Aussies in awe of 'Baby AB' as focus turns to ODIs
Maxwell was the hero on Saturday night in Cairns, blasting an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls to lead Australia to a thrilling two-wicket T20 victory over South Africa with just one ball to spare.
The win secured Australia a 2-1 series victory, and they will be aiming to back it up in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting in Cairns on Tuesday.
Although Australia managed to edge South Africa in the T20s, one of the biggest talking points to come out of the series was the hot form of rising Proteas star Dewald Brevis.
The 22-year-old smacked an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls to guide South Africa to victory in game two.
And he was at it again on Saturday night, blasting 53 off 26 balls before a brilliant diving catch from Maxwell in the deep ended his innings.
At one point, Brevis smacked allrounder Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes, including one huge hit that bounced on top of the roof and out of the stadium.
Brevis was dubbed 'Baby AB', in reference to former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, after taking the Under 19 Cricket World Cup by storm in 2022.
Maxwell, who has reluctantly carried the nickname 'The Big Show' throughout his career, was full of praise for Brevis.
"He's got a lot of talent," Maxwell said.
"It was hard not to see some of the highlights from when he played in the South Africa Under 19s, and all the 'Baby AB' stuff.
"It's a pretty heavy burden he had to have early in his career.
"He probably got fast tracked a little bit into the South African side. he's had to go away and work on his game and come back and he's played beautifully this series.
"His bat swing is really pure. He's hard to stop when he gets going."
Maxwell won't be there for the ODI series after announcing his retirement in that format earlier this year, but Brevis is in South Africa's squad.
Brevis has already played two Tests and 10 T20s for his country, and it will be hard to see the South African selectors not picking him in the XI for the ODI series given his blistering hot form.
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Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
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The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Aussies in awe of 'Baby AB' as focus turns to ODIs
Glenn Maxwell knows a thing or two about the burden of nicknames, and even he's been blown away by the South African rising star dubbed 'Baby AB'. Maxwell was the hero on Saturday night in Cairns, blasting an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls to lead Australia to a thrilling two-wicket T20 victory over South Africa with just one ball to spare. The win secured Australia a 2-1 series victory, and they will be aiming to back it up in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting in Cairns on Tuesday. Although Australia managed to edge South Africa in the T20s, one of the biggest talking points to come out of the series was the hot form of rising Proteas star Dewald Brevis. The 22-year-old smacked an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls to guide South Africa to victory in game two. And he was at it again on Saturday night, blasting 53 off 26 balls before a brilliant diving catch from Maxwell in the deep ended his innings. At one point, Brevis smacked allrounder Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes, including one huge hit that bounced on top of the roof and out of the stadium. Brevis was dubbed 'Baby AB', in reference to former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, after taking the Under 19 Cricket World Cup by storm in 2022. Maxwell, who has reluctantly carried the nickname 'The Big Show' throughout his career, was full of praise for Brevis. "He's got a lot of talent," Maxwell said. "It was hard not to see some of the highlights from when he played in the South Africa Under 19s, and all the 'Baby AB' stuff. "It's a pretty heavy burden he had to have early in his career. "He probably got fast tracked a little bit into the South African side. he's had to go away and work on his game and come back and he's played beautifully this series. "His bat swing is really pure. He's hard to stop when he gets going." Maxwell won't be there for the ODI series after announcing his retirement in that format earlier this year, but Brevis is in South Africa's squad. Brevis has already played two Tests and 10 T20s for his country, and it will be hard to see the South African selectors not picking him in the XI for the ODI series given his blistering hot Maxwell knows a thing or two about the burden of nicknames, and even he's been blown away by the South African rising star dubbed 'Baby AB'. Maxwell was the hero on Saturday night in Cairns, blasting an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls to lead Australia to a thrilling two-wicket T20 victory over South Africa with just one ball to spare. The win secured Australia a 2-1 series victory, and they will be aiming to back it up in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting in Cairns on Tuesday. Although Australia managed to edge South Africa in the T20s, one of the biggest talking points to come out of the series was the hot form of rising Proteas star Dewald Brevis. The 22-year-old smacked an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls to guide South Africa to victory in game two. And he was at it again on Saturday night, blasting 53 off 26 balls before a brilliant diving catch from Maxwell in the deep ended his innings. At one point, Brevis smacked allrounder Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes, including one huge hit that bounced on top of the roof and out of the stadium. Brevis was dubbed 'Baby AB', in reference to former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, after taking the Under 19 Cricket World Cup by storm in 2022. Maxwell, who has reluctantly carried the nickname 'The Big Show' throughout his career, was full of praise for Brevis. "He's got a lot of talent," Maxwell said. "It was hard not to see some of the highlights from when he played in the South Africa Under 19s, and all the 'Baby AB' stuff. "It's a pretty heavy burden he had to have early in his career. "He probably got fast tracked a little bit into the South African side. he's had to go away and work on his game and come back and he's played beautifully this series. "His bat swing is really pure. He's hard to stop when he gets going." Maxwell won't be there for the ODI series after announcing his retirement in that format earlier this year, but Brevis is in South Africa's squad. Brevis has already played two Tests and 10 T20s for his country, and it will be hard to see the South African selectors not picking him in the XI for the ODI series given his blistering hot Maxwell knows a thing or two about the burden of nicknames, and even he's been blown away by the South African rising star dubbed 'Baby AB'. Maxwell was the hero on Saturday night in Cairns, blasting an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls to lead Australia to a thrilling two-wicket T20 victory over South Africa with just one ball to spare. The win secured Australia a 2-1 series victory, and they will be aiming to back it up in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting in Cairns on Tuesday. Although Australia managed to edge South Africa in the T20s, one of the biggest talking points to come out of the series was the hot form of rising Proteas star Dewald Brevis. The 22-year-old smacked an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls to guide South Africa to victory in game two. And he was at it again on Saturday night, blasting 53 off 26 balls before a brilliant diving catch from Maxwell in the deep ended his innings. At one point, Brevis smacked allrounder Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes, including one huge hit that bounced on top of the roof and out of the stadium. Brevis was dubbed 'Baby AB', in reference to former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, after taking the Under 19 Cricket World Cup by storm in 2022. Maxwell, who has reluctantly carried the nickname 'The Big Show' throughout his career, was full of praise for Brevis. "He's got a lot of talent," Maxwell said. "It was hard not to see some of the highlights from when he played in the South Africa Under 19s, and all the 'Baby AB' stuff. "It's a pretty heavy burden he had to have early in his career. "He probably got fast tracked a little bit into the South African side. he's had to go away and work on his game and come back and he's played beautifully this series. "His bat swing is really pure. He's hard to stop when he gets going." Maxwell won't be there for the ODI series after announcing his retirement in that format earlier this year, but Brevis is in South Africa's squad. Brevis has already played two Tests and 10 T20s for his country, and it will be hard to see the South African selectors not picking him in the XI for the ODI series given his blistering hot form.
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
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Chechen-born wrestling specialist Khamzat Chimaev has completely dominated Dricus du Plessis to win the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319, smothering the South African with his grappling. Chimaev scored a unanimous decision victory on the judges' scorecards on Saturday night in Chicago. He set the tone in the opening minute, shooting for an early takedown to bring the fight to the mat and pinning the South African in a crucifix position before raining punches with his left hand, but the blows did little damage and du Plessis survived. Round two began in much the same fashion as the 31-year-old again brought the fight to the mat. This time he stuck to his opponent's back like a limpet to threaten with knee strikes and choke attempts, and Du Plessis was spent in the third and fourth rounds in similarly poor positions. There was a brief sliver of hope late in the final frame as du Plessis finally managed to get himself into a threatening position, but it was too little, too late, and Chimaev was declared the winner, with all three judges scoring the fight 50 to 44 in his favour. "I never game-plan. I just came in, work like I do in the gym. That guy is strong, I couldn't finish, respect that guy, he's the only champion who was saying my name. This guy has real heart, a real lion, a real African lion," Chimaev said, the new championship belt around his waist. Du Plessis took his dethroning with good grace before promising to win the title back. "He deserves this 100 percent, he beat me fair and square tonight. He was the better man tonight, and I'll be back. I'll come and get my belt back, but for now, it's his and he deserves it, and he has to enjoy it," he said. Chechen-born wrestling specialist Khamzat Chimaev has completely dominated Dricus du Plessis to win the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319, smothering the South African with his grappling. Chimaev scored a unanimous decision victory on the judges' scorecards on Saturday night in Chicago. He set the tone in the opening minute, shooting for an early takedown to bring the fight to the mat and pinning the South African in a crucifix position before raining punches with his left hand, but the blows did little damage and du Plessis survived. Round two began in much the same fashion as the 31-year-old again brought the fight to the mat. This time he stuck to his opponent's back like a limpet to threaten with knee strikes and choke attempts, and Du Plessis was spent in the third and fourth rounds in similarly poor positions. There was a brief sliver of hope late in the final frame as du Plessis finally managed to get himself into a threatening position, but it was too little, too late, and Chimaev was declared the winner, with all three judges scoring the fight 50 to 44 in his favour. "I never game-plan. I just came in, work like I do in the gym. That guy is strong, I couldn't finish, respect that guy, he's the only champion who was saying my name. This guy has real heart, a real lion, a real African lion," Chimaev said, the new championship belt around his waist. Du Plessis took his dethroning with good grace before promising to win the title back. "He deserves this 100 percent, he beat me fair and square tonight. He was the better man tonight, and I'll be back. I'll come and get my belt back, but for now, it's his and he deserves it, and he has to enjoy it," he said.
