CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – Australia were too   sharp for rusty South Africa as the touring side won the first  Twenty20 international by five wickets with three balls to spare  yesterday.

South Africa, playing their first match in seven months,  struggled to 146 for seven thanks to JP Duminy’s brilliant 67,  but Shane Watson’s 52 off 39 balls laid the platform for a  comfortable run chase by the Australians.

Watson’s tremendous driving and ruthless punishment of the  short ball brought him six fours and two sixes and he added 82  runs off 54 balls with Shaun Marsh for the second wicket.

Cameron White (28) and David Hussey (25) then added 40 in  5.5 overs to take Australia to the brink of victory.

Duminy’s 67 off 53 balls, including six fours and three  sixes, was a fine effort which brought South Africa back into  the game after the Australian bowlers had made a very good  start.

The left-hander’s innings was his usual mix of classical  strokeplay and sweet timing, and Duminy was helped by muscular  knocks by Colin Ingram (33) and David Miller (20).

South Africa could have posted an even more testing score  but for a superb 19th over from debutant Pat Cummins, who took  three wickets and conceded just six runs.

He finished with three for 25 in four overs, receiving good  support from Doug Bollinger (4-0-23-1) and the admirable Watson  (4-0-26-1).