Cape Town – Australia have clinched the three-match T20 series with a win over the Proteas in the third and final T20 at Newlands on Wednesday.

As it happened | Proteas v Australia, 3rd T20I

The visitors clinched the series 2-1, winning by 97 runs as the Proteas were dismissed for 96 in 15.3 overs.

The Proteas bowling attack was poor from the start as Australian openers David Warner and Aaron Finch capitalised by dispatching them to all parts of the ground.

Warner and Finch set up a 120-run first-wicket partnership as the South African bowlers struggled with their line and length.

Anrich Nortje eventually got the much-needed breakthrough for the Proteas as Warner departed for 57 off 37 deliveries.

Australian skipper Finch fell shortly thereafter as he was trapped LBW by Tabraiz Shamsi for 55 from 37.

Shamsi turned out to be the most economical South African bowler for the night, ending with 1 for 25.

Lungi Ngidi sent Matthew Wade (10) back to the change room, while Mitchell Marsh could only contribute 19 before falling to Dwaine Pretorius.

Former captain Steve Smith returned to Cape Town in style as he smashed a quick-fire 30 off 15 deliveries.

In the 19th over, Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada bowled Smith with a full and straight delivery but unfortunately, a replay showed that the delivery was a no-ball.

Rabada did manage the wicket of Alex Carey for 7 as Australia ended on 193/5. South Africa bowled 14 extras, which included 8 wides and 1 no ball.

The Proteas desperately needed match-winning contributions from their top order. Unfortunately for South African fans, Mitchell Starc took the all-important wicket of skipper Quinton de Kock (5) in the first over and then followed that up with that of Faf du Plessis (5).

Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen provided some stability with a 34 run partnership until Klaasen was bowled by Adam Zampa for 22.

Van der Dussen was the top-scorer for the Proteas with 24 off his 19 balls.

Ashton Agar was the pick of the Australian bowlers as he took 3 for 16 in his four overs as the Proteas continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Scores in brief:

Australia 193/5 (Warner 57, Shamsi 1/25)

South Africa 96 in 15.3 overs (Van der Dussen 24, Agar 3/16)

Result: Australia win by 97 runs