Australia vs South Africa always guarantees drama, and the decider of the SA vs AUS T20I series provided a heart-stopping thriller as Glenn Maxwell led Australia to a dramatic win with a match-winning 62* off 36 balls. Despite late drama from the bowling attack of South Africa, Maxwell’s pressure-handling ability guided the home team to chase 173 with one ball and two wickets to spare.
Maxwell Shines in Series Decider – The Big Show Returns
Returning to form after a year-long drought of a year in T20Is, Glenn Maxwell staged a vintage show. Walking in when Australia were tottering at 122/6 in the 14th over, Maxwell kept his cool and led the Aussies to their record highest successful T20I run chase at home.
With 12 runs required off the final 12 balls, Australia appeared to be in command, but the double-wicket maiden by Corbin Bosch in the 19th over turned the game on its head. But Maxwell secured the win with a four, a genius reverse shot, and brilliant strike rotation to wrap up the game off the penultimate ball.
South Africa’s Close Game Woes Continue
This defeat is another agonising loss for South Africa in T20I cricket. The Proteas have seen three defeats in finals during the last over: the 2024 T20 World Cup; the tri-series final against New Zealand in Zimbabwe. They had a fighting total, but not taking matches when it matters is an obvious concern.
Brevis and Stubbs Rebuild South Africa’s Innings
After a slow beginning from the top half of the batting order, Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs injected life into South Africa’s innings with a partnership of 61 runs in 29 balls. Brevis, who had scored a century in the last match, hammered 50 off only 22 deliveries, six of which were against Aaron Hardie in one over.
But Maxwell’s talent did not come from the bat alone. He took an incredible diving catch to get rid of Brevis as he was poised to register another big innings.
Zampa Spins a Web on a Slow Cairns Track
On a pitch where considerable turn was available, Adam Zampa helped to stop South Africa’s innings in its tracks. Zampa returned great figures of 2/24 off 4 overs, dismissing important batsmen like Ryan Rickelton and Stubbs. His control and variation helped to restrict South Africa and keep their total to a manageable chase.
Mitchell Marsh Finds Form, Leads from the Front In SA vs AUS
In a major fillip for Australia, skipper Mitchell Marsh broke a long lean streak in T20Is by making his first half-century in 19 innings. He hit 50 off 35 balls, mastering early play and guiding Australia to their first 50-run opening stand in 8 T20Is. Marsh sent several sixes past Rabada, Ngidi, and Muthusamy, laying the foundation well before South African bowlers staged a recovery.
South Africa’s Quadruple Strike Flips the Match
Having moved to 64/0, Australia suddenly found themselves in trouble at 88/4 – all thanks to aggressive spells by Corbin Bosch and promising part-timer Kwena Maphaka. Markram’s decision to introduce himself in the attack caused Travis Head’s dismissal, and as a result, a collapse began.
Bosch got Inglis out for a golden duck, while Maphaka picked up Marsh and Green in the same over. Four wickets fell for only 22 runs in 18 balls, and South Africa were back in the game.
Maxwell vs Rabada: Game-Changing Over
Requiring 27 runs off the final three overs, Maxwell went up against Kagiso Rabada in what proved to be a turning point over. The momentum shifted due to a no-ball and six runs off the free-hit. Maxwell registered his fifty in thirty deliveries and then relieved the pressure on his team by hitting 15 runs off Rabada’s final over.
Still, Bosch took two late wickets, which put the team back under pressure, but Maxwell’s wise brilliance from the last ball kept the run chase framed in a thoughtful way that sealed the match, and therefore the series for Australia.
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