Australia’s cricket team clinched the three-match T20 International series against South Africa, 2-1. It came down to the final over, but the Aussies won the third and final match at Cazaly’s Stadium by two wickets with one ball to spare.
South Africa were in some early trouble after being invited to bat first in the second successive game. They lost their top three batters relatively cheaply and were 49 for the loss of three wickets by the seventh over. Dewald Brevis once again looked to resurrect their innings.
Striking the ball as powerfully and cleanly as his previous innings where he amassed the Proteas highest total in T20 internationals – Baby AB – again took the fight to the Australia’s bowlers.
Sharing in a 61-run fourth wicket partnership with Tristan Stubbs who scored a cameo 25 and Brevis recorded his maiden half-century from just 22 deliveries. Sadly, for the visitors he was dismissed soon after the milestone for 53 and the runs seem to dry up for the Proteas.
Rassie van der Dussen’s 38 from 26 deliveries was the only other score of significance as the Aussie bowlers fought back in the dying overs. The South Africans were eventually restricted to 172 for seven in their 20 overs.
The hosts’ openers captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head came out guns blazing with a 66-run opening stand. Finding some form, the skipper led from the front scoring his 10th half-century in T20s.
But when he departed for 54 from just 37 deliveries, Australia’s middle-order also struggled to get going, losing wickets at regular intervals. At 133 for six after 15 overs, the hosts needed just 40 runs from the last five overs.
It was Glenn Maxwell who added the finishing touches to their innings. Maxwell smashed a half-century from just 30 deliveries and shared in a 41-run sixth-wicket partnership with Ben Dwarshius.
There was late excitement from the tourists as the Aussies lost two scalps in the penultimate over compliments of Corbin Bosch.
With just 10 runs required from the final over – Australia’s victory was never really in any doubt.
Maxwell finished unbeaten on 62 from just 36 deliveries as he saw the home side to a two-wicket victory, as well as a 2-1 series win.
🚨 Match Result 🚨
An incredible contest comes to an end at Cairns! 🔥
Australia wins the 3rd T20I by 2 wickets and wraps up what has been an unforgettable series 2-1. 🏏
Plenty of positives for the Proteas to take away from this series. 🇿🇦👏#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/ZaC9W0AxNI
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 16, 2025
