(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Australia Opts to Bowl First Against South Africa in Second T20I
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl in the second T20I against South Africa, aiming to extend their impressive winning streak in the format to 10 matches. The decision follows their success in the West Indies, where they claimed five consecutive wins while chasing, and comes just two days after defending a total of 178 in the opening game of the series.
Captain Mitchell Marsh made two changes to the playing XI. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis missed out due to illness, with Alex Carey replacing him and taking the No. 7 spot — his first T20I appearance since 2021. Glenn Maxwell moved up to bat at No. 5. In the bowling attack, Sean Abbott came in for Nathan Ellis, who went wicketless in the previous match.
South Africa also reshuffled their line-up, bringing in Rassie van der Dussen at No. 6 and giving legspinner Nqaba Peter a debut in a pace-heavy attack. They rested left-arm allrounders George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy. Captain Aiden Markram hinted that a total above 180 could prove competitive on the same pitch used for the first match, where dew played a role in the second innings.
Current Series Status: Australia lead 1-0 in the three-match T20I series.
Playing XIs
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Alex Carey (wk), Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi.
