Any Australia-South Africa game is a lip-smacking prospect for any cricket fan across the globe. The two nations, over the last decade, have played the finest and most entertaining games in all the three formats of the game.
The stage was set at Harare for the two to prove a point at a neutral venue as the fans waited in excitement.
Every time the two meet, there is one special performance that stays in the memories, but today was a little different.
Today, there were three special performances, each from batsmen that lit up the contest..
Aaron Finch
Flat track or not, ask any contemporary batsman in the world, playing Dale Steyn and Mornie Morkel is always a tough task. But there was one man who was ready for the challenge and did announce his intentions in style. Aaron Finch played a gutsy shot of the first over and never looked back.
He held the innings together while wickets fell around him and eventually was dismissed in the 40th over for 102 of 116. At that point, it looked like he had played the match-winning knock.
If only he knew…
Faf du Plessis
Du Plessis reached his maiden ODI ton with a run-a-ball innings. Coming in to bat after the loss of two quick wickets at 51-2, he showed extreme composure initially before cutting loose and sending deliveries to all parts of the park.
He would have loved to finish off the game, but unfortunately for him, he fell soon after reaching the landmark.
AB De Villiers
On a day when there have been two special performances, to rise up and be the best is a challenge and if there’s one player who is capable of taking it on, it is A B de Villiers. Unbeaten at 136 of just 103 deliveries, it was a typical De Villiers innings that saw the Proteas through in a tough match.
Being involved in a partnership with Du Plessis, he took the responsibility of the one taking the risks and he did it well. With 11 fours and two massive sixers, he also took home the man of the match award.
As ever, tweeters were quick to share their delight having watched the three performances…