Glenn Maxwell's Clutch Heroics Seal T20I Series Win For Australia Vs South Africa
Stunning-as-always Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 led Australia to a two-wicket win over South Africa in Cairns, sealing the T20 series 2-1.
Glenn Maxwell took a stunning catch and then scored a crucial half-century to help Australia edge past a resilient South Africa by two wickets, securing the three-match Twenty20 series in Cairns on Saturday.
Chasing South Africa's 172-7, Australia found themselves in trouble at 122-6 in the 14th over until Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls turned the game.
A late drama unfolded when South African pacer Corbin Bosch took two consecutive wickets, dismissing Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis.
However, Maxwell hit a boundary on the second-last ball of the match to seal the victory and celebrated enthusiastically.
Australia, who were favourites, had won the first match but faced a setback with a 52-run defeat in the second game before moving to Cairns, which hosted its first T20 international.
Maxwell admitted, 'It was a little nerve-racking. I tried to stay on strike as much as I could and cash in on anything loose."
Australia's captain Mitchell Marsh decided to field first, taking advantage of conditions favourable for seam bowlers, unlike the batting-friendly pitches in the first two games in Darwin.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored a quick 24 before falling to Ellis, making way for Dewald Brevis, who had scored a record-breaking 125 not out in the second game.
Brevis hit his sixth delivery onto the roof before Maxwell dropped a difficult one-handed chance at long-on.
However, Brevis reached his half-century off 22 balls.
Maxwell, known for his fielding prowess, redeemed himself in the 12th over with an excellent diving catch to dismiss Brevis for 53.
South Africa's innings lost momentum and their total seemed insufficient when Marsh led a 66-run opening partnership with Travis Head.
South Africa then struck back, quickly dismissing Head (19) and Josh Inglis for a first-ball duck.
Marsh scored 54 before getting out to 19-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who later in the 11th over also dismissed Cameron Green (nine).
Australia's collapse of 6-56 was completed when in-form Tim David (17) and Aaron Hardie (one) were dismissed, but Maxwell took control from there.
The Australian players wore black armbands to honour former captain and coach Bob Simpson, who passed away at the age of 89.
The three-match One-Day International series between the teams starts in Cairns on Tuesday.
(With agency inputs)
First Published:
News cricket Glenn Maxwell's Clutch Heroics Seal T20I Series Win For Australia Vs South Africa
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
44 minutes ago
- News18
Japans Ritsu Doan shines on Eintracht Frankfurt debut in German Cup
Berlin, Aug 17 (AP) Japan forward Ritsu Doan scored twice on his Eintracht Frankfurt debut in a 5-0 win at fifth-tier FV Engers in the first round of the German Cup on Sunday. The underdogs managed to hold Dino Toppmöller's team for most of the first half until Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Doan scored in quick succession before the break. Doan scored again after it, and Elye Wahi and Paxten Aaronson both scored late to complete the rout. Doan joined Frankfurt 10 days ago from Bundesliga rival Freiburg, his arrival compensating for Hugo Ekitiké's sale to Liverpool. Frankfurt was without Mario Götze, who is still working his way back from injury, and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who is expected to join Paris FC following its promotion to the top division in France. Frankfurt is expected to sign Michael Zetterer from Werder Bremen as Trapp's replacement. Zetterer cried as he appeared to bid Bremen fans farewell following the team's loss at Arminia Bielefeld on Friday. Frankfurt starts its Bundesliga campaign against Bremen on Aug. 23. Also Sunday, second-division club Paderborn defeated third-tier Viktoria Cologne 3-1. Borussia Mönchengladbach faced fifth-tier Atlas Delmenhorst and Schalke was visiting Lokomotiv Leipzig among the other games to be played later. (AP) ATK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 19:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
ICC mourns Bob Simpson's death, remembers his contributions
Simpson, one of the most influential figures in Australian cricket, died on Saturday at the age of 89. In a statement, ICC chairman Jay Shah praised Simpson's contributions and said he would be long remembered. The ICC on Sunday condoled the demise of former Australia captain Bob Simpson, highlighting his contribution as a player, captain and coach during the team's rise to the peak of world cricket through the 1990s. Simpson, one of the most influential figures in Australian cricket, died on Saturday at the age of 89. ICC chairman Jay Shah pays tribute to Bob Simpson In a statement, ICC chairman Jay Shah praised Simpson's contributions and said he would be long remembered. 'Bob Simpson was one of the true greats of our sport, and it is deeply saddening to learn of his passing. His legacy is immense. As a player, captain, and later as a coach, he shaped Australian cricket and inspired the global game,' Shah said in the statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'He nurtured and guided a generation of players who went on to become legends in their own right, and his influence extended far beyond the field. More from First Cricket 'We're going to...': Alyssa Healy warns of spin challenge ahead of Women's World Cup 2025 'On behalf of the International Cricket Council, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricket fraternity. His passing is a profound loss for the game, but his contributions will always be remembered and cherished,' he added. An ICC Hall of Famer, Simpson played 62 Tests for Australia between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81 with 10 centuries, 27 half-centuries and a highest score of 311. A fine leg-spinner, he took 71 wickets at 42.26 with two five-wicket hauls and best figures of five for 57. He was also an astute fielder, taking 110 catches. After retiring in 1968, Simpson made a famous comeback as Test captain in 1978 at the age of 41, to lead a weakened Australia side. After retirement, he became Australia's first full-time coach and was also a national selector. He finished with 10 Test centuries, scoring all of them while he was leading the Australian team, including 311 against England in Manchester in 1964. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
I stick to what I believe in: Shoaib Bashir responds to rival Nathan Lyon's jibe
England's frontline spinner, Shoaib Bashir, remains unfazed by the comments made by his Australian counterpart, Nathan Lyon after his performances in the recently-concluded home series against had shared his verdict on Bashir in the series as rather middling and suggested that someone like Jack Leach might be their best spin option as both teams gear up for the Ashes Down Under later this was ruled out after the third Test due to a finger injury. He is currently recovering from the knock which is when he had responded to Lyon's jibe. "Everyone has their own opinions and that's fine. I just stick to what I believe and what the people around me believe. I don't really look at that stuff," Bashir commented as quoted by the PA news 21-year-old admitted that he was an avid follower of Lyon throughout his Test career and has taken some tips from the latter which he plans to use for the Ashes tour."I do enjoy the way he bowls, especially his overspin, it's a great asset he has, and the amount of revs he puts on the ball. He's someone I've been looking at for a while now. I learned you do get bounce but you've got to find a way to use that," Bashir said of his time in Australia. I've got height but there's more than just height to extract bounce from the wicket. Just small technical things," he commented."It's just (about) nailing what I do best. If you look at my attributes – I'm tall and try to put as many revs on the ball as I can, with that comes variations. I'm still learning, still quite young, I'm still trying develop my game and better myself day-by-day. That will never stop. I love talking about the game and I love learning," he he make a full recovery, it is likely that the spinner will feature in his first Test in Australian soil where he hopes to play a key role in hopes of reclaiming the urn. Bashir admitted that he won't be looking to back down and will look to take things up a notch to help England in their pursuit."Don't be surprised if I do have a word but I genuinely like to keep things cool. If things do get heated then I'm there. It would be special and a great achievement (to win the series), especially with this regime at the moment. We're looking forward to what it brings," he concluded- EndsMust Watch
