2 days ago
‘Euro cricket league': Aussie's moment of madness against South Africa
Cricket legend Kerry O'Keefe had a field day over a moment of madness in the field before Glenn Maxwell carried Australia to victory in the deciding Twenty20 clash with South Africa in Cairns.
After the teams picked up one win apiece to start the series, everything was on the line at Cazaly's Stadium.
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Powerful Proteas star Dewald Brevis lit up the stadium with his 53 from just 26 balls, including four huge sixes from one Aaron Hardie over, as South Africa reached 7/172 from its 20 overs.
Then on the penultimate delivery in reply, man of the match Maxwell (62 from 36 balls) reverse sweeped for four as Australia reached 8/173 from 19.5 overs and won by two wickets in a thrilling finish.
In the 19th over of South Africa's innings, Hardie produced a moment that had O'Keeffe and the commentary team in stitches.
Watch the incident in the video player above
Rassie van der Dussen pushed a ball to mid-off and took off for a run, opting to turn around for a second as Hardie came charging in.
The 26-year-old then decided to fire an absolute rocket to Tim David attempting to cover the stumps in a moment that almost took the latter's hands clean off.
'I don't know what Aaron Hardie was doing there,' Brendon Julian said on Fox Cricket.
Mark Waugh quickly responded: 'Why would you do that?'
O'Keeffe, the former Aussie Test spinner who has become beloved for his wit and stinging remarks, quickly added: 'That was very European Cricket League.'
The European Cricket League (ECL), for those playing at home, is a 10-over domestic league and features teams from powerhouse nations Italy, Germany, Spain.
It also has a team from Jersey in the Channel Islands called the Farmers, who are the reigning champions.
'I reckon (Hardie) thought Tim David was the keeper. Watch him,' Julian added as a replay was shown.
'What was this?' O'Keeffe asked. 'When Austria played Norway I saw a bit of fielding like that.'
Waugh was enjoying the fun, adding: 'I don't know what happened there.
'Have you pinpointed any promising BBL players in that European league?'
O'Keeffe quickly responded: 'I haven't seen one yet.'
When he was asked if he actually watches the ECL, O'Keeffe replied: 'Yeah. They have funny stuff at afternoon tea I think because it goes pear-shaped after the break.'
Nathan Ellis finished with three wickets for Australia, backed up by Josh Hazlewood (2/30) and Adam Zampa (2/24.
Kagiso Rabada hit the last ball of South Africa's innings for four and Waugh was left pondering whether the tourists had done enough to win the series.
'They needed that boundary South Africa,' he said.
'They've been dragged back after the wicket of Brevis. Maybe the ball got a bit softer as well, not as easy to hit boundaries.
'I think they're probably 20 or 30 short of where they wanted to get to, but it's competitive.'
Aussie duo Mitch Marsh and Travis Head made a fast start with the bat, taking the total past 50 without loss through six overs.
The home side has just suffered a mini collapse, however, losing four wickets for 22 runs to leave the game evenly poised.
That slump was then 6/56 after dangerman Tim David (17) and Hardie (1) fell quickly, leaving Maxwell to carry most of the load.
Corbin Bosch picked up Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis in consecutive deliveries, with Australia needing 10 runs from the final over.
Maxwell farmed the strike and came through for Australia once again as they claimed the series ahead of the ODI's to come.
