Summary

  • Australia win with two balls to spare

  • Smith 35 (34), Stoinis 24* (16)

  • South Africa 118-9: Markram 40 (36)

  • Hazlewood 2-19, Zampa 2-21

  • First match of Super 12s, Group 1

  • Australia won toss, Abu Dhabi

  • England v W Indies, Dubai, 15:00 BST

Live Reporting

Kal Sajad

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  2. Stuart Law
    Former Australia batter on BBC Test Match Special

    Domestic cricket hasn't started in Australia yet and the players have had limited opportunities in the Indian Premier League.

    They've just got to get out there and perform on the day. Australia are very good at getting into these tournaments and performing. It is a must-win game, and if you win it sets you up.

  3. Carlos Brathwaite
    West Indies all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    You really don't know who is going to set the world alight. Teams like Sri Lanka, who have already played a couple of games, might come to the fore.

  4. BBC Test Match Special

    You'll be pleased to know you can listen to commentary of every ball of this tournament on Test Match Special.

    Tune in on your wireless or just clicking that little audio icon above to listen from this very page.

  5. There are plenty of stars in that Australia XI but something is not right for those in green and gold (canary yellow) in T20 cricket.

    They have lost 11 of their 15 T20s this year, including a recent 4-1 series defeat against Bangladesh.

    David Warner, a key man as ever, was unceremoniously dropped during the IPL and spent the tournament looking lonely in the stands.

  6. The teams

    Australia: Aaron Finch (Capt), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

    South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (Capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klassen, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

  7. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: "It's a big responsibility and I'm looking forward to it. I'm a bit nervous.

    "We definitely don't have the tag of favourites. Whether it helps - there are less eyes on it..."

  8. Australia captain Aaron Finch: "It looks like a really good wicket and we don't see it changing a great amount.

    "We've got a lot of experience, but we haven't been together as a wider group for quite a few series so we're excited to get together and get out there later.

    "People are fighting for positions and that is always great."

  9. Australia win the toss and bowl
    Breaking

    This opening match is coming from Abu Dhabi.

    Australia captain Aaron Finch has won the toss and fancies a bowl.

  10. Unfancied Australia and South Africa kick off Super 12s

    Aaron Finch and David WarnerGetty Images

    It's not often Australia and South Africa go into a global tournament not among the favourites.

    That's probably the situation this time, however, with South Africa ranked fifth and Australia seventh.

    But surely a team that features David Warner, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith is always in with a shout?

    And can you really discount this South Africa bowling attack?

    It should be a cracking start to the Super 12s.

  11. Roll up, roll up! It's T20 World Cup time.

    The first stage is complete and now the tournament really kicks into gear with 12 teams completing for glory.

    England begin their campaign later with a repeat of the 2016 final but first up is an intriguing match between two big name teams no-one is talking about...

    Aaron FinchGetty Images

  12. The first week of the Men's T20 World Cup has excited...

    ScotlandGetty Images

    Now the big boys arrive...

    Eoin MorganGetty Images

    This World Cup is go...