Tim David crunched eight sixes in a blistering 83 from 52 balls to help Australia beat South Africa by 17 runs in their opening T20I in Darwin on Sunday. After being sent in, the hosts were all out for 178 on the final delivery of their 20 overs in the first game of international cricket in Australia’s tropical north for 17 years. Only other batsman to contribute was Cameron Green (35 off 13), with left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka taking 4-20 as South Africa bowled Australia out for the first time in a T20.
But David’s magical innings were sufficient, the Proteas being held to 161-9 in response. That was after a fighting 71 from Ryan Rickelton, who was dismissed by a spectacular Glenn Maxwell catch on the boundary.
Rickelton hammered away at the fag end of the chase, before Maxwell produced a blinder at the boundary. Rickelton cut Dwarshuis’ delivery over long-on, while Maxwell leaped from within the rope to gather the ball and then swung it over his shoulder to return in and collect the ball again.
GLENN MAXWELL DOES IT AGAIN 🤩 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/FQkfbqLzpB
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 10, 2025
Marsh Praises Match-Winning Performance
“Great way to start the series,” skipper Mitchell Marsh said after Australia’s ninth T20 victory in a row.
“Certainly we want guys like David to come out and bat the way he did, he was the difference.”
Backpedaling from a recent 5-0 series whitewash against West Indies, Australia set the tone early through Marsh hitting a six off the very first ball.
However, he lost opening batsman Travis Head (two) and Josh Inglis (golden duck) within three balls and then skied Kagiso Rabada on 13, with Maphaka taking a difficult catch before Green and David unleashed themselves.
David and Dwarshuis Steady the Innings
They scored a 40 for the fourth wicket quickly before Green was surprised by a slower delivery from Lungi Ngidi.
Australia were in strife at 75-6 when Mitch Owen was dismissed for two and danger man Maxwell was dismissed for one.
But David anchored himself and, with Dwarshuis (17), put on 59 for the seventh wicket.
South Africa’s Chase Falters
David was dropped by Tristan Stubbs at 56, while Stubbs made a partial redemption by taking the catch that finally saw the big Australian depart after a power-filled knock.
South Africa’s pursuit began poorly with skipper Aiden Markram getting out to Hazlewood in the very first over, and they were three down for 48 by the sixth over.
Rickelton and Stubbs (37) dug in for a menacing 72-run partnership but Hazlewood again came up with two wickets in an over to dash their hopes.
Bowling Seals the Win for Australia
South Africa’s chances were virtually over when Adam Zampa equalled Hazlewood’s feat in the following over.
“It got close, but we were pretty far from our best tonight,” Markram said.
The second of the three-game series is in Darwin on Tuesday.
