Cricket Australia XI defeat South Africa

Sydney, Nov 2 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) XI defeated South Africa by 22 runs in a Twenty20 tour match at the North Sydney Oval here on Sunday.

After being sent in to bat, CA XI put on 189/5 from their 20 overs which South Africa failed to chase down, finishing at 167 all out in the 19th over.

CA XI captain Ashton Turner anchored his side's innings with an impressive knock of 73 which included seven fours and three sixes. Seb Gotch hit a quick-fire 40 from 25 while Alexander Keath (30) and James Peirson (24) also contributed at the top of the order. Kyle Abbott was the pick of the South African bowlers, finishing with 2/22.

In reply, batting at No.3, South Africa's Rilee Russouw found the boundary with ease, notching up four fours and three sixes in his innings of 47 before he was trapped leg before wicket by Turner (2/21).

Wayne Parnell (35) and Reeza Hendricks (22) provided handy contributions to their side's total, but it was not enough to secure the win. Ben Ashkenazi (3/21) and James Muirhead (3/25) led the CA XI bowling attack, finishing with three scalps each.

Brief scores: Cricket Australia XI 189/5 in 20 overs (Ashton Turner 73, Seb Gotch 40; Kyle Abbot 2/22) defeated South Africa 167 all out in 18.5 overs (Rilee Rossouw 47, Wayne Parnell 35; Ben Ashkenazi 3/21, James Muirhead 3/25).