Australia opener Aaron Finch urged his fellow batsmen to lose their "ego" as they look ahead to their second Twenty20 against South Africa. South Africa claimed a three-wicket win on Friday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the teams heading to Johannesburg for game two.
The tourist had made 157 for 9 in Durban, but David Miller (53 off 35) led South Africa in their chase as it reached its target with four balls to spare. Finch said there was plenty for Australia to learn from its defeat, particularly in terms of its approach with the bat.
"A lot to learn with the bat again through the middle overs," he said. "I think there was some times when our ego probably took over a little bit. When you're playing against a quality spinner on a wicket that's assisting him, we probably had to play a little bit smarter, myself included.
"If I hit that full toss for six it could be a different scenario, you get Imran [Tahir] on the back foot, but we know once he gets his tail up and he's got some new batters to bowl to, he's a hell of a bowler and someone whose tough to get away."
Worrying run
Tahir took 3 for 21 off his four overs, while David Wiese (2 for 16) and Kagiso Rabada (2 for 26) also impressed with the ball for South Africa.
Australia experimented ahead of the ICC World Twenty20, with David Warner – who made 20 – batting at number three. Usman Khawaja opened with Finch, while Mitchell Marsh's 25-ball 35 was also crucial at number six.
Australia has lost its past five Twenty20s, a worrying run of form ahead of the showpiece tournament in India. And the latest defeat came after South Africa decided against including star paceman Dale Steyn, who is fit again.
For the host, the victory extended its unbeaten run in T20s to six – and it will be out to build on that in Johannesburg.
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