Maxwell flourishes as Australia ramp up T20 World Cup prep
Australia clinched the three-match T20I series 2-1 against South Africa after Glenn Maxwell pulled off a rescue act for the home side in the decider.
A final over thriller saw Australia seal a win in a closely-fought series-decider in Cairns, with Glenn Maxwell powering an unbeaten 62* runs off 36 deliveries to propel the hosts over the line off the penultimate delivery.
With the series level at 1-1 after Dewald Brevis’ stunning maiden century in the second T20I, and a clinical bowling effort leading Australia over the line in the first game, the home side were tasked with chasing down 173 to claim the series.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh brought out the firepower at the top with a stylish 37-ball 54 to set the foundation for the chase.
While the Proteas pacers helped stage a comeback with the ball after the initial onslaught, putting Australia in precarious position at 88/4, Maxwell brought out his best, lacing his knock with eight fours and two sixes to see through the game.
Opening up on his match-winning effort, Maxwell termed it ‘nerve-wracking’ and offered credit where its due to the Proteas bowlers.
"It was a little bit nerve wracking," he said post-match.
"I think when we lost a couple of wickets in a row, Corbin Bosch bowled a brilliant over to sort of keep the run rate sort of near nine or ten and we were down the two wickets and I probably had to do the majority of the striking but, yeah, it was it was nice to get a couple out of the middle right near the end."
The 36-year-old added that fighting out a win against a team of South Africa's pedigree provides a major boost to the team morale heading into the ICC T20 World Cup next year in the sub-continent.
"We've had a great run with this T20 group. To have another series win against a quality opposition in South African is great for our confidence heading forward.
"There's still about 13-14 internationals before the T20 World Cup and we are building something really nice in this group. It's certainly a very fun change room to be in and I am enjoying every moment."
Skipper Marsh was all-praise for the Aussie all-rounder and termed him a ‘world class’ asset for the team.
"Obviously it's always nice to win the close ones in T20 cricket and it was a little bit unorthodox, but very thankful that Maxi got us over the line.
“You never know what's going to happen that's for sure, but he's a world-class player, he's been so flexible. Think he's batted in three different positions in each game and we're just lucky to have him, he does everything um and he was class tonight."
Player of the Series for his 150 runs from three games, Tim David was also in awe of Maxwell’s effort that guided the team over the line.
Australia and South Africa will next lock horns in the three-match ODI series starting Tuesday, 19 August in Cairns.