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'Gajab batting kia hain'- Fans react as Australia beat South Africa by 111 runs in first T20I

Australia beat South Africa by 111 runs in the first T20I at the Kingsmead, Durban on Wednesday, August 30.

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Rohit Kumar
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Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh (Source- Twitter)

Australia beat South Africa by 111 runs in the first T20I at the Kingsmead, Durban on Wednesday, August 30. They took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after posting a mammoth total of 226 runs. Mitchell Marsh began his captaincy era in Australian colors with a bang.

The Aussies posted their highest T20I score against South Africa and sixth highest in the format. The South Africans were bundled out to 115 runs in a reply. The pitch meant the score was chaseable but South Africa was never in the hunt to chase the score.

Mitchell Marsh leading from the front

South African skipper Aiden Markram elected to field first. Batting first Mitchell Marsh, in his first game as Australia captain, led from the front with a career-best score of 92 runs off 49 balls. He was unbeaten till the end of the first innings. The all-rounder walked out at number 3 after the wicket of Travis Head's wicket and wasted no time in asserting himself at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

He blasted a half-century off a mere 22 deliveries. Tim David came into bat when Australia lost two quick wickets. He kept the charge going and scored 64 runs off just 28 deliveries, which included seven fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 228.57. Australia broke India's long-standing record of close to sixteen years by amassing the highest score in T20Is at Kingsmead, finishing on 226/6.

In reply opener Reeza Hendricks led a near-lone challenge to Australia’s total with a well-constructed 56 from 43 balls, as the home side was pegged back by an excellent spell of 4-31 from debutant leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha. Marcus Stoinis picked up 3-18 in a fine display of swing bowling.

Mitch Marsh was named the man of the match after his fine display of batting. He said, "Always nice to start a three-match series win a win and to score runs. I mean there's a long process with injury and proud to be back and playing for Australia. Nice to contribute for the team. I thought Tim David was fantastic and the way he took pressure off me. I was playing a lot of Test cricket and missed my swing towards the end. Sangha has done well in the Big Bash and he's a fantastic talent."

Here's how fans reacted: 

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