Tim David produced a destructive innings to rescue Australia from a perilous position and set up a 17-run win over South Africa in Darwin.
After slumping to 75 for 6 and facing the prospect of being bowled out for under 100, David counter-attacked brilliantly. The right-hander smashed eight sixes and four fours in a 52-ball 83, lifting the hosts to 178.
South Africa’s chase of 179 began badly when Aiden Markram drove a delivery from Josh Hazlewood to Cameron Green at cover in the opening over. Lhuan-dré Pretorius followed soon after, edging Glenn Maxwell for 1 off 9 balls. Before the powerplay was done, Dewald Brevis was run out for 2 by Ben Dwarshuis, leaving the visitors reeling at 48 for 3.
Tristan Stubbs joined Ryan Rickelton in a recovery effort, adding 72 for the fourth wicket. Stubbs made 37 from 27 before falling, and the lower order failed to build on the platform. Rickelton reached his half-century from 45 balls and remained the lone fighter, scoring 71 before being dismissed by a superb Maxwell catch in the final over. South Africa were bowled out for 161.
Hazlewood and Dwarshuis each took three wickets for Australia, while Adam Zampa claimed two.
Earlier, having been sent in to bat, Australia’s top order faltered. Travis Head, returning from a rest, lasted just 7 balls for 2 before edging Kagiso Rabada to gully. Josh Inglis fell in the next over, caught at point off George Linde, and captain Mitchell Marsh departed for 13 in the fourth over, pulling Rabada to square leg.
David and Green then mounted a counter-attack. Green blazed 35 from just 13 balls, with four fours and three sixes, before falling to Lungi Ngidi. While wickets continued to tumble at the other end, David held firm, racing to a fifty in 29 balls and punishing the South African bowlers with powerful hitting.
Mphaka was the pick of the South African attack with 4 for 20, while Rabada finished with 2 wickets.