4 Finds for South Africa in the 1st T20

The 1st T20 turned out to be a run feast at the Bull Ring as close to 380 runs were scored in 40 overs of play. The hosts had major injury concerns with some front line players missing out, and they didn't want to risk them as they are scheduled to play Australia in near future.

Though the Proteas lost the game by a fair margin, the new faces didn't disappoint too much considering the way the visitors have dominated so far in the tour. Most of the bowlers went the distance at the high veld, and even the experienced of bowlers struggled to keep the runs down.

The new look South African side without the likes of AB de Villiers and Faf Du Plessis were not expected to put up a fight, but the youngsters didn't do too badly and showed that they have a lot of potential and hunger to perform.

With the likes of Morkel, Amla and Dale Steyn coming towards the end of their career, it's important that the hosts give a lot of chances to the youngsters and give them ample opportunities to make a mark in the international arena.

Here are four finds for South Africa in the first T20:

#4. Dane Paterson

Paterson was impressive at the death

The 21-year-old fast bowler is a regular in the Cape Cobras line up, and can rattle quite a few with his pace. Though he went for 12 runs an over, he executed the yorkers quite well towards the death, and ensured that the likes of Hardik and Manish doesn't get any of the deliveries in their slogging arc.

His figures might not reveal the way he contributed towards the death, but he bowled with some raw pace and executed the yorkers well. With the hosts having issues with their death bowling he might fit well in that slot.

#3. Junior Dala

Dala picked two important wickets

The 28-year-old right-arm fast bowler plays for the Titans in domestic cricket, and made his debut at the Bull Ring. He started off quite well picking up two crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina. He consistently bowled some short-pitched stuff and made sure that both the batsmen played one shot too many, and helped his side make some sort of a come back after a disastrous start.

The way he bowled in his debut he can prove to be a good asset in future as he is someone who can push the batsmen on to the back foot quite often. He bowls a heavy ball and can make the batsman smell the leather on a regular basis.

#2. JJ Smuts

Smuts can be an asset with his all-round capabilities

The 29-year-old can prove to be a handy all-rounder as he is a hard hitter of the cricket ball and can hit the ball quite a distance. He can also chip in with a few quite overs in the middle of a T20 game without giving the batsmen an opportunity to free his arms.

He didn't play a long innings with the bat at the Bull Ring, getting just 14 of 9 balls, but bowled two crucial overs in the middle and made sure the likes of Dhawan and Virat were quiet for a while, and helped the hosts regain a bit of sanity in the middle overs.

With the hosts having issues regarding lack of all-rounders, he can well resolve their problem in the shorter format of the game.

#1. Reeza Hendricks

Hendricks' heroics could not save South Africa

The 28-year-old opening batsman has been a part of South Africa A side for a while, and he turned out to be the biggest positive for the hosts in the first T20. He played a brilliant knock of 70 off just 50 balls, and had kept the hosts in the hunt for a long time. He ensured that the hosts were in with a chance to chase down the mammoth total of 205.

He played some good shots when the ball was new and hard, and he didn't look too bad against spin either, and played Chahal quite well. With concerns over Amla's poor run with the bat he can prove to be a good replacement at the top of the order as he can give a brisk start.