The second T20 International between Australia and South Africa takes place in Darwin on Tuesday and as far as the series is concerned the Proteas find themselves 1-0 down with two to play
This is a 3 match series which concludes Cairns on Saturday 16th August. After that we have three ODI's to complete the tour.
The opening contest was also staged in Darwin on Sunday and Australia came out on top by 17 runs.
The Proteas won the toss and opted to bowl first, Australia scored quickly but wickets tumbled and the hosts were in some trouble at 75/6 after 7.4 overs. Tim David hit a crucial 83 including 8 of his sides 13 maximums and the innings closed on a competitive looking 178. Maphaka with 4/20 was the pick of the SA bowlers.
The South African run chase started quickly enough but as wickets fell the asking rate climbed and finding the boundary proved difficult. Rickleton top scored with 71, batting for virtually the whole innings, Stubbs was next highest run scorer with 37 but there was little else in the way of support and the reply closed on 161/9. Josh Hazlewood (3/37) and Ben Dwarshuis (3/26) were the leading wicket takers as the Proteas hit just the two sixes.
This was how the teams lined up on Sunday.
Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 26 times in this format with Australia winning 18 to South Africa's 8
The Betting
At the time of writing Sportingbet have Australia to win 3/10 and South Africa can be backed at 21/10
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
I gave South Africa a punchers chance in the first match but Australia were worthy winners and they extend their record breaking run in this format.
A couple of hopeful top bat and ball picks will do for me on Tuesday. Australia are looking to Mitch Marsh and Travis Head as the regular opening partnership. Neither fired on Sunday but I'll take Marsh to get it right and top score for hosts.
With the ball Nathan Ellis was expensive for the Aussies on Sunday but he looks a tricky customer with his variety and he gets the vote to be top bowler for the home side.
Bet: Top Australia Batsman Mitch Marsh at 36/10 with Sportingbet
Top Austrlian Bowler at Nathan Ellis 36/10 with Sportingbet
Prices subject to change
