South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first vs Australia
Reeza Hendricks was recalled to South Africa’s T20I squad on Sunday morning and named to open the batting against Australia on a surface unlike any other Quinton de Kock has seen in Port Elizabeth. Described as subcontinental in appearance, the surface appeared fairly bare.
Hendricks was initially not in the 15-man group but Temba Bavuma is still battling with a hamstring injury and has not recovered in time for a must-win match, forcing South Africa to pick another specialist opener.
That means Rassie van der Dussen moves down the order and will bat at No. 4, and displaces Jon-Jon Smuts from the playing XI at his home ground. Smuts was a last-minute replacement for Heinrich Klaasen in Johannesburg after the latter suffered a hip injury, which has sidelined him again. Pite van Biljon, who made his debut in that match, has been given another opportunity.
South Africa also made a third change to their team, with Dale Steyn making room for Anrich Nortje. While the swap is likely to have been technical, and part of a horses for courses approach with St George’s Park being Nortje home patch, Steyn was seen grimacing as he touched his shoulder after three overs on Friday night, but when on to complete his spell.
Australia won’t complain about not facing South Africa’s most experienced quick and looked to seal the series with an unchanged side.
South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (capt, wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Pite van Biljon, 6 David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Anrich Nortje 10 Lungi Ngidi 11 Tabraiz Shamsi
Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch (capt), 3 Steven Smith, 4 Matt Wade, 5 Mitchell Marsh, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Ashton Agar, 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Kane Richardson
Source: ESPN Crickinfo