Shane Watson balzed his way to an unbeaten 61-ball 122 which laid the foundation for Australia Masters’ 137-run victory over South Africa Masters at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Friday.
Watson struck nine sixes and fours and combined with Callum Ferguson (85 off 43) to set up a mammoth 186-run opening-wicket partnership.
Alviro Petersen had Ferguson hole out to Jonty Rhodes but Ben Dunk following in at No. 3 cotinued in the same vein, with his 16-ball 34 powering Australia Masters to 260/1.
In response, South Africa Masters lost Henry Davids to Xavier Doherty in the second over. Hashim Amla fought through the PowerPlay, managing 30 off 19 delveries, but was accounted for by Ben Laughlin in the fifth over.
Richard Levi and Peterson got starts but failed to get their team up to speed with the mounting asking rate. An injury to captain Jacques Kallis did not help South Africa Masters’ cause either.
Laughlin ended with three wickets while Doherty and Bryce McGain shared two wickets apiece as South Africa folded for 123 in just 17 overs.