Australia extend record streak with victory over South Africa

An all-round performance helped Australia power to a comfortable victory over South Africa in the first T20I in Darwin, extending their unbeaten streak in the format to nine matches, their best ever in the format. Tim David and Josh Hazlewood were the standout performers as Australia registered a 17-run victory against the Proteas.

The Proteas pacers were spot on at the start, and Australia were struggling at 75-6, with Cameron Green’s quickfire 35 off 13 balls the only bright spot.

Tim David then produced a superbly crafted 83 off 52 balls, with four fours and eight sixes, sharing a crucial 59-run stand for the seventh wicket with Ben Dwarshuis, to lift the hosts to a competitive total of 178.

The biggest positive for the Proteas was the performance of young pacer Kwena Maphaka, who delivered not only his best T20I figures to date but also the best by a South Africa Men's bowler against Australia in the format. The 19-year-old was outstanding, claiming four wickets while conceding just 20 runs.

South Africa’s lack of power-hitting ultimately proved costly as they fell short in the chase. The Proteas chipped away at the target steadily, but Josh Hazlewood’s double-strike in the 15th over — including the crucial wicket of a well-set Tristan Stubbs — swung the momentum firmly in Australia’s favour.

Adam Zampa then compounded their woes in the very next over, snaring two more wickets to leave South Africa with too much to do.

Ryan Rickelton’s valiant 71 off 55 balls kept South Africa in the hunt till the last over, but the visitors eventually fell 17 runs short, handing Mitchell Marsh his 22nd win in 25 matches as Australia’s T20I captain.