T20 2: SA Complete T20 rout against Aus

Sreelata YellamrazuMar 31 2009

Ricky Ponting hinted that the Australians were tiring of watching Albie Morkel finish match sensationally for South Africa. So, the hosts decided to give him and his team a break. Four big changes, and the result was a rookie who walked away with the accolades!

van der merwe

On a day when there was no Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Makhaya Ntini or Dale Steyn, South Africa still managed to put the Australians to shame, in the second Twenty20 match at Supersport Park in Centurion. This, after they still did not look like they had enough runs on board to post a challenge enough for the visitors.

South Africa opened with Herschelle Gibbs and spinner Robin Peterson. While Gibbs flattered to deceive, the momentum thereafter was largely created through Peterson through some scintillating strokes for thirty-four. But with the steady dribble of wickets, South Africa appeared poised on a precipice and if they rose, it was because of a debutant.

Roelof van Der Merwe had a mixed start to his international Twenty20 career. Initially criticized for unable to find gaps in the field, the fall of wickets appeared to have slowly but surely spurred him on. Just when murmurs that he should give up his wickets instead of wasting time at the crease for team were floating around, van der Merwe unleashed a series of shots that silenced both the sceptic crowds as well as the Australian team.

Australia found themselves losing grip on a South Africa that was struggling at three down for seventy-one and four down for ninety-six. Van der Merwe clearly outshone JP Duminy before him and Albie Morkel after him. It did not get South Africa to an unassailable target but it did give them a competitive one.

If South Africa had to win this one, their best chance laying in tightening the noose on the runs and picking up all ten Australian wickets. Johann Louw made a nervous start to the proceedings and one had to wonder if the entire team was feeling the jitters too. But David Warner was cleaned up by Morkel and it started the slow and steady descent for Australia.

South Africa captain Johan Botha, like in many of the ODIs in Australia, was once again responsible primarily for putting the brakes on the Australians while snapping up a key wicket or two. Botha banished Michael Clarke who opened the innings and that set the cat amongst the pigeons as it would unravel for Australia in the next half hour or thereabouts.

Van der Merwe was clearly enjoying the ride, having found the middle of his bat and his confidence. He took David Hussey, the star player for Australia in the first match and threatening to do more in the second, out of the equation and in the very next ball, Callum Ferguson was run out with facing a ball. With Australia six down for 106, South Africa showed how a competitive team with a modest total could still wreck havoc on the opposition.

Brad Haddin and James Hopes tried to do the impossible but run scoring had become difficult and 157 suddenly looked like a great target. Australia faded into the background with 139 on board and South Africa sealed a joyous 2-0 victory in the two Twenty20 matches, the final run up as a team to the World Twenty20 in the UK still sometime away.

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