Smith hails bowlers after South Africa win

Australia captain Steve Smith lauded Adam Zampa and his team's bowlers after their win over South Africa.

Published : Jun 12, 2016 13:03 IST , St. Kitts

Australia are top of the tri-series table on nine points after their 36-run victory over South Africa on Saturday.
Australia are top of the tri-series table on nine points after their 36-run victory over South Africa on Saturday.
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Australia are top of the tri-series table on nine points after their 36-run victory over South Africa on Saturday.

Australia captain Steve Smith lauded Adam Zampa and his team's bowlers after their win over South Africa.

Smith's men are top of the tri-series table on nine points after their 36-run victory over South Africa on Saturday.

David Warner (109) guided Australia to 288-6 in Basseterre before a dramatic fight back when defending the total.

South Africa were 210-3 in their chase before an incredible collapse saw them bowled out for 252 in the 48th over.

Mitchell Starc (3-43), Josh Hazlewood (3-52) and Adam Zampa (3-52) were the main destroyers.

Smith was full of praise for his bowling group as a whole, with leg-spinner Zampa drawing particular plaudits

"It's always hard to start against a ball that's reversing when you've got someone like Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood coming in at you," Smith said, via ESPNCricinfo.

"I thought those guys did a terrific job when the ball started to go. I think we got five wickets in six overs at one point and that obviously turned the game.

"[Zampa] was good. I put him under a bit of pressure at the end there as well. I bowled him a few overs where they could have hit a few to these small straight boundaries.

"But he held his nerve nicely. He changed his pace, mixed it up, bowled some googlies and he's come a long way."

Australia's next outing is a clash against West Indies on Monday, with the hosts bottom of the table.

The biggest concern for Smith is a finger injury to Warner, who hurt himself in the field against South Africa.

The explosive left-handed opener expects to be fit, but more is expected to be known on Sunday.

The Windies were last in action on June 5, when they suffered a comprehensive six-wicket loss to Australia.

Sunil Narine has been the standout bowler in the tri-series, taking eight wickets at an average of 7.87.

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