South Africa produced a fighting performance in the second T20I to edge Australia by 12 runs in a thrilling contest at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Defending a modest 158 runs, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and local hero Anrich Nortje produced some superb death bowling under huge pressure to clinch the win and square the series up at 1-1 as the Aussies finished on 146 for six.
The final match will be played at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday (February 26).
Aussie opener David Warner carried his bat for 67 not out in a brave innings that was just not enough to get his side over the finish line.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock blitzed a half-century as South Africa scored 158 for four.
The Proteas captain led from the front as he battered 70 in only 47 deliveries to help set Australia the second-highest target in T20Is at St George’s Park.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
South Africa complete an incredible comeback to win by 12 runs! 🎉
Warner finishes on 67* but it's not enough.#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/ybPadLzEsV
— ICC (@ICC) February 23, 2020
This #Protea team is just the best…we havent seen the best from the SA team in a long time…pure brilliance #SAvAUS
— Valentine (@makalesley) February 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/uMfuuh/status/1231609914683990016
https://twitter.com/Mafiasanza/status/1231609877245677572
We did it it’s 1-1. What a WOW from our bowlers #ProteaFire #SAvAUS
— Shumani (@shumanie777) February 23, 2020
Australia choking from a winning position against South Africa. I have seen it all.#SAVAUS
— ` (@FourOverthrows) February 23, 2020
What an absolutely awesome comeback from the @OfficialCSA.
They level the series 1-1. Amazing game of cricket. #SAvAUS— Ali Gohar Durrani (@khaneliegohar) February 23, 2020
Day made, a win is a win! #ProteaFire #T20cricket #SAvAus https://t.co/fY8ry2YtJ9
— Tsakane Ndubane (@T_Ndu) February 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/AdamDhoni1/status/1231610729645645825
What a match, what a vibe, @StGeorgesParkSt faithful never lost their #ProteaFire, in the end, a great win by our boys, s/o to @AnrichNortje02. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/eq94ygBUzo
— Gxiya. (@__zamo) February 23, 2020
What a fantastic win by #SouthAfrica 🔥🔥 👏👏 #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/hyZdp5FqYg
— Abhimanyu Meena (@Abhiman71820897) February 23, 2020
Outstanding comeback from South Africa today!!!!
Stunning bowling performance, Warner just did not get enough strike at the tail end of the innings!!
Series is alive and kicking#SAvAUS #Warner #Ngidi— Samay Turakhia (@samay_srt) February 23, 2020
Australia lost 4-30 in the final 5 overs – that was where the game was won. This is where the Proteas need to be every game #ProteaFire #SAvAUS
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) February 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/Nithin_Neyyan/status/1231611947184881665
