Australia vs South Africa T20I Series: Hosts Hold Nerve to Extend Record
Australia 178 (David 83, Maphaka 4/20) beat South Africa 161/9 (Rickelton 71, Dwarshuis 3/26, Hazlewood 3/27) by 17 runs
Australia pulled off their lowest successful T20I defence against South Africa, winning by 17 runs in Darwin and stretching their winning streak in the format to a record nine games.
Australia’s innings, after a flying start, wobbled to 75 for 6 in the eighth over. However, Tim David’s magnificent 83 off 52 balls that featured eight towering sixes, rescued the innings. His 59-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis proved decisive and took Australia to 178. Skipper Mitchell Marsh—now with 22 wins in 25 matches—continued his stellar run as T20I captain.
South Africa were guilty of letting the game slip, dropping four catches, including a crucial one when David was on 56. South Africa’s 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka took 4/20 that made him the youngest bowler from a full member nation to claim a T20I four-for. Australia were bowled out for the first time in 26 T20I games.
South Africa’s chase lacked the firepower to match Australia’s 13 sixes, managing only two of their own. Ryan Rickelton’s 71 anchored the innings, sharing a 72-run stand with Tristan Stubbs. However, once Josh Hazlewood broke the partnership and removed George Linde, the target drifted out of reach. Hazlewood and Dwarshuis both claimed three wickets apiece. Adam Zampa’s double strike, meanwhile, triggered a collapse of four wickets for just three runs.
Rickelton fought till the final over but Glenn Maxwell’s stunning boundary catch sealed South Africa’s fate at 161 for 9. The visitors were 17 runs short of victory.
Pic: Outlook India
