Watch: Drama unfolds in Durban after Marcus Stoinis gives salute send-off to Temba Bavuma, delivers direct message to Lizaad Williams

Australia's all-rounder Marcus Stoinis on August 30 (Wednesday) made headlines for two reasons - one bowling a spell with the new ball that was reminiscent of Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi and second for giving a dramatic send-off to Temba Bavuma - in the first T20I against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban.

SportsTak

• Thu • 31 Aug 2023

Australia's all-rounder Marcus Stoinis on August 30 (Wednesday) made headlines for two reasons - one bowling a spell with the new ball that was reminiscent of Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi and second for giving a dramatic send-off to Temba Bavuma - in the first T20I against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban. The incident unfolded on the fifth ball of South Africa's innings when Stoinis cleaned up Bavuma with a brilliant delivery.

Upon striking first blood, the right-arm seamer celebrated in an animated manner. After embracing his teammates for a brief moment, Stoinis separated himself from the pack and gave a salute as Bavuma took a long walk back to the pavilion.

The reason behind Stoinis' celebration was simple. When Lizaad Williams dismissed him earlier in the game, the Proteas bowler celebrated in a similar fashion.

Watch the video here:

Meanwhile, the Baggy Greens outmuscled the Proteas at Kingsmead, Durban and registered a resounding victory. Led by captain Mitchell Marsh and explosive batter Tim David's brutal strokes, the visitors began the tour in an emphatic manner as the hosts were blown to smithereens. As a result, Australia registered a mammoth 111-run win and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Marsh and Matthew Short bludgeoned the Proteas bowling attack with brut power and disdain. In just a blink of an eye, Australia raced to 69/1 in 4.4 overs. Australia suffered a mini-collapse after Short's dismissal, but two tall muscular batters dug their team out of a hole and powered them to a massive score. Marsh and David combined for a 97-run stand for the fifth wicket as the duo sent the ball racing to the fence or over it with ease.

David scored 64 runs off 28 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes while Marsh missed out on a century as the over ran out. The Aussie skipper remained unbeaten on 92 runs off 49 balls, powering 13 fours and two sixes in his attractive innings. Aaron Hardie's brief cameo of 23 runs off 14 balls took Australia's score to 226/6 in 20 overs.

South Africa's run chase never took off as their batting line-up capitulated under the pressure of a gigantic target. Apart from opener Reeza Hendricks, who scored 56 runs off 43 balls, none of the Proteas batters could make any impact. As a result, the hosts were bundled out for 115 runs in just 15.3 overs.