Marsh, Tanveer shine in Australia’s win over South Africa in T-20
Sangha was not even meant to be playing, but the late scratching of Adam Zampa with illness resulted in the 21-year-old leg-spinner being rushed into the side. It meant Australia fielded four debutants – Aaron Hardie, Johnson, Matt Short and Sangha.
Pinch hitter Mitch Marsh produced a blistering captain’s knock while Tanveer Sangha made a dream debut as Australia crushed South Africa by a record 111 runs in the series-opening T20 match in Durban.
Marsh made an unbeaten 92 off 49 balls and Tim David (64 off 28 balls) also chipped in as Australia posted 226 for six at Kingsmead on Wednesday night.
In reply, South Africa were bowled out for a paltry 115 in 15.3 overs, with Sangha (four for 31) and Marcus Stoinis (three for 18) doing the damage.
Sangha was not even meant to be playing, but the late scratching of Adam Zampa with illness resulted in the 21-year-old leg-spinner being rushed into the side. It meant Australia fielded four debutants – Aaron Hardie, Johnson, Matt Short and Sangha.
“It’s always nice to start a three-match series with a win, and my job is to score runs, so it was nice to get a couple,” Marsh said after the match. He also won the award for Man of the match.
Australia were in cruise control at 69 for one in the fifth over, but the loss of Short (20 off 11), Josh Inglis (1) and Stoinis (6) in quick succession resulted in the visitors slumping to 77 for four. David and Marsh combined for a 97-run partnership to steady the ship.
Marsh’s decision to open the bowling with Stoinis proved a masterstroke, with the all-rounder snaring the scalp of Temba Bavuma in an over that cost just one run. Sangha was introduced into the fray in the seventh over with South Africa at 53 for two.
He snared his maiden T20 scalp with his sixth ball when Aiden Markram struck him straight to backward point. When Sangha sent Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs packing in consecutive deliveries in the eighth over, South Africa’s victory hopes were all but over.
