Rookie Aussie bowler takes four wickets off South Africa in smashing T20 debut

Tanveer Sangha received a late call-up for his international T20 debut in Durban, South Africa but this did not deter the rookie Aussie spinner from playing out of his boots come crunch time.

Sangha was rushed in to replace Adam Zampa who made a late withdrawal due to illness. He was one of four debutants to make their appearance in South Africa.

Debutants, we’ve got a few!

Try and wipe the smile off the faces of Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha and Matt Short #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/O3mUhp2yy9

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 30, 2023

In a stunning display of steely nerves, Sangha delivered a “brilliant” performance according to new Australian captain Mitch Marsh. Taking four wickets, including two in two balls, Sangha helped with the visiting side’s record 111-run victory over the South Africans, bettering their 107-run 2020 win in Johannesburg.

An emphatic start to our men’s T20 tour of South Africa.

Mitch Marsh (92no), Tim David (64) and Tanveer Sangha (4-31) the stars of the show as we take a 1-0 series lead #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/eQPfD0yNqI

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 30, 2023

Their total was also the biggest for a T20 international at Kingsmead, beating the 4-218 posted by England against South Africa in 2020.

Cricket fans were quick to applaud the Aussies commending the side for their depth and talent.

Aussie were without some of their main players
1- Warner
2- smith
3- maxwell
4- starc
5- hazlewood
6-Cummins
7- Green
And still so dominating performance means we have really good depth of squad,, amazing talent,, future is really in safe hands,, congrats to captain marsh????

— Yᴀsɪʀ ᴋʜᴀɴ ???????????? (@Yasir09_Gunner) August 30, 2023

Pure domination ????

— bdcrictime.com (@BDCricTime) August 30, 2023

Michael Marsh Superb

— SB (@Soumya260290) August 30, 2023

Superb! The only concern is Stoinis’s batting. He’s been poor with the bat for a very long time now. I don’t think he should bat in the ODI WC.

— Rohan (@MyChess2) August 30, 2023

Bowling opened with Stoinis where the allrounder snared the scalp of Temba Bavuma in an over that cost just one run. Sangha entered the fray in the seventh over with South Africa at 2-53. He took his maiden T20 scalp on his sixth ball when Aiden Markram struck him straight to backward point.

When Sangha went on to send Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs packing in consecutive deliveries in the eighth over, it was all over for the South Africans.

Not to be outdone by the newcomer, Marsh thumped an unbeaten 92 off 49 balls and Tim David (64 off 28 balls) also joined in on the fun on Wednesday night. March, who also scooped the player of the match told the post-game broadcast, “It’s always nice to start a three-match series with a win, and my job is to score runs, so it was nice to get a couple.”

“I thought Tim David was fantastic, the way he batted took the pressure off me,” he said.

“It was a really good partnership, and he batted beautifully.”

About young Sangha he said, “He’s a fantastic young talent. To come in and do that, he’s got great character, and he’s going to fit right into international cricket.”

Australia entered the series without Pat Cummins (wrist), Mitchell Starc (groin), Steve Smith (wrist), Glenn Maxwell (ankle), Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and David Warner who were given extra time to recover from their respective injuries as the squad ramps up preparations ahead of October’s ODI World Cup in India.

Australia will face off against South Africa again on September 2 at Kingsmead in Durban.