SA, Aussies endure Port Elizabeth washout
Rain delayed the start of Sunday's first Twenty20 International between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.
Rain resigned Sunday's first Twenty20 International between South Africa and Australia to a complete washout at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.
The series opener was scheduled to start at 14:30 local time (12:30 GMT). Consistent showers across the Eastern Cape region, however, saw umpires Johan Cloete and Adrian Holdstock eventually declare a no-result at 15:47 local time (13:47 GMT).
Both teams are eager for valuable match practice ahead of the World Twenty20, which will get underway in Bangladesh next week. The Proteas have recalled Albie Morkel and handed a maiden call-up to left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks.
The Aussies, meanwhile, named the 43-year-old Brad Hogg and 39-year-old Brad Hodge – and young leg-spinner James Muirhead – in a strong 15-man squad led by the in-form George Bailey. The second Twenty20 International will get underway at Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday, while Centurion will host the third and final match on Friday.
The South Africans have been grouped with England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and a qualifying team at the World Twenty20, while the Australians have been pooled with India, Pakistan, West Indies and a qualifying nation.
<b>South Africa squad:</b> Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quniton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
<b>Australia squad:</b> George Bailey (captain), Dan Christian, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
Latest
-
NewsEngland warm-up under way in Sri Lanka
The touring squad has returned a second round of clear Covid-19 tests following Moeen Ali’s positive result.
-
NewsJack Leach awaiting Covid vaccine news after ‘scary’ vulnerable classification
The England spinner takes medication for Crohn’s disease, leaving his immune system weakened.
-
NewsJonny Bairstow ready to tap into Jacques Kallis class during Sri Lanka tour
The England batsman is enthused about working with the Proteas great.
-
NewsHeather Knight to lead England in ‘historic’ Pakistan tour
England Women will play two T20s and three ODIs in Karachi later this year.
-
NewsClaire Polosak makes history as first woman to officiate a men’s Test
Claire Polosak continues to blaze a trail for women in umpiring.
-
NewsPooran insists West Indies will be a T20 World Cup threat
You would be foolish to discount the West Indies in the short format despite their poor run of late.
-
NewsAndrew Balbirnie excited about Ireland’s year ahead
Ireland will play seven internationals in January, the same as the whole of 2020.
-
NewsZak Crawley out to prove he is no ‘one-hit wonder’ in Sri Lanka
The Kent batsman, 22, hit a magnificent 267 against Pakistan on his previous England appearance in August.
-
NewsEngland clear to train as players other than Moeen Ali test negative for Covid
Moeen tested positive on Monday and is self-isolating, but the latest round of testing produced no further positives.
-
NewsEngland clear to start training after players test negative for Covid-19
Moeen Ali tested positive on Monday and is self-isolating, but the latest round of testing produced no further positives.