Australia vs South Africa, 3rd T20I Match Summary

7th bilateral series for Mitchell Marsh as skipper. 6th victory for him, with one being drawn against England, in 2024. That means, he is yet to lose a bilateral series in T20Is as a captain. Australia will hope that bodes well for them this time during the 2026 T20 World Cup, but there is still some time for that. Although Aiden Markram mentioned about small moments costing them the game and series, there was another big talking point. Australia's newly adopted go-hard approach, from the series in the Caribbean. They overpowered the Windies there and have done the same here. The hosts hammered 28 sixes, while the Proteas managed only 19, with 14 of them coming from Dewald Brevis alone! Additionally, their no show at the death with the bat needs a solution. Australia were tested with their approach throughout the series, collapsing in every game, but have managed to find someone or the other to keep them on top. Whether that approach needs some tweaking or not, needs to be seen. For now, these two sides get ready to clash in a 3-match ODI series. The first of those will be played on Tuesday, 19th August, 2025, at this same venue, Cairns, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT. But our buildup will begin well in advance. Do tune in early. Until then, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious captain of Australia, MITCHELL MARSH, cannot hide his glee, as one can literally count his teeth. That's how happy he is. On being asked whether he was nervous when Maxwell was batting, Marsh replies with a yes and adds that it feels nice to win the series. Is thankful to Maxi for helping the team get over the line. But is quick to add that there is never a doubt when Maxwell is around. Calls him a world-class player, always doing everything for the team. On his own personal form, Mitchell is happy and feels nice to contribute to a win. On the ODI series coming up next, The Bison says that he is looking forward to it. Adds that any series against South Africa is fought pretty hard and the Aussies respect the Saffas' competitive spirit.

The skipper of South Africa, AIDEN MARKRAM, calls it a good game of cricket. Feels unfortunate to have ended on the wrong side. Calls the reason as a lot of small margins which could have been different. But is happy with the players putting their hands up. On Dewald Brevis' form, Markram smiles and says that he does not want to jinx him but calls him special, adding that not too many players can do what he does. Hopes that Brevis has a great future. On the positives for South Africa from this series, Aiden says that he found some glimpses every time. Is happy with the partnerships and the bowling as well.

TIM DAVID HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES, for scoring 150 runs in the series, at a strike rate of 176.47, with 13 sixes in 85 balls. On missing out in this match, David says that watching Glenn Maxwell play the way he did, he is not disappointed with his own effort. Adds that the team is doing really well and this bodes well for the future. On his discovered form, Tim says that he is just looking to enjoy himself and not try too hard. Adds that form comes and goes but the work that he has been doing is contributing to the success of this team and there are many players who are doing it currently.

GLENN MAXWELL HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his unbeaten 62 (36) with the bat. Maxwell says that he always had the belief. Just that they lost a couple of wickets. Praises Corbin Bosch for bowling really well to keep the run rate in check. Says that it feels nice to take the team home in the end. On what he tells himself in such situations, Glenn replies by saying that he just tells himself to watch the ball and not pre-empt too much. Adds that he looks to target the areas where he can get boundaries and cash in on loose balls. On his reaction on the win, GM says that was because of him having a very dry run in T20 cricket. Adds that to have a series win against a quality side like South Africa means a lot. Ends by saying that his side has got another 14-odd games before the World Cup and is gelling nicely.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, South Africa were invited to bat on a difficult batting surface. Nearly everyone struggled but Dewald Brevis was batting on another planet. His excellent 53 (26) combined with a composed unbeaten 38 (26) from Rassie van der Dussen gave them the score of 172 to defend, which, by no means, was a walkover. However, given that they were 108/3 in the 11th over, they will feel they should have got at least 10-15 runs more. Death overs batting has been the main problem in this series for the visitors. Once again, Australia had no answers to Brevis' firepower, but once he was out of the way, they came back stormingly. Nathan Ellis picked up a 3-fer while Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa were economical. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Got to feel for South Africa. Came close in the tri-series final against New Zealand recently in Zimbabwe and have finished second yet again here. They will feel that the new-ball bowling let them down, as they did not pick up a single wicket. Australia's collapses have been well documented over the months, so even one Powerplay wicket could have made the difference. Additionally, they dropped a few catches, which was pretty un-South Africa like and eventually, those small moments cost them. But the way they bounced back was heartening, especially, Corbin Bosch, who bowled a double-wicket 19th over, to give his side a sniff. Kwena Maphaka showed his form from the first T20I, but his first and third overs cost him badly.

Glenn James Maxwell. Came in when his side was tottering at 88/4. Played the way he usually plays, racing off to a start. Then, he started to run out of batting partners. David and Hardie were dismissed in quick succession and now, Australia needed 51 from 37 balls, with 4 wickets in hand. No problem, said Maxi. Enter Ben Dwarshuis and one suspects, he must have told him, 'Ben, you need to be Cummins for me here, and treat South Africa as a rampant Afghanistan at the Wankhede in the 2023 ODI World Cup.' That night, in an unbeaten stand of 202, Cummins made 12. Here, in a crucial stand of 41, Dwarshuis made just 1. But crucially, Cummins that time and Dwarshuis this time, made sure that they followed Maxwell's advice. Towards the end, the South Africans came roaring back again through Corbin Bosch but Maxwell held them off, with an unbeaten 62.

After top-order collapses in the first two games, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh got off to a flier in the third. They attacked the new ball and hammered 52 in the Powerplay. Actually, it was plainly Marsh hammering the ball, getting his first half century after 18 T20Is and nearly 18 months. He rode his luck, getting dropped early by Kagiso Rabada and made the Proteas pay. However, the South Africans kept believing and fought back. Head was dismissed by Markram yet again and from 66/0, the side slipped to 88/4, which further became 120/5 as David had an off night. But there was someone else too, who keeps on getting forgotten time and again.

What a grand match for the grand finale. Very rarely do we get such matches which are thrillers as a finale. In terms of the batting firepower, 173 was never going to challenge Australia. But it was the pitch which made all the difference. The balls were bouncing a bit high and some were stopping and coming. And on such a pitch, the new ball was always the key, because it is hard and runs could come quickly.

The Big Show roars. Makes a statement. Never. Write. Me. Off. Ever. Definitely even more so when all the batting stocks have been exhausted. Once again, Glenn Maxwell reminds everyone of the skill he possesses and the Aussies are up in delight in the dugout.

FOUR! That's a seriously audacious shot under pressure! Another high full toss, around middle and off, and Maxwell has the nerves to reverse it over short third! The ball is high in the air, but there is no one to catch it! Lands just inside the ropes and bounces into the fence! AUSTRALIA WIN BY 2 WICKETS AND WIN THE SERIES 2-1!

Well bowled. Full and straight, The Big Show hammers it towards long on. Does not take the single. 4 needed from 2 balls now!

Was that a no ball? A high full toss, outside off, Glenn slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge towards short third. Excellent effort by Senuran Muthusamy at short third, to stop it with a dive. Maxwell does not run. He looks at the square leg umpire but does not get the no ball. The side-on replay seems to suggest that the ball was dipping. 4 needed from 3 balls now!

FOUR! POUNDED! Full and outside off, Maxwell creams it through the covers for a boundary! 4 needed from 4 balls now!

Terrific effort in the deep! A length ball, around middle, Glenn Maxwell swings it towards wide long on. But the fielder rushes across to his right, leaps outside the ropes and pushes the ball back in, before landing on the ground! Deep mid-wicket mops it up. Two runs taken. 8 needed from 5 balls now!

Last over. 10 needed. South Africa scored 11. Lungi Ngidi to bowl. 3-0-24-0 so far.

Yorker again, outside off, Adam Zampa pushes through the line and gets a thick outside edge through deep third. Wants the single but is sent back. 2 runs and 2 wickets from the over and Bosch's last 2 overs have cost 6/2! He finishes with bowling figures of 4-1-26-3!

Excellent yorker, around off, watchfully dug out by Zampa towards point.

Adam Zampa walks in next, at number 10, replacing Nathan Ellis, to face the hattrick ball!

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Two in two! What a bowler this guy is. Shifted the momentum in the 17th over and is swinging it his side's way in the 19th. Full, just around off, Ellis is forced to play it. The ball pitches, moves away slightly, takes the outside edge and the keeper, Ryan Rickelton, does the rest!

Nathan Ellis walks in next, at number 9, replacing Ben Dwarshuis.

OUT! BOWLED! This is exactly why, this game is not done yet. Another slower ball, into the pitch, targetting the stumps, Ben Dwarshuis goes for the glory shot, to his favourite area at mid-wicket but misses the ball. It hits the stumps. The 41-run stand is broken and Dwarshuis departs for 1 (6). Australia are 163/7 and still need another 10 runs from 9 balls!

Slower ball again, into the pitch, Dwarshuis looks to heave but gets it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket.

A full toss, on leg stump, Ben Dwarshuis looks to swing but gets it off the inner half of the bat through fine leg. Two runs taken. Leg byes signalled in fact.

After 18 overs, Australia are 161/6. At the same stage, South Africa were 151/6.

Interesting, Maxwell takes a couple! On a length, around middle and leg, Maxwell works it through square leg. Dwarshuis is keen on the second and Maxwell agrees. Kwena Maphaka comes charging in from fine leg but fails to pick the ball up. Maxwell looks for the third but it is not on. 15 from the over and Kagiso Rabada finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-32-2!

Nearly a drag on! Another slower ball, short in length, Ben Dwarshuis looks to pull but is early into the stroke. Gets a bottom edge which goes past the stumps to the leg side. A run taken.

50 FOR MAXWELL! In 30 balls. Keeping Australia alive in this contest. On middle and leg, Maxwell pushes it down to long on for a single.