Rilee Rossouw helps South Africa to T20 win over Australia

As South Africa scorched Australia for a series-opening Twenty20 triumph, captain Aaron Finch was almost singed - literally.

The Proteas secured a seven-wicket victory on Wednesday night, cruising to their 145-run target with an over to spare at Adelaide Oval. The tourists (3-145) reeled in Australia’s middling 6-144, underpinned by Shane Watson’s classy 47 in his first international outing in seven months, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.

Finch had more than South African batsmen and loose Australian bowling to worry about. In the fourth over, the T20 skipper chased a teasing Quenton de Kock drive which beat him over the boundary. As the skipper went to retrieve the ball, a burst of colourful flames two metres behind the boundary went off – as they had all match to herald a big hit. Finch understandably cowered, quickly hunched and took a backward step before mouthing an obscenity and picking up the ball.

“I sort of stood off, waiting for them to go off,” he said. “And when they didn’t [I thought] they must have pulled the pin on them for that time – and then bang. It was a shock, I can tell you. I’m sure it could be quite dangerous.”

The incident summed up the match for Finch and his Australians – close to a disaster. Australia’s batting innings was rescued by Watson, who top-scored in his comeback from ankle and calf injuries, and all-rounder James Faulkner (41 not out). After the hosts limped to 4-67 after 10 overs with both their debutants – Ben Dunk (two) and Nathan Reardon (four) failing – Watson and Faulkner offered steadying hands. The pair put on a half-century partnership from 35 balls, with Watson clubbing three sixes and Faulkner getting close to lifting Australia to a competitive total.

But on a true batting deck before 26,370 spectators, South Africa’s supposedly second-stringers cantered past the post. After quick Doug Bollinger took a third-ball wicket, the Proteas’ Rilee Rossouw did the damage. Rossouw, making his T20 international debut, plundered a half-century from just 32 balls. The 25-year-old finished with 78 from 50 balls, striking three sixes and seven fours. Rossouw put on 129 runs in 14.3 overs with De Kock, who played second fiddle with a composed 46 from 39 balls to leave Finch plenty to ponder before game two in Melbourne on Friday.