The third T20 between South Africa and Australia takes place at Newlands on Wednesday and with the series all square at 1-1, this is the proverbial decider.
Australia won the first T20 in Johannesburg by a whopping 107 runs and they were short price favourites to follow up in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. However the Proteas had other ideas and Quinton de Kock led from the front with 70 of his sides bat first total of 158/4 (Kane Richardson 2/21).
David Warner led Australia's reply with an unbeaten 67 but 4 of 5 South African bowlers used returned economy rates for 4.25 to 7.25 runs per over and although Ngidi was expensive he took 3 wickets. Australia's chase finished on 146/6 and the Proteas won by 12 runs.
Series Top Run Scorers (all 2 innings)
Steve Smith 74
Quinton de Kock 72
David Warner 71
Aaron Finch 56
Rassie van der Dussen 43
Series Top Wicket Takers (all 2 matches)
Ashton Agar 5
Lungi Ngidi 4
Adam Zampa 3
Pat Cummins 3
Newlands, Cape Town
Of the 11 Proteas T20's staged at Newlands South Africa have won 4, lost 6 and 1 was tied (with SA winning the Super Over). Australia have beaten the Proteas twice in this format in Cape Town, by 5 wickets in 2011 and 6 wickets in 2016.
The most recent T20 at this ground came in March 2019 when Sri Lanka provided the opposition. It was a low scoring game with both sides making 134 and South Africa butchered the run chase, needing just 18 for victory off the final 4 overs. The Proteas went on to win the Super Over and David Miller was Man of the Match.
Weather Forecast – Cape Town
Head to Head
Overall these teams have met 20 times in this format and Australia lead 12-8.
The Betting
At the time of writing South Africa can be backed at 6/4 to win the game with Sunbet whilst Australia are favourites at around 5/10 and there are a whole host of other markets available
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Note: Prices correct at the time of posting but are subject to change
The Verdict
In the absence of Couch Critic who is on holiday I will endeavour to find a couple of winners and first up I like Rassie Van Der Dussen to score more than 20.5 runs.
I will also side with Tabraiz Shamzi to take 2 or more wickets for the Proteas. He was handled with caution by the Aussies on Sunday but with this being the decider I can see more scope for aggression and ultimately Shamzi to be among the wickets.
Suggested Bets: Rassie Van Der Dussen to score more than 20.5 runs @17/20.
Tabraiz Shamzi to take 2 or more wickets @29/20
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