Group B Match 16
Australia (Thandamilk) vs South Africa (Psymax78)
at Sydney, Australia
Toss: South Africa
SAF 148 all out in 17.5
Gibbs 50 (39), Clark 4/29, Johnson 2/5
lost to
AUS 151/4 in 15.1
North 51 (35), Johnson 44 (39), White 24 (8), Kallis 1/21, Steyn 1/17
by 6 wickets
MoM: M Johnson
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Australia, in a spot of bother in Group B with 3 losses from 6 matches, pretty much need to win all their matches to have any chance of qualifying through to the super 6s.
South Africa won the toss, batted first and started to put together a solid foundation for a huge total. At the 10 over mark they were going close to 10 runs an over and a 200+ total was on the cards with only a few wickets lost and the deepest batting order in the tourney. Gibbs starred with a classy half century. The last 10 overs didn't produce as many as SAF would've hoped and between a dangerous Clark and a miserly Johnson, they managed 148 from their 20 overs - a competitive total nonetheless, and a huge improvement from their earlier outings in the tourney.
The Aussies started cautiously against the wily Springbok seamers, intent not to lose early wickets even if it meant a slow start. Johnson (sent opening) and North (1 drop) opened their shoulders with the introduction of spin and continued to milk the seamers at the other end, easing the required run rate a bit. Though North and Johnson both departed with the score at around a 100, White's whirlwind 24 from 8 balls saw the Aussies home with enough to spare.
