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Coulter-Nile keen to attack in T20s

Australia paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile says his plans for AB de Villiers and all batsmen in Twenty20 cricket are simple: bowl fast and hit the stumps.

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Source: AAP


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Nathan Coulter-Nile looms as Australia's enforcer at the Twenty20 World Cup, having fired out AB de Villiers for a golden duck in Durban.

Coulter-Nile cranked up the pace and grabbed three wickets in the opening clash of the three-match T20 series against South Africa.

The most prized scalp was that of de Villiers.

The 32-year-old superstar has played 106 Tests, 200 ODIs and 66 T20s for South Africa but only once before suffered the ignominy of a golden duck.

"I was a little bit nervous bowling to AB to be honest. If I can keep doing that I'll be happy," Coulter-Nile said.

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"I got a little bit lucky; he tried to play one down to third man and he just didn't quite get it.

"You get brought back to earth pretty quickly, I went for 10 the next over.

"T20s are up and down, you don't want to carried away when you're going poorly or too carried away when you're going well."

Coulter-Nile's haul was notable because he struck twice in his opening spell, something Australia struggled to do in three T20 home losses to India earlier this year.

It was also perfect preparation for the T20 World Cup in India, having come on a subcontinent-like pitch.

"My plans are pretty similar no matter where I'm playing ... try and bowl fast. Try and hit the stumps or hit the batsman," he said.

"It's really important (on those type of pitches) just to sum it up really early.

"We floated too many balls up (in Durban). We went for our yorkers too early."

Coulter-Nile, who has had a horror run with injuries throughout his career, was in doubt for the T20 World Cup because of a dislocated shoulder.

The 28-year-old admitted he was in pain the morning after the clash in Durban.

"Last night I thought 'jeez, four overs is all right'. I woke up this morning and struggled to get to the shower," he said.

"I'm just getting old. It's much better, four overs."

Aaron Finch paid tribute to his side's new-look attack, who reduced the Proteas to 6-95.

"Our last three (T20) games against India we struggled to get wickets at all. Let alone at the top of the innings," Finch said.

"To knock over a couple early was a real positive ... we'll take a real lot of confidence with the new-ball (wickets)."


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