Shane Watson’s all-round performance helped Australia trounce South Africa by eight wickets in their ICC World T20 Group 2 clash at the R Premadasa Stadium on Colombo.
Watson took two wickets for 29 in the first innings and slammed 70 off just 42 balls to guide the Aussies to a comfortable win against the African side.
Chasing a modest total of 147 to win, Australia scored from 147 for two from 17.4 overs.
Watson clobbered two sixes and eight boundaries to lead Australia’s reply after they lost David Warner early in their chase.
The left-handed opening batsman fell to South Africa pacer Morne Morkel, after scoring five.
After Warner's dismissal, Watson teamed up with Michael Hussey to take Australia forward, and the two added 99 runs for the second wicket to resurrect Australia's chase.
Hussey remained unbeaten on 45, which came from 37 balls including two sixes and two boundaries.
Cameron White too chipped in with a 13-ball 21 not out, hitting three boundaries and a six, to help Australia achieve the target.
Earlier, Australia produced a fine bowling display to limit South Africa to a modest total of 146 for five.
Australia skipper George Bailey’s decision to field first was proven right by spinner Xavier Doherty, as he rocked South Africa early on with two quick dismissals of Richard Levi and Jacques Kallis.
While the out-of-form Levi was cleaned up by the left-arm spinner for a duck, the seasoned Kallis was caught behind the wickets by Matthew Wade for six.
Hashim Amla failed to convert start into a big score as he fell for 17, which came from 15 balls including a six and a boundary. Amla fell to Australian all-rounder Shane Watson.
Amla’s dismissal in the fifth over left South Africa struggling at 33 for three.
JP Duminy and South Africa captain AB de Villiers then joined forces to take their side forward, but Doherty struck once again in the 11th over to dismiss Duminy for 30.
Duminy scored 30 off 25 balls, including four hits to the fence.
Watson continued his good run with the ball as he got rid of de Villiers in the 15th over to leave South Africa reeling at 86 for five.
De Villiers garnered 21 off 24 balls.
Brief Scores: South Africa 146 for 5 in 20 overs (Robin Peterson 32*, Farhaan Behardien 31*, JP Duminy 30; Xavier Doherty 3 for 20, Shane Watson 2 for 29) lost to Australia 147 for 2 in 17.4 overs (Shane Watson 70, Michael Hussey 45*, Cameron White 21*; Morne Morkel 1 for 23) by 8 wickets.
Man of the Match: Shane Watson
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