Aussie attack out of balance, says Rhodes

Defeat to South Africa in the opening T20 international on Durban on Saturday morning was Australia's fifth consecutive loss in the format, stretching back to November 2014.

It is the fourth time Australia have lost five T20 internationals in a row, but the side has never lost six consecutive matches, an unwanted slice of history they will be desperate to avoid in Sunday night's rematch in Johannesburg.

And Steve Smith's side has been backed from an unexpected quarter, with one of the game's greatest limited-overs fielders Jonty Rhodes tipping the Aussies to fight back hard at the Wanderers.

"Certainly they are still creating moments in matches," Rhodes told Crocmedia.

"They made a lot of runs against India and even today they had South Africa 6-95 but just couldn't keep the pressure on for long enough."

Nathan Coulter-Nile lead the Australian attack admirably, removing the dangerous AB de Villiers with the first ball of the innings and finished with 3-29, but Australia lost their way in the 16th over when David Miller took 16 runs off AJ Tye.

Rhodes said he believes the Australians have struggled to get the bowling balance right on the back of several key injuries.

"They've been quite unlucky with Mitchell Starc going out of that side at such an important time," Rhodes said, who also lamented the absence of Pat Cummins (back) and James Pattinson (shins).

"James Faulkner is also a very good death bowler and it's those later overs where the pressure came off South Africa a bit.

Faulkner is expected to feature in the next two matches, along with allrounder Shane Watson and pace bowler Josh Hazlewood who were all rested from the opening match of the three-game series.

Another one who is likely to feature in the next two matches is uncapped spinner Ashton Agar, although Rhodes said Australia had erred by overlooking Test tweaker Nathan Lyon.

"Without being too critical (Australia) probably lack a stand-out spinner for this format," Rhodes said.

"They may struggle on the subcontinent as a result of that and I'm very surprised Nathan Lyon isn't strongly in the mix.

"(Adam) Zampa and (Glenn) Maxwell are a solid combination but I'm not sure they will ask enough questions of the top Indian batsman for example."

Australia face South Africa in the second T20 clash in Johannesburg on Sunday evening before the series moves to Cape Town.