LANGER DELIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA’S PAIN
AFTER a disappointing winter on the T20I stage, the Aussies finally had reason to cheer on Saturday night (AEDT), after polishing off a disappointing South African outfit in their first match of the T20 World Cup.
Justin Langer copped plenty of criticism for Australia’s underwhelming tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh this year, and when the cards finally began falling in his side’s favour on the world stage, he couldn’t hide his delight.
The Aussies smelt victory at the innings break after South Africa limped to a modest total of 118 runs.
At best, the South Africans were underwhelming, and at worst, they were downright comical.
One such comical moment came in the 15th over, when the Proteas had lost six wickets for only 83 runs.
South African spinner Keshav Maharaj hit a Pat Cummins delivery to point and when Australia overthrew to the nonstrikers’ end, Maharaj thought he could get away with a quick single.
Unfortunately, his batting partner, Aiden Markram, had his back turned and didn’t know what Maharaj was up to.
By the time Maharaj realised the single wasn’t on, Glenn Maxwell had retrieved the ball and thrown to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.
Maharaj would’ve impressed The Three Stooges with the pratfall he pulled off as he attempted to run back to the crease, and by the time he picked up steam again, Wade had claimed his wicket.
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. That’s another one down,” commentator Sunil Gavaskar said of the chaotic scenes.
“When things go bad, they can get really bad.”
After a difficult run of series losses in the short form of the game, Langer couldn’t help but revel in the run out.
Despite some impressive catches in the deep from the South Africans, Australia managed to surpass their total in the final over of the efforts, thanks largely to the efforts of Marcus Stoinis.
The Aussie all-rounder wasn’t called on to bowl during the first innings, but he more than earned his match fee with an unbeaten 24, including three boundaries, that saw his side home.