Watson show shatters South Africa’s challenge

Colombo: There was yet another act in the Shane Watson show at the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 on Sunday as the Australian all-rounder inspired his team to an eight-wicket Super Eight victory over South Africa.

Watson cracked 70 runs off 47 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes to destroy the Proteas’ famed bowling attack. He and Mike Hussey put on 99 runs in just 10.4 overs, but so dominant was Watson that he scored 66 of the 99 partnership compared to Hussey’s 29. Hussey remained unbeaten on 45 with two boundaries and two sixes as Australia won with 14 balls to spare.

Earlier, Watson also produced a spell of two wickets for 29 runs as he secured his fourth successive man of the match award in this tournament.

He and left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty (3 for 20) restricted South Africa to a moderate 146 for 5 batting first after Australia captain George Bailey had put them in.

South Africa would have been bowled out for a small total but for a late surge from No 7 batsman Robin Peterson, who top scored with an unbeaten 32, and No 6 Farhaan Behardien’s unconquered 31. Together they put on 60 in the last 5.5 overs to lift their team from a pathetic 86 for 5 from 14.1.

Bailey opened the bowling with Doherty and was rewarded with two quick wickets. Opener Richard Levi was out bowled for a duck to the third ball of the first over and Doherty also picked up the prize wicket of Jacques Kallis, forcing him to edge to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for six in the third over.

Hashim Amla lifted Doherty over extra cover for a six, but Watson was introduced in the sixth over and he quickly struck to dismiss Amla, who went for a pull but could only glove the ball to Wade for 16.

South African skipper AB De Villiers walked in with three of his top batsmen out in just 5.5 overs, so he and JP Duminy tried to steady the ship, picking the gaps well to keep the scoreboard moving.

But Doherty was re-introduced in the 10th over and he struck with his first ball, having Duminy stumped for 30 to end a 31-run partnership.

Watson was brought back into the attack for the 15th over and, with the first ball, he forced De Villiers to hit into the hands of Bailey in the covers for 21.

Peterson and Behardien steered South Africa past the 100-run mark in the 16th over and to a moderate total.

Chasing a run-rate of 7.30 per over, Australia’s aggressive opening pair of Watson and David Warner were stifled early on by the South Africa attack.

Morne Morkel struck with the first ball of the fourth over by clean bowling Warner for five, ensuring that the opening pair that destroyed India only put on 10 runs this time.

But Watson cracked Morkel for consecutive boundaries through point and wide mid-off and also elegantly glanced him for another four as Australia marched to victory.