Australia Clinch 17-Run Win Over South Africa in Darwin T20I
Australia posted 178 with Tim David smashing 83 off 52 balls despite Kwena Maphaka’s 4 for 20. In reply, Ryan Rickelton scored 71 but Josh Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis took three wickets each to restrict South Africa to 161 for 9, sealing Australia’s ninth consecutive T20I victory.
On a warm evening in Darwin, Australia and South Africa clashed in the first T20I of their series, with the hosts batting first after South Africa won the toss and opted to field and the Aussies riding high on their recent T20 successes. With the Australian team taking a 1-0 lead now, let’s see how the complete match unfolded.
Australia’s Innings
Australia’s batting lineup packed with power-hitters was expected to set a formidable total on a pitch offering bounce and some turn. Openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head walked out with confidence but South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada struck early. In the second over, Rabada dismissed Head for just 2 runs off 7 balls as the opener’s aggressive drive found an edge and was caught by debutant Kwena Maphaka at fine leg. The early wicket put Australia on the back foot and the pressure grew when Josh Inglis fell for a golden duck in the third over. George Linde’s spin accounted for Inglis who edged to Senuran Muthusamy, leaving Australia at 16 for 2.
Tim David sent a few to the roof in a brilliant showing, leading Australia to 178 first up 🔥
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 10, 2025
Keep up with #AUSvSA: https://t.co/vatynjY0nD pic.twitter.com/MMezmfZMj4
Captain Mitchell Marsh tried to counterattack with a four and a six to inject some momentum. His effort was short-lived as he fell for 13 off 7 balls caught by Maphaka off Rabada’s bowling. At 30 for 3 after three overs Australia were in trouble with their top order undone by South Africa’s relentless attack. Cameron Green then stepped up to rescue the innings and delivered a blistering 35 off just 13 balls with four fours and three huge sixes. His onslaught during the powerplay included a towering six over long-on off Lungi Ngidi which pushed Australia to 71 for 4 by the end of the sixth over. Green’s cameo ended when he was caught behind by Ryan Rickelton off Ngidi leaving the hosts needing stability.
Tim David came in at number five and became the anchor of the innings. At 75 for 6 after eight overs with Mitchell Owen bowled by Maphaka for 2 and Glenn Maxwell falling for 1 caught by Linde off Muthusamy as Tim David took control. His 83 off 52 balls was a mix of power and patience with four fours and eight sixes. He started cautiously before targeting the spinners and formed a vital 59-run stand with Ben Dwarshuis for the seventh wicket. Dwarshuis supported well with 17 off 19 balls while David played lofted cover drives and towering hits over the rope.
The partnership took Australia past 100 in the 11th over and to 150 by the 16th. David reached his fifty off 29 balls with three fours and five sixes at that stage showing his composure under pressure. Maphaka however continued to shine on debut. In the 15th over he removed Dwarshuis caught by Aiden Markram and later dismissed David in the 19th with Tristan Stubbs taking the catch. Maphaka ended with 4 for 20 from four overs combining pace and accuracy to dismantle Australia’s middle order.
FIRST BALL IN DARWIN GOES FOR SIX! @BKTtires | #PlayoftheDay | #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/fJlXiAujTG
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 10, 2025
Nathan Ellis added 12 off 11 balls with a four and a six before being run out on the last ball. Adam Zampa made 1 off 2 caught by Dewald Brevis off Maphaka while Josh Hazlewood stayed not out on 0. Australia were all out for 178 in 20 overs with extras contributing 12 runs including 1 leg bye 2 no-balls and 9 wides. The powerplay brought 71 for 4 with milestones at 50 in 4.4 overs, 100 in 11.1 overs and 150 in 16.2 overs. South Africa’s bowling was led by Maphaka’s four wickets while Rabada took two and Ngidi Linde and Muthusamy picked up one each. Corbin Bosch went wicketless and proved expensive, giving away 44 in three overs. Tim David’s lone stand transformed what could have been a collapse into a competitive score of 179 for South Africa to chase.
South Africa’s Innings
Chasing 179 South Africa needed a strong start but Australia’s bowlers led by Josh Hazlewood had other ideas. Captain Aiden Markram began in aggressive fashion hitting three fours to race to 12 off 6 balls. Hazlewood struck in the very first over with Cameron Green taking a sharp catch at mid-off to remove the skipper. The early wicket forced South Africa to slow down and reassess. Ryan Rickelton the wicketkeeper opener anchored the innings with a determined 71 off 55 balls that included seven fours and a six. He was joined by Lhuan-dre Pretorius who added a quick 14 off 9 balls with two boundaries. Glenn Maxwell ended Pretorius’ stay in the fifth over as Mitchell Owen took the catch.
A ninth-straight T20I win for the Aussies, with highlights galore in Darwin.#AUSvSA scorecard: https://t.co/vatynjY0nD pic.twitter.com/Xy2iB2QJlR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 10, 2025
At number three Dewald Brevis struggled to settle, managing only 2 off 6 balls before being caught by substitute Sean Abbott off Ben Dwarshuis in the sixth over. The powerplay closed at 48 for 3 with Australia keeping the scoring rate in check through disciplined bowling. Rickelton then found stability with Tristan Stubbs and the pair put together a crucial 72-run stand for the fourth wicket. Stubbs played confidently for his 37 off 27 balls with five boundaries while Rickelton reached his half-century from 43 balls with five fours at that point. The partnership guided South Africa past 50 in the seventh over and 100 in the 13th with steady rotation of strike and selective hitting against the spinners.
Hazlewood returned in the 15th over to make the breakthrough. Stubbs edged behind to Inglis and was gone. George Linde followed soon after for a three-ball duck caught by Maxwell off Hazlewood. Adam Zampa tightened the grip with two wickets in the 16th over, bowling Corbin Bosch for 2 and trapping Senuran Muthusamy lbw for a golden duck. From a promising position South Africa had slumped to 123 for 7 after 16 overs. Rickelton tried to keep the chase alive with a towering six and composed strokeplay but the asking rate kept rising.
Kagiso Rabada swung hard in the death overs adding 10 from 6 balls including a six yet Dwarshuis bowled him in the final over. Kwena Maphaka finished unbeaten on 3 from 3 deliveries but South Africa could only reach 161 for 9 falling 17 runs short. Extras contributed 10 runs with 2 leg byes and 8 wides. The 150 mark came in the 19th over but the late push was not enough. Australia’s bowlers were consistent and controlled. Hazlewood led with 3 for 27 from four overs and Dwarshuis matched him with 3 for 26.
WHAT A CATCH BY MAXWELL WHEN SOUTH AFRICA NEEDED 21 FROM 5 BALLS. 🤯
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 10, 2025
– One of the Greatest Catches ever..!!! pic.twitter.com/TORroZNEzx
Zampa claimed 2 for 33 while Maxwell picked up 1 for 29. Nathan Ellis went wicketless conceding 44 from his quota. Both sides had one unsuccessful review each with Australia’s coming in the second over and South Africa’s in the 16th. Rickelton’s valiant knock kept South Africa in contention for most of the chase but Australia’s early strikes and sustained pressure sealed the win.
TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game
The first T20I was defined by the emergence of South Africa’s 19-year-old pacer Kwena Maphaka, whose spell earned him TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game. Maphaka’s figures of 4 for 20 in four overs, at an economy of 5.00, were a revelation on a day when runs flowed freely. Conceding 13 dot balls, one four, and one six, Maphaka dismantled Australia’s batting lineup with pace and precision.
Kwena Maphaka Makes History! 🌟
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 10, 2025
An incredible return as he took Darwin by storm, claiming four wickets in a phenomenal display! 🔥🏏
At just 19, Kwena is the youngest fast bowler from a member nation to achieve this feat in T20I cricket. 🇿🇦💪#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/5gHYnJOjGk
His standout moment came when he dismissed Tim David, who was threatening to take the game away with his 83 off 52. Maphaka also accounted for Ben Dwarshuis (17), Adam Zampa (1), and Mitchell Owen (2), striking at crucial moments to keep Australia’s total in check at 178.
TCNI’s Hero of the Day
Despite South Africa’s 17-run defeat, Ryan Rickelton emerged as TCNI’s Hero of the Day for his resilient 71 off 55 balls. With a strike rate of 129.09, Rickelton’s innings featured seven crisp fours and a towering six, anchoring South Africa’s chase of 179.
Phenomenal performance from Ryan Rickelton! 🔥
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 10, 2025
He anchored the innings brilliantly, holding it together for the Proteas men from start to finish. What an effort! 💪🏏🇿🇦 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/bqUCo8NBGu
Facing a formidable Australian attack led by Josh Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis, Rickelton batted for 101 minutes, holding the innings together as wickets fell around him. His 72-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs was the backbone of South Africa’s effort, taking them to 120 before Stubbs’ dismissal. Even as the middle order collapsed, Rickelton’s composure and ability to find gaps kept the chase alive until the 19th over.
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