SA beat Australia in first Twenty20

JOHANNESBURG: Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher trumped a virtuoso performance by David Hussey as South Africa scrambled to a four-wicket win over Australia in the first Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium.

Hussey cracked an unbeaten 88 off only 44 balls and took two for 21 with his off-spinners to earn the man of the match award. But it was not enough to secure a win for his team in the opening encounter of a two-match series.

Morkel and Boucher added 58 off 33 balls to swing the momentum in South Africa's favour.

The big-hitting Morkel slammed 36 off 22 balls before he mis-hit Mitchell Johnson high to mid-off where David Hussey held a good catch.

South Africa still needed 26 off 17 balls but Boucher saw them home, finishing with 36 not out off 22 balls. Seven were needed off the final over, bowled by Brett Geeves, and Boucher hit the first two balls to the midwicket boundary to clinch victory with four balls to spare.