Australia vs South Africa player ratings as Australia kickstart their T20 World Cup campaign with a five-wicket victory

Aaron Finch’s Australia got off to a blistering start in the T20 World Cup 2021 as they outclassed South Africa in their first match by five wickets. It was a low-scoring game as the bowlers ruled the show. Though South Africa tried their best to control the game with the ball, Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis took Australia home with a short yet effective cameo in the end. 

Player ratings for Australia vs South Africa clash 

Australia 

Aaron Finch (c) ( 3/10): Aaron Finch succumbed to a torrid outing as he lost his wicket on a five-ball duck to Anrich Nortje. However, the skipper deserves the credit for his tactical decisions on the field and the brilliant rotation of the bowlers throughout the first innings. 

David Warner (4/10): David Warner continued his poor form with the willow as the batter perished after a good start. Warner gave his wicket away to Kagiso Rabada after scoring just 14 runs off 15 deliveries. 

Mitchell Marsh ( 2/10): A lot was expected from the right-handed top-order batsman. However, Marsh failed to live up to the expectations as he left Australia hanging in the middle after adding 11 runs to the scoreboard in 17 balls. 

Steven Smith ( 6/10): Steve Smith looked in fine form and was all set to post a big knock. However, the batter gifted his team to the opposition with an easy catch off Anrich Nortje. The veteran played a much-needed knock of 35 runs. 

Glenn Maxwell ( 6/10): Glenn Maxwell shined with the ball as he picked up one wicket of Temba Bavuma while bowling at an economy rate of 6. The all-rounder didn’t have an equally good outing with the bat as he had to go back after scoring only 18 runs.

Marcus Stoinis ( 8.5/10): It was another good day at the office for Marcus Stoinis. The all-rounder essayed the role of a finisher for the Men in Yellow as he played a sublime knock of 24 runs off 16 balls. 

Matthew Wade ( 7/10): Matthew Wade was decent with the gloves while he also stood till the very end to take Australia home in a tricky run chase. Wade played a crucial knock of 15 runs off 10 balls. 

Pat Cummins ( 8/10): Just like other Australian bowlers, Pat Cummins also performed well in the match. Cummins ended the stay of Heinrich Klaasen in the middle while he was also the most successful Australian bowler in terms of economy. The 28-year-old was a miser with the ball as he conceded only 17 runs in the 24 balls he bowled during the match. 

Mitchell Starc ( 7.5/10): Mitchell Starc asked some hard questions from the opposition batters as he took two wickets in his first T20 World Cup 2021 match. Starc has the wicket of Aiden Markram and Anrich Nortje under his belt. However, the seamer was expensive with the ball as compared to other bowlers as he leaked runs at an economy rate of 8.

Adam Zampa ( 9/10): Adam Zampa made the most of the dry UAE pitches as he emerged as a potential threat for the South Africa bowlers. Zampa was successful in sending David Miller and Dwaine Pretorius back to the pavilion while bowling at an economy rate of 5.2. 

Josh Hazlewood ( 9/10): Josh Hazlewood showed signs of brilliance as he continued his brilliant form from the Indian Premier League. The seamer picked up two wickets of Quinton de Kock and Rassie Van der Dussen while conceding just 19 runs in his four overs. 

South Africa 

Quinton de Kock (2/10): Quinton de Kock didn’t have an ideal outing as he failed to give South Africa a good start. De Kock added seven runs to the scoreboard before losing his wicket to Josh Hazlewood in the fifth over. 

Temba Bavuma (c) ( 3/10): There were high hopes from the South Africa skipper but he failed to execute his plans in the middle. Temba’s stay on the crease ended as Glenn Maxwell uprooted his stumps when he was playing at 12 off 7.

Aiden Markram ( 8.5/10): The only South African batter who justified his selection in the playing XI was Aiden Markram. While there was a flurry of wickets at one end, Markram played a morale-boosting knock of 40 runs off 36 deliveries. It was Mitchell Star who sent the attacking batter back to the pavilion. 

Rassie van der Dussen ( 1.5/10): Rassie van der Dussen looked out of form during the game as he easily gifted his wicket to Josh Hazlewood in the third over. 

David Miller ( 3/10): Just like the other South African batters, David Miller was also poor with the bat. Miller scored only 16 runs off 18 balls during his short stay on the crease. 

Heinrich Klaasen ( 2.5/10): Heinrich Klaasen needs to come back stronger in the next game. The batter lost his wicket to Pat Cummins after posting 13 runs on the scoreboard off 13 balls. 

Dwaine Pretorius ( 4/10): Dwaine Pretorius went wicketless against Australia and also proved to be expensive with the wall. The seamer conceded 26 runs in 3.4 overs. 

Kagiso Rabada ( 7/10): Kagiso Rabada made some notable contributions with the bat and the ball for South Africa. The pacer picked one wicket of David Warner along with adding 19 runs to the scoreboard. 

Keshav Maharaj ( 7/10): In the game, Keshav Maharaj was responsible for picking up the crucial wicket of Mitchell Marsh. He gave away just 23 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 5.8. 

Anrich Nortje ( 8/10): Anrich Nortje was the pick of the bowler for the Proteas. Nortje scalped two wickets in the form of Aaron Finch and Steve Smith. In the end, his figures read, 4-0-21-2.

Tabraiz Shamsi ( 7/10): Tabraiz Shamsi also delivered a decent performance with the willow. Shamsi ended the stay of Glenn Maxwell in the middle while he conceded runs at an economy rate of 5.8.

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