Australia defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first T20 at Marrara Oval, thanks to a superb all-round display. Despite an early collapse, Tim David’s fearless batting led the recovery.
David smashed 83 off 52 balls, hammering eight sixes to lift Australia from a precarious position to a defendable 178. A dropped catch by Stubbs proved costly as David capitalised immediately with two consecutive sixes.
South Africa started brightly but couldn’t sustain the chase. Rickelton’s 71 was the standout performance for the visitors, yet Hazlewood’s three wickets for 27 halted their momentum. Zampa’s tight spell added further pressure.
Maxwell’s spectacular leaping boundary catch to remove Rickelton in the final over was the defining moment of the fielding effort. His one for 29 also played a part in stifling the opposition.
Australia’s form in T20s remains exceptional, while South Africa’s search for consistency continues.
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