DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) – David Miller hit an unbeaten half-century as South Africa beat Australia by three wickets in the first Twenty20 international at Kingsmead yesterday.

Miller hit 53 not out off 35 balls to enable South Africa to overhaul Australia’s total of 157 for nine with four balls to spare.

The hosts were in trouble at 95 for six but the left-handed Miller, playing on his home ground, steered them to victory with sensible batting interspersed with some powerful hits.

The key over was the 16th, which started with South Africa needing 45 runs off 30 balls. Miller hit two big sixes as Andrew Tye conceded 16 runs.

He hit an even bigger six off John Hastings in the 18th over, with the ball sailing out of the ground over square leg, as the target shrunk rapidly.

Australia made a fast start after winning the toss, racing to 69 for one in the six-over power play, with Aaron Finch pounding 40 off 27 balls.

He hit four sixes, three of them off the first three balls bowled by off-spinner JP Duminy, who was surprisingly brought on during the power play.

But the tourists lost their way against the medium-pace of David Wiese (two for 16) and the leg-spin of Imran Tahir (three for 21), slumping to 114 for seven.

Mitchell Marsh gave the innings late impetus, hitting 35 off 25 balls.

South Africa made a bad start, losing AB de Villiers to the first ball. They slipped to 41 for three before captain Faf du Plessis (40) and Rilee Rossouw (19) put on 31 for the fourth wicket.

They were out off successive deliveries before man of the match Miller took charge.

“He played a gem of an innings,” said Australian captain Steve Smith, who said Australia had put in a good performance in the field before Miller took the game away from them.

“Once again we won a game we probably shouldn’t have won,” said Du Plessis, who said South Africa had started badly with both ball and bat.

“But to win games like that makes me very happy. It shows a lot of character.”

The three-match series is the last chance for both teams to decide on their combinations ahead of the World Twenty20 in India later this month.

Australia included two players making their Twenty20 international debuts — wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

South Africa surprisingly did not include fast bowler Dale Steyn, who was declared fit again after being out of action for more than two months with a shoulder injury.