As South Africa scorched Australia for a series-opening Twenty20 triumph, captain Aaron Finch was almost singed – literally.
The Proteas banked a seven-wicket victory on Wednesday night, cruising to their 145-run target with an over to spare at Adelaide Oval.
The tourists (3-145) reeled in Australia’s middling 6-144, underpinned by Shane Watson’s classy 47 in his first international outing in seven months, to take a one-nil lead in the three-game series.
Finch had more than South African batsmen and loose Australian bowling to worry about.
In the fourth over, the T20 skipper chased a teasing Quenton de Kock drive which beat him over the boundary.
As the skipper went to retrieve the ball, a burst of colourful flames two metres behind the boundary went off – as they had all match to herald a big hit.
Finch understandably cowered, quickly hunched and took a backward step before mouthing an obscenity and picking up the ball.
The incident summed up the match for Finch and his Australians – close to a disaster.
Australia’s batting innings was rescued by Watson, who top-scored in his comeback from ankle and calf injuries, and allrounder James Faulkner (41 not out).
After the hosts limped to 4-67 after 10 overs with both their debutants – Ben Dunk (two) and Nathan Reardon (four) failing – Watson and Faulkner offered steadying hands.
The pair put on a half-century partnership from 35 balls, with Watson clubbing three sixes and Faulkner getting close to lifting Australia to a competitive total.
But on a true batting deck before 26,370 spectators, South Africa’s supposedly second-stringers cantered past the post.
After quick Doug Bollinger took a third-ball wicket, the Proteas unveiled an axeman, Rilee Rossouw, who chopped down the Australian bowlers.
Rossouw, making his T20 international debut, plundered a half-century from just 32 balls.
The 25-year-old finished with 78 from 50 balls, striking three sixes and seven fours in a match-defining knock.
Rossouw put on 129 runs in 14.3 overs with De Kock, who played second fiddle with a composed 46 from 39 balls to leave Finch plenty to ponder before game two in Melbourne on Friday.