Cricket Highlights, August 10: South Africa tour of Australia 2025 (1st T20I) – AUS vs SA

AUS vs SA (1st T20I) – Highlights

Darwin witnessed Australia painting the scoreboard with a 17-run gap, leaving South Africa grasping at thin air. It was a thrilling encounter that showcased the explosive batting prowess of Australia’s Tim David, whose match-winning innings set the tone for the home side’s strong total of 178 runs. Despite a spirited fightback from South Africa, they fell short at 161 for 9 in their 20 overs.

Australia’s innings began on a shaky note with early wickets falling to South African pacers Kagiso Rabada and Kwena Maphaka. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head were dismissed cheaply, leaving Australia reeling at 16 for 2 inside just over three overs. However, the arrival of Cameron Green injected much-needed momentum. Green blasted 35 runs off only 13 balls, including three towering sixes, swinging the innings back in Australia’s favor.

But the real star of the innings was Tim David, who came to the crease with the team needing stability and acceleration. David’s innings was a masterclass in power-hitting and controlled aggression. He smashed 83 runs off just 52 deliveries, with eight sixes and four fours, finishing with an impressive strike rate of nearly 160. His ability to clear the boundary at will put enormous pressure on the South African bowlers, especially Kwena Maphaka, who was the most successful bowler with four wickets but could not contain David’s onslaught.

Australia’s lower order contributed valuable runs to push the total beyond 175. Playing a measured cameo, Dwarshuis scored 17 runs, and Ellis added 12 before a significant runout brought his innings to a close. Extras also helped Australia build a competitive total, with nine wides and two no-balls proving costly for South Africa.

In reply, South Africa’s innings started like a bomb when their captain Aiden Markram went after Josh Hazlewood’s opening over, scoring 12 runs off 6 balls at an incredible strike rate of 200. After Markram’s early dismissal, caught by Cameron Green from Hazlewood, Ryan Rickelton brought stability to the middle order. Rickelton played a superb innings, scoring 71 from 55 balls with seven fours and a six, which kept South Africa in the chase late in the innings.

Tristan Stubbs also impressed with 37 runs off 27 balls, providing aggressive support and building partnerships. But wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. The South African middle and lower order struggled to maintain the momentum, with several players dismissed cheaply, including Dewald Brevis and George Linde.In the death overs, Zampa and Dwarshuis spun a tight spell, grabbing key wickets and curbing the run flow to disrupt South Africa’s chase.

Josh Hazlewood was the standout bowler for Australia, finishing with three wickets for 27 runs in four overs, showcasing his accuracy and control. Backing the attack, Dwarshuis secured three wickets as Zampa claimed two important dismissals to disrupt crucial stands. South Africa’s bowling was led by Maphaka’s four wickets, but they could not back that up with tight runs, which proved costly.

Australia vs South Africa Scoreboard

Australia – 178 (20)

South Africa – 161/9 (20)

Result – Australia won by 17 runs

Player of the Match – Tim David

Tim David

AUS vs SA Playing XIs