CAIRNS (AUSTRALIA): Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten half-century powered Australia to a thrilling two-wicket victory over South Africa in the final T20 on Saturday, sealing the series 2-1.
Needing four runs off the final two balls, Maxwell reverse-swiped Lungi Ngidi to third base, finishing 62 not out off 36 deliveries as Australia reached 173-8, denying South Africa its first T20 series win on Australian soil.
Earlier, young South African sensation Dewald Brevis had blasted 53 off 26 balls, including four sixes in a single over off Aaron Hardie, before Australia managed to restrain the Proteas to 172-7.
Both teams observed a minute of silence in tribute to former Australia captain and coach Bob Simpson, who passed away at 89.
Chasing, Australia got off to a strong start with captain Mitchell Marsh (54) and Travis Head putting together 66-1 in eight overs. However, South Africa fought back, taking four wickets in four overs. Head missed a chance when Aiden Markram dropped a return catch and soon after offered a simple catch to short fine leg.
Josh Inglis, returning after illness, was clean bowled by Corbin Bosch on his first delivery. Kwena Maphaka then struck twice, dismissing Marsh and Cameron Green, leaving Australia struggling at 88-4 in the 11th over.
Experienced pacer Kagiso Rabada removed Tim David and Hardie in the same over, reducing Australia to 122-6. Maxwell then farmed the strike expertly, shielding Ben Dwarshuis, who scored just one run off six balls, in a 41-run partnership that kept Australia in contention.
With 12 runs needed from the final two overs, Bosch again struck, taking successive wickets of Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis. Maxwell held his nerve, smashing two boundaries to seal the win.
“It was a little bit nerve-wracking,” Maxwell said, reflecting on his eight fours and two sixes. “After losing a couple of wickets, Corbin Bosch bowled a brilliant over to keep the run rate manageable, and I had to do most of the striking, but it was nice to get a couple out of the middle of the bat at the end.”
Earlier, Brevis’ dismissal in the 12th over proved pivotal. Maxwell took a stunning diving catch at wide mid-on to end the 22-year-old’s fiery innings, which included six sixes and a 22-ball half-century.
Ellis finished with 3-31, Adam Zampa took 2-24 in the middle overs, and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with 2-30, as Australia squeezed the runs when it mattered most.
