CAPE TOWN: A 120-run opening partnership between captain Aaron Finch and David Warner laid the platform for an emphatic 97-run victory for Australia over South Africa yesterday to win the twenty20 series 2-1.
Australia were put into bat and made the most of a dry surface as they scored 193 for five before bowling out their hosts for 96.
It secured a 2-1 series triumph for the touring side who will host the T20 World Cup later this year.
Australia spinner Adam Zampa took two wickets and two difficult catches as South Africa faltered early in their run chase and were bowled out in the 16th over.
Australia raced to 75 off the first six overs and reached a 100 inside the opening nine overs.
They continued to 120 off 69 balls before Warner holed out to David Miller at mid-wicket off the bowling of Anrich Nortje. Warner’s 57 runs came off 37 balls.
Finch (55 runs off 37) was trapped lbw by spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, dropping to one knee to try and hit the ball over short fine leg but struck on the thigh.
Home skipper Quinton de Kock was bowled by Mitchell Starc (3-22) in the first over of the reply and the home side lost a steady procession of batsmen.
When the hard-hitting Miller fell with the score on 87-6, the contest was effectively over.
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