Aaron Finch, 34, concluded by saying that experienced players coming back for an event like T20 World Cup is a big plus.
“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."
Australia will take on Sri Lanka in their next game in Dubai on Thursday (October 28).
(With IANS inputs)
