Super 12 starts with low-scoring affairs

The first day of the opening Super 12 clash in the Twenty20 World Cup saw two contrasting matches - the first being a low-scoring thriller while the second was a one-sided canter yesterday.

Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade combined in a crucial 40-run stand to help Australia beat South Africa by five wickets in a low-scoring thriller in their opening clash.

Eoin Morgan's England signalled their title aspiration with a comfortable six-wicket victory against defending champions West Indies in the second low-scoring match.

Batting fireworks were expected in the repeat of the 2016 final but England made it a one-sided affair with their bowlers running amok at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Moeen Ali (2-17) wrecked the West Indies top order before Adil Rashid ran through rest of the line-up to skittle out the Caribbean side for a paltry 55 inside 15 overs.

England, bidding to become the first side to hold the 20-overs and 50-overs World Cup titles at the same time, chased down the target in 8.2 overs to begin their Super 12 campaign in style.

"It's as good as it gets. To start our campaign like that, all credit to our bowling unit," Morgan said. "I think Moeen read the conditions beautifully. He took chances when his match-up was in his favour, and to take his opportunity like he has ... was brilliant," he added.

Earlier, Stoinis and Wade held their nerve superbly during an unbroken sixth-wicket stand to take Australia past their 119-run target with the win coming with two balls remaining.

Replying to South Africa's total of 118 for nine, Australia lost three quick wickets at the top and found themselves under pressure against some accurate bowling.

But Stoinis hit 24 off 16 while Wade contributed 15 runs to shut out South Africa's chances.

"It was quite stressful. Obviously anytime you're chasing a total and it's coming down to the wire you're always going to be nervous," Australia captain Aaron Finch said.

"But Marcus Stoinis showed a really cool head there, Matty Wade did as well to get us over the line. I think that's what a little bit of experience can do at the backend of the innings."

Earlier, pace bowler Josh Hazlewood took 2-19 to help limit South Africa to 118-9 after the Aussies elected to bowl first.

"I think length was the key, hitting the right length, just on top of the stumps. Anything slightly short or fuller seemed easy, so length was key. The wicket seamed reasonably good, but it was a little bit stoppy, a little bit slow," said Hazlewood.