Brad Hodge
Über cool Brad Hodge placed two consecutive sixes to win the second T20 match against South Africa Reuters

In the second T20 match held at Durban, Australia beat South Africa by five wickets.

A super-fine knock from Brian Hodge and a mighty innings from David Warner helped the tourist team to secure the game.

With constant rain jeopardising the play, the second match, which was supposed to start at 3 am AEDT, started after two and half hours. The game was reduced to seven overs for each side.

Hodge showed a perfect example of T20 cricket scoring 21 runs in just 12 deliveries. In the last over, Hodge put two consecutive sixes, snatching the game from the home team.

South Africa batted first and made an impressive 80 runs with the loss of 1 wicket. Quinton de Kock put a solid knock of 41 runs in just 20 deliveries, while Francois du Plessis scored 27 runs from 13 deliveries.

With Australia coming to bat, Aaron Finch was dismissed at an early stage on 5 runs. David Warner was going steady on 40 runs when he was lbw'd by Jean-Paul Duminy. With the fall of Finch, four more quick wickets had fallen down, leaving Australia desperate to get back to the game.

Hodge, batting at No. 6, came over at a crucial juncture when Australia need 15 runs to win. However, with two consecutive sixes, the visitors secured their position to win the match.

Later, Hodge said, "I had to get the ball over the fence a couple of times to win the game."

"Anytime when you get to put yourself under pressure, it's good."

Hodge was given the man of the match award.

"That's my role. I'm just here to complement those guys up the top, use my experience and it all worked out in my favour today."

"Hopefully I can keep doing it." The fact Hodge (21 not out) and Brad Haddin (four not out) - both quite capable of clearing the rope - were the men in the middle at the death gives a fair indication of how strong Australia's batting order is."

He further stated: "The hits just keep on coming,"

South Africa's coach Russel Domingo admired Hodge's batting and stated, "We've seen him win numerous games in the IPL for a good number of years now,"

"We know he's an outstanding finisher and very calm under pressure. That's why he's back in the Australian side.

"We knew he was the guy that we probably needed to stop in the last few overs."

The third and final game is scheduled at Centurion on Friday.