A superb bowling effort by South African bowlers helped them to level the series in the 2nd T20I match played at ST George Stadium, Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
South African captain Quinton de Kock won the toss and decided to bat first. It was an ideal start for the hosts as de Kock looked in sensational form taking on Australian pacers in form of Richardson, Starc and Cummins. On the other hand, Reeza Hendricks struggled to time the ball. At the end of six overs, South Africa were 59 for 0.
After the power play overs, Kane Richardson provided the breakthrough dismissing Hendricks for 14 off 17 balls. South African openers added 60 runs for opening wicket. Faf du Plessis came to the crease and rotated the strike along with de Kock. Cummins did the job by picking wicket of du Plessis to stem the run flow. Van der Dussen joined in with de Kock and showed his intent. De Kock reached his fifty off 31 balls. Both batsmen struggled but added 50 runs for the 3rd wicket. Adam Zampa struck to dismiss the dangerous de Kock for 70. Richardson got other dangerous batsman Van der Dussen for 37. South Africa posted 158 for 4 at the end of 20 overs.
Chasing 159 runs to win, David Warner looked in sensational form putting the bad balls away for fours. Lungi Ngidi provided the big breakthrough dismissing Finch for 14. Finch and Warner added 48 runs in just 4.4 overs. Smith came to the crease and showed his positive intent. At the end of six overs, Australia scored 54 for 1.
After the power play overs, the experienced duo of Smith and Warner rotated the strike and also hit occasional boundaries. Dwaine Pretorius struck to get rid off Smith with a superb catch by Faf du Plessis diving forward. Smith and Warner added 50 runs for the 2nd wicket. Warner looked in complete control to reach his fifty off 38 balls. Alex Carey looked comfortable with his stroke play but was bowled by Ngidi to bring back South Africa into the match.
With 25 runs needed off 3 overs, Lungi Ngidi bowled a brilliant over giving away just 5 runs and taking the wicket of Mitchell Marsh with a sensational rely catch from Faf du Plessis and then to David Miller. Rabada then showed his class with just 3 runs in the 19th over and getting wicket of Wade which titled match in favour of South Africa. Anrich Nortje produced a brilliant 20th over dismissing Ashton Agar giving away just 4 runs. After the 13th over, Warner was not able to hit a boundary. South Africa won the 2nd match by 12 runs to level the series at 1-1.
South Africa 158 for 4 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 70, Van der Dussen 37, Kane Richardson 2/21) beat Australia 146 for 6 in 20 overs (David Warner 67*, Lungi Ngidi 3/41) by 12 runs.
For his captains knock, Quinton de Kock was awarded the man of the match. The third and deciding match will be played at New lands, Cape Town on 26th February.
