Watson’s all-round show gives Australia easy win

 Reuters: Shane Watson continued his impressive form with both bat and ball as Australia cruised to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against South Africa in their Super Eight match in the World Twenty20 on Sunday.

Watson picked up two wickets for 29 with the ball and then cracked 70 off just 47 balls for his fourth consecutive man-of-the-match award in as many matches in the tournament.

Chasing 147 for victory, Australia lost opener David Warner early but W atson s nubbed South Africa’s hopes of victory with a 99-run stand for the second wicket with left-hander Mike Hussey (45 not out).

The all-rounder, who is now both the highest scorer and wicket-taker in the tournament, hit eight boundaries and two massive sixes du ring his knock before he was out caught by Wayne Parnell off left-arm spinner Robin Peterson.

Peterson was unlucky when Parnell dropped a difficult catch off his bowling to dismiss Watson when he was on 52. Captain and wicketkeeper AB de Villiers also missed a stumping chance to dismiss Hussey off the same bowler.

Australia’s l eft - arm spinner Xavier Doh e rty , playing his first match of the tournament, picked up three wickets for 20 to pu t South Africa on the backfoot after Australia ha d op ted to field first.

Doherty dismissed opener Richard Levi and Jacques Kallis in his first two overs and later took the wicket of Jean-Paul Duminy (30) as South Africa struggled for momentum.

Peterson (32 not out) and Farhaan Behardien (31 not out) added 60 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket to h elp t heir team r e ach 14 6 for five. Australia have now won both their Super Eight games while South Africa a re on the brink of elimination h avi ng lost both their matches. (Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)