COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Shane Watson continued his impressive form with both bat and ball as Australia cruised to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against South Africa in their Super Eight match in the World Twenty20 yesterday.
Watson picked up two wickets for 29 runs with the ball and then cracked 70 off just 47 balls for his fourth consecutive man-of-the-match award in as many matches in the tournament.
Chasing 147 for victory, Australia lost opener David Warner early but Watson snubbed South Africa’s hopes of victory with a 99-run stand for the second wicket with left-hander Mike Hussey (45 not out).
The all-rounder, who is now both the highest scorer and wicket-taker in the tournament, hit eight boundaries and two massive sixes during his knock before he was out caught by Wayne Parnell off left-arm spinner Robin Peterson.
Peterson was unlucky when Parnell dropped a difficult catch off his bowling to dismiss Watson when he was on 52. Captain and wicketkeeper AB de Villiers also missed a stumping chance to dismiss Hussey off the same bowler.
Australia’s left – arm spinner Xavier Doherty, playing his first match of the tournament, picked up three wickets for 20 runs to put South Africa on the backfoot after Australia had opted to field first.
Doherty dismissed opener Richard Levi and Jacques Kallis in his first two overs and later took the wicket of Jean-Paul Duminy (30) as South Africa struggled for momentum.
Peterson (32 not out) and Farhaan Behardien (31 not out) added 60 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket to help their team reach 146 for five.
South Africa captain de Villiers said his side needed early wickets, especially that of Watson to defend the total.
