Australia vs South Africa Ball by Ball Commentary

FOUR! THERE IT IS! A full toss, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hits it to the mid-wicket fence. Australia win by 5 wickets!

Dot ball. Full ball, on off. Hit straight to mid off.

FOUR! That should seal the game for the Aussies! A full ball, on off. Marcus Stoinis hits it straight down the ground for a boundary. The man from long on and long off have no chance to stop it whatsoever.

A low full toss, outside off. Marcus Stoinis whips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Just a single and 8 needed from the last over. A full one, outside off. Marcus Stoinis drills it to long off for one.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for the Aussies! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hits it over mid-wicket. The man from long on gets to his right but the ball wins the race.

Just a single now. Full and wide outside off. Wade slices it to deep backward point for one.

A low and wide full toss. Marcus Stoinis hits it to sweeper cover for one.

Dropped! A full one, on off. Marcus Stoinis hits it hard down the ground. Nortje puts his right hand out. The ball hits it and goes down the ground for a couple.

A full toss, outside off. Wade slices it to third man for one.

Slower ball, yorker-length, outside off. Matthew Wade carves it to long off. A single taken! 18 runs needed off 12 balls!

Back of a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis falt-bats it to long on and collects a single.

Slower ball, fuller in length and way outside off. Matthew Wade squeezes it to backward point for a run.

Good-length ball, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hangs back and punches it to long off for a run.

Another full ball, well outside off. Matthew Wade slices it to deep point for one.

Wide! Too wide, outside off. Matthew Wade lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.

Full ball, outside off. Marcus Stoinis drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Dwaine Pretorius (2-0-9-0) is back on.

FOUR! Amazing, amazing shot by Wade! The Australian dugout is looking a bit more relieved now. On a length, wide outside off. Wade shuffles across and paddles it over short fine leg. The ball runs to the fence. 25 needed in the last 3 overs now.

A perfect yorker, on off. Wade blocks it out.

FOUR! Just short of Markram and it goes for a boundary! Length ball, on off. Wade hits it in the air towards mid off. Markram runs in and dives for the catch but the ball drops just short of him. It then runs to the fence.

Full one, on the pads. Stoinis whips it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Full and wide one. Wade runs it to third man for a single.

A high full toss, on off. Stoinis hits it to long on for one.

Kagiso Rabada (3-0-17-1) comes back into the attack.

Flatter ball, around middle and leg. Marcus Stoinis flicks it to deep mid-wicket and takes one. Australia need 36 runs from 24 balls!

A bit quicker through the air, around off, turning in sharply. Marcus Stoinis gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Floated, around middle. Marcus Stoinis reverse-paddles it to short third man.

Tossed up, on middle. Matthew Wade tucks it to the leg side to get off the mark with a run.

Matthew Wade is the new batter. A slip in place to welcome him.

OUT! BOWLED! The Big Show departs and the Proteas are right back in this game! Tossed up, on middle. Glenn Maxwell looks to play another switch hit but he misses it completely this time and the ball crashes onto his stumps. Shamsi is ecstatic and so are his teammates! South Africa BELIEVE!

Tossed up, around off. Glenn Maxwell hits it hard back to the bowler. Tabraiz Shamsi puts his boot in to stop the ball.

Short ball, around off. Glenn Maxwell mistimes his pull shot. The ball goes behind square on the leg side for one.

Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! WOW! That is a stunning catch by Aiden Markram at wide long on. South Africa are delighted as they get to see the back of Steven Smith! Short of a length, outside off. Steven Smith looks to pull yet again but it goes off the toe end as he turns the face of the bat too early. The ball goes to the right of the long on fielder. Aiden Markram runs there, dives full stretch to his right and takes a screamer! Will this bring South Africa back in the game?

FOUR! Top shot! Short of a length, outside off. Smith swivels and pulls in front of square to collect a boundary.

An appeal for LBW but the umpire says no. Back of a length, around off. Steven Smith looks to flick but misses and gets hit high on his pad.

Good-length ball, outside off. Steven Smith stays back and plays the square drive but finds the backward point fielder.

Leg bye! Good-length ball, darted on the pads. Glenn Maxwell misses his whip and gets hit on the pad. The ball rolls away behind square on the leg side and the batters sneak in a leg bye.

Change. Anrich Nortje (2-0-6-1) is back on.

A dot to end the over! Quicker ball, around off. Steven Smith stays back and guides it to short third man. 44 runs needed off 36 balls!

Flatter ball, around middle. Glenn Maxwell miscues his switch hit and the ball goes towards sweeper cover. A single taken.

Floated, outside off. Steven Smith smashes it straight down the ground. Aiden Markram runs across from long off and keeps it to two.

Shorter ball, on the pads. Smith tucks it to square leg.

Tossed up, around off, turning in late. Glenn Maxwell drills it to long on for a single.

FOUR! There comes the switch hit! Tossed up, around off. Glenn Maxwell brings out the switch hit and collects a boundary as the ball goes over short third man.

Another quicker ball, around leg. Glenn Maxwell flicks it to deep mid-wicket to collect a run.

Quicker ball, darted on the pads. Steven Smith tucks it to the leg side for one.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Flatter ball, around leg. Steven Smith backs away and goes inside out over cover and collects a boundary.

Just a tad short, around middle. Glenn Maxwell pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up, on leg. Steven Smith drills it to long on for a single.

Tossed up, on middle. Steven Smith turns it to mid-wicket.

Outside off, Smith carves it through point for one more. South Africa contiune to keep it tidy.

Just the one again! Dealing in singles are Australia at the moment! Outside off, this is hit through point for one.

A slight misfield but just the one! Outside off, this is driven towards point, the fielder does not stop it cleanly. A single taken.

Maxwell makes use of his wrists this time and plays it through mid-wicket for one.

Angled into the pads, Smith works it through square leg for one.

Just wide! Slightly fuller and on off, Smith looks to drive but does so uppishly, it goes just wide of the outstretched hand of the bowler and to mid off.

A huge appeal but turned down! On the pads, Maxwell looks to flick, it hits the pad and de Kock takes it. End of another good over. 64 needed in 54.

Really nicely bowled! Slows it up and lands it on off, Maxwell plays it back to the bowler.

Flatter this time and on the pads, it is pushed down to long on for one.

Just the one again! Angled into the pads, Maxwell flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Slower but shorter, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Angled into the pads, this is worked around the corner for one.

Drinks break! Folks, this game is headed to a thrilling finish. A lot will depend on these two if the Aussies are to win this but a couple of quick wickets here could put South Africa in control of the game. Smith holds the key for Australia as he is looking in good form and these are the kinds of situations that he excels in.

Fuller and on the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Good shot but only for one! Fuller and on middle, this is driven down to long on for a single. Fifty up for the Aussies!

Yet another dot! Outside off, shorter, Smith guides it to point.

Good length and on off, Maxwell pushes it through covers for one.

BEATEN! Flirts at one which is shorter and outside off, Maxwell looks to push at it but misses.

Outside off, this is guided through point for one.

Dwaine Pretorius comes on now.

That should have been another wicket! Big opportunity goes abegging! Shamsi tosses this up nicely well outside off. Smith goes after it with hard hands, he gets an inside edge towards short fine leg. Maxwell goes for a run. He is struggling. The fielder comes in and fires it to the keeper but the throw is not the best one. Maxwell was well short had it been a good throw. This could well cost South Africa big time. The desperation for a run there just shows the Aussies are under pressure here.

Flatter and on off, Smith goes back and blocks.

FOUR! Deft! Brilliant shot! He almost played that right before the keeper's gloves! Flatter and outside off, Smith plays it very late and past backward point for a boundary. Welcome one.

On the pads, it is worked with soft hands through square leg. They take the first one quickly but have to settle for a single.

Tossed up on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

Full and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Flatter ball, outside off. Maxwell taps it behind square on the off side. Anrich Nortje runs to his left from short third man and stops the ball. A single to end the over.

Glenn Maxwell walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Huge wicket this for the Proteas as the in-form Mitchell Marsh departs! Maharaj serves a full ball, on the pads. Marsh whips it aerially but the ball goes straight to Rassie van der Dussen at deep mid-wicket who takes a good catch.

Fuller in length, on middle. Smith eases it down the ground for a run.

Floated, on off. Mitchell Marsh drills it to long off for a run.

Good running! Tossed up, om middle. Marsh drives it past long off and collects a couple of runs.

Flatter ball, outside off. Steven Smith punches it to sweeper cover and takes a single.

A dot to end the over! Tossed up, on middle. Mitchell Marsh plays the reverse sweep but finds the short third man fielder yet again!

Shamsi serves a shorter ball, down leg. Steven Smith tucks it to the leg side for a brace.

A half-tracker, around middle. Marsh rocks back and pulls it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Floated, outside off. Mitchell Marsh plays the reverse sweep but finds the short third man fielder.

Flatter ball, on middle. Steven Smith tucks it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Tossed up, outside off. Steven Smith carves it through covers for a couple.

Change. Tabraiz Shamsi comes on now.

Flatter ball, on middle. Marsh tucks it to mid-wicket. At the end of the Powerplay, Australia are 28/2.

Just a tad short, on off. Mitchell Marsh lofts it over the bowler and takes a couple.

Floated, around off. Mitchell Marsh pushes it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, outside off. Steven Smith drives it to long off and collects a run.

Shorter ball, on middle. Mitchell Marsh flicks it to mid-wicket for a run.

Flatter ball, on middle. Steven Smith tucks it to the leg side for one.

Change. Keshav Maharaj comes on now.

FOUR! Nicely done! Short ball, around off. Steven Smith works it behind square on the leg side. Dwaine Pretorius runs across to his left and puts in a slide to stop the ball. The batters take three.

A bumper, around leg. Steven Smith sways away from the line of the ball.

Back of a length, on off. Smith gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it.

Who will bat at number 4? Steven Smith it is.

OUT! TAKEN! Just what South Africa needed at this stage! Kagiso Rabada picks the big wicket of David Warner! Full ball, around off. Warner looks to drive but it goes off the outer half of the bat towards Heinrich Klaasen at backward point who takes a good low catch. Rabada looks pumped and Australia lose their second wicket!

Short of a length, around off. David Warner hops in his crease to block this one out.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Back of a length, outside off. David Warner stays back and cuts it past point for a boundary.

Dot to finish the over. So, just a boundary from it. Full ball, on off. Marsh hits it back to the bowler.

On a length, on off. Marsh blocks this one with ease.

Back of a length, on off. Marsh looks to pull it away but misses.

Fuller ball, on off. Marsh pushes it to mid off.

Length ball, on the pads. Marsh looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

FOUR! Nicely done! Full ball, on the pads. Marsh flicks it away for a boundary.

A high full toss, on off. Warner is taken by surprise and blocks it. It is not called a no ball though.

Length ball, on the pads. Warner misses the flick and is hit on the stomach.

FOUR! Top shot! Full ball, outside off. Warner drives it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

Short of a length, on off. Warner leaps up and taps it back on the deck.

Length ball, on off. Punched to covers.

FOUR! Classic David Warner! Short ball, around off. The southpaw swivels and pulls it to the square leg fence.

Short of a length, outside off. Marsh looks to punch but misses. 2 runs and a wicket from that over.

Mitchell Marsh is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! There comes the first wicket and the pair of Rabada and Nortje does the magic! Short of a length, wide outside off. Finch throws the bat at it but gets the outside edge. The ball flies to third man. Rabada runs in to his left and slides to take a good catch.

Tap and run. Length ball, around leg. Warner taps it towards short mid-wicket for a quick single.

Length ball, down the leg side. Warner misses the flick. De Kock dives to his right and collects the ball.

Dot again. On a length, around off. Warner taps it to point.

Full ball, on the pads. Warner flicks it. The man at short mid-wicket dives to his right and stops the ball.

Play and a miss! Full ball, outside off. Warner is stuck to the crease while looking to drive and misses.

Who will bowl from the other end? Anrich Nortje it is.

Dot to finish the over. Fuller ball, on off. Finch looks to drive but gets the inside edge to mid-wicket. 2 from the first over.

Dot again. On a length, just outside off. Finch stays in the crease and blocks it.

Length ball, way down the leg side. Left alone and called a wide.

Short of a length, outside off. Finch goes for the punch but is beaten. Good bowling by Rabada.

In the air...but safe! Length ball, outside off. Finch comes down the track to flick but gets the top edge. The ball goes to the right of Rabada. He tries to get there but does not.

Tap and run. Length ball, on off. Warner taps it to short cover and sets off for a quick single.

Rabada serves a length ball, on off. Blocked out by Warner.

NOT OUT! Two runs to end the innings! Full ball, on middle. Kagiso Rabada heaves it towards deep mid-wicket and looks for the second run. The throw comes in from the deep towards Starc who whips the bails off. The replays show that Tabraiz Shamsi is well inside his crease! South Africa finish with 118/9.

Bye! Full ball, outside off. Tabraiz Shamsi misses his heave and the batters sneak in a bye! Matthew Wade, behind the sticks has a shy at his end but he misses.

Tabraiz Shamsi is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! South Africa lose another as Starc gets his man! Full ball, outside off. Anrich Nortje looks to loft it over cover but it goes off the toe end towards Aaron Finch at covers who does the rest.

Excellent comeback delivery! Starc bowls a pin-point yorker, around leg. Rabada digs it out to the leg side for one.

SIX! A much-needed maximum for South Africa! Starc misses his yorker and serves a juicy full toss, around middle. Kagiso Rabada hits a one-handed biggie over long on!

Full ball, on middle. Kagiso Rabada pushes it to long on and collects a couple.

Full ball, way outside off. Kagiso Rabada hangs back and drills it to long off for a run. Another good over for the Aussies as just 5 runs came off it!

Wade will not be happy with himself there! Yes, it bounced just in front of him but he would have been expected to stop it. Well wide outside off, Nortje throws his bat at it but misses. Wade does not collect it cleanly and a bye is run.

Leg bye! Full ball, down leg. Kagiso Rabada backs away to flick but he misses and gets hit on the pad. The ball rolls away and they sneak in a leg bye.

A slower bumper, around leg. Kagiso Rabada ducks under it.

A full toss, on middle. Kagiso Rabada looks to go over long on but it goes off the inner half of the blade to wide of long on for a couple of runs.

A yorker, around middle. Kagiso Rabada digs it out watchfully.

Change. Pat Cummins (3-0-14-1) is back on.

Good running! A low full toss, outside off. Anrich Nortje looks to drive but gets the outside edge towards third man for a couple. Just 3 runs and a wicket from the over!

Length ball, around off. Rabada looks to loft it but it goes off the outer half towards deep cover for one.

Play and a miss! Good-length ball, outside off. Kagiso Rabada looks to slog it but he misses.

Yorker-length ball, on middle and leg. Kagiso Rabada digs it out on the leg side.

Full ball, around off. Kagiso Rabada pushes it to cover.

Anrich Nortje walks out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! A huge wicket in the context of this game as the set batter in Aiden Markram walks back to the hut! Full ball, darted on the pads. Markram flicks it uppishly and the ball goes straight to Glenn Maxwell at deep mid-wicket who takes a simple catch. A day to to forget so far for the Proteas!

Change in bowling. Mitchell Starc (2-0-19-0) comes on now.

Excellent comeback from Hazlewood! Another yorker, on middle. Kagiso Rabada squeezes it out back to the bowler. 12 runs off the over!

Well bowled! Yorker-length delivery, around off. Kagiso Rabada digs it out towards cover.

FOUR! Nicely done! Short of a length, just outside off. Kagiso Rabada stays back and whacks it over mid off for a boundary.

Good-length ball, around off. Kagiso Rabada blocks it back to the bowler.

Full ball, outside off. Aiden Markram drags it to long on and takes a single.

Wide! Full and too wide, outside off. Aiden Markram lets it be. Wided!

SIX! WOW! What a clean strike! Back of a length, on middle. Aiden Markram stands tall and sends it sailing way, way over deep mid-wicket for a biggie!

Change.

Bowling change. Josh Hazlewood to bowl out now.

A really full one, a yorker to end his spell. Rabada jams it out. He wants a run but is sent back. Excellent from Zampa. 4-0-21-2 for him.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and quite wide outside off, Markram cuts but can't get it past point.

On middle, Rabada works it down to long on and gets to the other end. He is off the mark.

Flatter and on middle, it is blocked.

Markram comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for one. He holds the key now, has to be there till the end.

On a length, outside off. Punched to covers.

The physio is out for the mandatory concussion test as Kagiso Rabada has been struck on his helmet. He looks fine though and we are good to resume!

Short ball, on off. Rabada looks to duck but gets hit on the helmet.

On a length, outside off. Left alone.

Kagiso Rabada walks out to bat at number 9.

OUT! Dear, oh dear! Things go from bad to worse for the Proteas! Length ball, on off. Pushed to point by Maharaj. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end and the fielder backing up misses too. The ball goes to long on and Maharaj looks to sneak in a single. He is way down the track but Markam is not interested. Maharaj tries to get back but he slips in the middle of the pitch. Maxwell throws a wide throw to Wade. The keeper collects it and runs Maharaj out.

Fuller ball, on off. Maharaj blocks it to cover.

Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Markram hits it to long on for one.

Keshav Maharaj walks out to bat now. Also, Pat Cummins (2-0-13-1) comes back to bowl.

OUT! TAKEN! The leggie gets another and the procession for the Proteas continues! Flatter ball, outside off. Dwaine Pretorius looks to cut it but gets the outside edge. Matthew Wade does well behind the stumps and takes a sharp catch. 5 runs and 2 wickets from that over!

Googly again. But this is played to long on for one.

Googly, around off. Dwaine Pretorius chops it past covers for one.

Dwaine Pretorius is the new man in.

Review time! David Miller has opted for a review as he has been adjudged LBW!

OUT! LBW! That looked plumb and the TV umpire confirms the same! Tossed up, around leg. Miller looks to sweep it away but gets no bat on it. The ball hits the pads and it looks plumb. The finger goes up but Miller reviews it right away. There is no bat on that one and Ball Tracker shows three reds! The southpaw takes the long walk back to the hut and the Aussies are delighted!

Loopy ball, on off. Miller drives it past the diving cover fielder for a couple.

Just a single as this is hit to long off.

Change of ends for Adam Zampa!

Short of a length, on leg. Miller pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

A touch fuller, on leg. Miller works it towards fine leg for a couple.

On a length, around off. Punched down to long on for one.

Length ball, on the pads. Miller flicks it away for one.

Full ball, on off. Hit to mid off for one.

A run out decision has been sent upstairs! David Miller is well inside his crease as showed in the replay.

NOT OUT! Length ball, on off. Miller chops it back towards the bowler. Wade runs in and fires a direct hit at the bowler's end. The TV umpire is called in but Miller is well inside the crease. One taken.

Josh Hazlewood (2-1-1-2) is back on.

FOUR! Welcome boundary and Maxwell is gutted with himself! He ends his spell with a short one well outside off, Markram cuts it through point and bags a boundary. 8 from his last over but a good spell from him. 4-0-24-1 for him.

That is lovely work from Maxwell! Miller would have had to walk back had that hit. On middle, this is worked towards the leg side. Miller goes for one. The bowler gets to the ball in no time and as he turns, fires it towards the bowler's end but misses the stumps.

This time he connects with the flick shot and it goes through mid-wicket for one.

Almost! This lands on off and turns back in a touch. Markram looks to work it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Slightly shorter in length and on middle, Miller pulls it through square leg for another single.

Sees Markram come down the track and shortens the length, it is pushed down to long off for one.

Two dots in a row to end! A tidy over from Zampa! On middle, it is flicked to mid-wicket.

Flatter and on the pads, Miller once again tries to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads.

Slightly shorter again and outside off, this is slapped through covers for one.

Was that a chance? No, it was hit right into the ground! Fuller and on off, Miller hits it back to the left of the bowler. Zampa dives and gets two hands to it but does not hang on. It goes towards mid-wicket for one.

Really good running! On the pads, this is worked between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Two taken.

A little too straight, on the pads, Miller looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Drinks break! Australia have been brilliant with the ball and in the field until the halfway mark and South Africa have just not found any momentum in the middle. They would hope that the batters at the crease right now take the game deep from here on! Adam Zampa (1-0-9-0) comes back into the attack.

Floats it up on off, Miller pushes it down to long off and takes one.

Floats it up on off, it is flicked through mid-wicket for one.

Markram will feel he missed out there! Shorter and on off, this is pushed hard but to covers.

Another single! Angled into the pads, Miller nudges it towards mid-wicket.

On middle, Miller works it nicely wide of long on and takes two.

On the pads, Miller works it to short fine leg.

A yorker on the pads, finally Starc bowls a good delivery. Markram looks to jam it out but it goes off the leading edge to point.

A full toss on the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

A slower bumper now and on middle, Markram gently pulls it down to fine leg for one.

FOUR! Starc has been guilty of being way too full. Again he serves a half volley outside off, Markram strokes it beautifully through wide mid off for a boundary. Fifty up for South Africa.

Starc goes full but on the pads, Markram works it through mid-wicket. Two taken.

Length and on off, angling away, it is guided to point.

David Miller is the next batter. Also, Mitchell Starc is back on. He went for 11 in his first over.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and South Africa are in deep trouble now! Length ball, around off. Heinrich Klaasen looks to flick it through mid-wicket and closes the bat face tad early. It takes the leading edge. The ball goes straight to Steven Smith at backward point who takes a good low catch by diving forward. Huge blow for the Proteas as Klaasen was looking in good touch.

Slower ball, shorter in length, on middle. Aiden Markram works it to long on and takes a single.

Short of a length, around off. Aiden Markram punches it to cover off the back foot.

Back of a length, around middle and leg. Heinrich Klaasen tickles it to fine leg for a run.

FOUR! What a shot! Length ball, in the slot, outside off. Heinrich Klaasen prods and drives it past the mid off fielder. The ball races away to the fence.

Slower ball, fuller in length, around off. Aiden Markram tucks it to the leg side for a single.

Zampa fires in a quicker ball, around leg. Heinrich Klaasen looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

FOUR! Excellent placement from Klaasen! A half-tracker, around off. Heinrich Klaasen whips it to the left of the deep square leg fielder and collects a boundary.

Flatter ball, on middle. Aiden Markram eases it to long on for a run.

Top effort from Mitchell Marsh in the deep! A tad short, outside off. Heinrich Klaasen rocks back and cuts it past point. Marsh runs to his left and puts in a dive to save a run for his side.

Loopy ball, fuller in length, outside off. Aiden Markram carves it past covers to collect a single.

Leg bye! Flatter ball, down leg. Heinrich Klaasen misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls away and they take a leg bye!

Change. Adam Zampa is going to roll his arm over now.

Good-length ball, around middle. Heinrich Klaasen drives it wide of mid on. Mitchell Starc there runs to his left and keeps it to just one. South Africa are 29/3 at the end of the Powerplay.

Full ball, outside off. Aiden Markram goes for another expansive drive but gets the toe end. The ball goes towards cover and the batters cross for one.

FOUR! Glorious! Back of a length, outside off. Aiden Markram stands tall in his crease and punches it past the mid off fielder for a boundary.

An appeal for LBW but turned down! Length ball, outside off. Aiden Markram gets low and looks to heave it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. The impact was clearly outside off.

Good-length ball, outside off. Aiden Markram prods and drives it to mid off.

Back of a length, around off. Aiden Markram turns it on the leg side off the back foot.

Pat Cummins comes on now.

Excellent bowling from Josh Hazlewood! A wicket-maiden over! Good-length ball, just outside off. Heinrich Klaasen defends it awkwardly off the back foot.

Five dots in a row! Length ball, around off. Heinrich Klaasen defends it out.

Full ball, around off. Heinrich Klaasen drives but straight to the mid on fielder.

Back of a length, outside off. Heinrich Klaasen punches it to point.

Good-length ball, around off. Heinrich Klaasen blocks it out.

Three wickets down for South Africa and they need a big partnership now. Will Heinrich Klaasen stick around with Aiden Markram?

OUT! BOWLED! Oh, dear! Nothing is going South Africa's way! Quinton de Kock tries to get cheeky but loses his wicket in the process! Hazlewood serves a good-length ball, around off. De Kock moves across and tries to scoop it over short fine leg but he misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball loops up in the air and hits the stumps. Australia are delighted and South Africa lose their third wicket. Replays just showed that de Kock had no idea in which direction did the ball lob up. He was looking for a run and hence, wandered out of the crease but then realized it was going back onto his stumps when the ball landed in front of the sticks. By then it was too late and it went onto knock the bails off. De Kock can't believe it as he walks off really slowly.

Tossed up, on off. Quinton de Kock goes for the reverse sweep. He gets a bottom edge to third man for one.

Shorter ball, outside off. Quinton de Kock hits it to covers.

FOUR! Quinton de Kock gets his first boundary! He backs away to the leg side and Maxwell bowls a shorter ball, on leg. This is heaved over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Darted on off. De Kock backs away to the leg side and hits it to cover.

Shorter ball, on off. Aiden Markram comes down the track and hits it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Loopy ball, on off. Aiden Markram pushes it towards mid on.

Just a single and a wicket from the over! Fuller ball, outside off. De Kock pushes it uppishly to point.

Three dots in a row. On a length, on off. Flicked straight towards short mid-wicket.

Short of a length, on leg. De Kock misses the whip and gets hit on the pads.

Length ball, around off. De Kock looks to flick it but gets hit high on the pads.

Length ball, outside off. Markram looks to drive but gets the outside edge to third man for one.

Aiden Markram walks out to bat at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Josh Hazlewood is off to a flying start! He was in great form for Chennai in the Indian T20 League and has carried the same in the World Cup! This is a brilliant delivery. On a length, right in the corridor of uncertainty. Rassie van der Dussen has his feet glued to the crease while looking to push at it. All he gets is the outside edge and Matthew Wade does the rest behind the stumps!

Josh Hazlewood comes to bowl.

Shorter ball, around off. Rassie van der Dussen hits it down to long on for one. A wicket and 5 runs from the over.

That has been hit very hard but just for one! Maxwell fires it into the pads of de Kock who pulls it hard through square leg. The fielder does well in the deep to get across to his left quickly and keep it down to one.

Loopy ball, outside off. Rassie van der Dussen works it to long on to get off the mark. A single.

Rassie van der Dussen walks out to bat.

OUT! BOWLED! MAXWELL MAGIC! He bowls a flatter ball, on off. Bavuma stays in his crease looking to block. The ball stays a touch low and goes onto hit the stumps! Big and early wicket for the Aussies and they will be delighted.

Tossed up, on off. De Kock pushes it to long off for one.

Darted on the pads. Pushed to wide long on for one. It is time for Quinton de Kock vs Glenn Maxwell!

Glenn Maxwell will bowl from the other end.

Short of a length, outside off. De Kock goes for the cut but gets it from the toe end. The ball goes towards short cover. 11 from the first over!

Length ball, outside off. Bavuma reaches out for it but gets the outside edge. The ball goes to third man for one.

FOUR! He does it again! Mitchell Starc is looking for swing and serves a full ball, outside off. Temba Bavuma leans into it and drives it past point for a boundary.

FOUR! Glorious stroke! Starc goes fuller this time, around off. Bavuma drives it past mid off and gets a boundary. Great shot.

On a length, lands just outside off. Temba Bavuma pushes it to mid off.

Lovely shot and Bavuma gets South Africa underway! Starc serves a length ball, on off. Bavuma drives it nicely. The man at covers dives but cannot stop it. Two taken.

The players of both teams make their way out for the national anthems! First, it will be the anthem of South Africa which will be played, followed by the anthem of Australia! We are done with the national anthems and it is game time! The players of Australia spread out in the field. Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma are the opening batters for South Africa who are at the crease! Before we begin, the players take knee to protest against racism! It is Mitchell Starc who will start with the ball. Here we go!

Temba Bavuma, the skipper of South Africa, says that he is a bit nervous. Adds that they have two spinners, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, an all-rounder, and an extra batter in Heinrich Klaasen at number 6. Says that they have played quite a bit of cricket in the recent past and that helps. Mentions that they don't have the tag of favorites but they hope to play good cricket.

Aaron Finch, the skipper of Australia, says it looks like a good wicket, he feels it will be the same throughout. Adds they have a lot of experience, they have not had the luxury to play together in a few series but they are looking forward to this. Informs Agar and Inglis miss out. Also says he loves batting with Warner and he is someone he would rather play with and not against.

Australia (Playing XI) - Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

TOSS - It is time for the coin toss! Both the skippers are out in the middle for the same. Up goes the coin and it lands in favour of Australia. They will BOWL first!

PITCH REPORT - Sunil Gavaskar is down for the pitch report. He says that the pitch looks very even and the bowlers will get some help with the new ball. Danny Morrison says that it is quite warm in the middle. Adds that Glenn Maxwell will be a key player for Australia as he can hit the ball in all directions.

South Africa, on the other hand, will be coming into this game high on confidence having won both of their warm-up games, especially against a strong Pakistan side. Just like Australia, South Africa too haven't had much success at the T20 World Cup but this time around they seem to be a balanced side with a mix of world-class bowlers which includes Tabraiz Shamsi, the number 1 ranked T20I bowler and some experienced T20 batters in the form of Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen. Temba Bavuma, South Africa's skipper, would be hoping that there are no injury concerns for them going into this match, especially Tabraiz Shamsi, and all of them are available for selection. So many things to look forward to in this mouth-watering encounter which begins shortly. Who will draw first blood then? We'll find that soon. Stay tuned for toss and further updates.

Australia, known to be a champion side, especially at the big stage, haven't been able to crack the T20 World Cup code so far as they haven't tasted much success at this mega event. Aaron Finch and his men would be keen to turn things around in this edition and they do have a formidable side as well. The likes of in-form Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis are key to Australia's chances and not to forget that spin is also going to play a huge role in UAE. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar have their task cut out and they will need to be at their absolute best. The Aussies have got a solid 15-man squad and their skipper, Finch has already confirmed ahead of the match that they will be going in with four specialist bowlers.

The wait is finally over as the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 is set to kick off in UAE. A very warm welcome to the opening encounter where South Africa will take on Australia in Abu Dhabi's scorching heat.

... Match Day ...