HIGHLIGHTS Australia vs South Africa, South Africa in Australia 3 T20I Series 2025, 1st T20- Result, Scorecard

A fairly bizarre match comes to a close. Australia started like a runaway train which had lost its brakes and through one man standing, bailed themselves out of a deep hole. There will be debates as to whether their batting approach is or was valid, depending on how the results go for them. South Africa won't be too disappointed with their bowling but will believe that this match could have had a different result, had their fielding been better. Also, can / could their batters go harder? Just 2 sixes in the entire innings, with half of those coming from a number 9, Kagiso Rabada. There will be discussions on those but most importantly, as per the on-air commentators, the same pitch will be used for the second T20I. There was enough evidence to suggest that the pitch does slow down as the game progresses, but then, due to the heat, there is a lot of dew in the night. Should the captain winning the toss bat first or stick to chasing? Do tune in to find out on Tuesday, 12th August, 2025, when the second T20I will be played. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 0915 GMT but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. Till then, you can catch the action from the West Indies-Pakistan ODIs. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of Australia, MITCHELL MARSH, is all smiles and calls it a great way to start the series. Is humble enough to say that it was because of the amazing display with the ball. On his side winning 9 T20Is in a row, making it THE MOST BY ANY AUSSIE SIDE, bettering their previous best of 8 consecutive victories in 2024, Marsh says that he did not know. Says that it is nice and that's all he has to say! On his batters' thought process, Mitchell admits that the plan was to go hard as that's what we see across other teams as they just keep on going. Adds that you do want someone to bat through but at the same time, you have guys like Tim David who can change the game from any situation. Eventually, he puts it down to how the batters execute their plans. On the dew, the Bison says that there was some serious dew. Details that the Aussie bowlers had their issues and calls it an outstanding effort by all to first, keep Australia in the game and eventually, win it for the side.

The captain of South Africa, AIDEN MARKRAM, on the match going down to the wire, admits that it did get close and doesn't think that his side was pretty far from being at its best. Accepts that the players need to do a bit of learning in the next 24-48 hours and try and achieve a positive result on Tuesday (2nd T20I). On Kwena Maphaka, Markram is impressed with the youngster as well, detailing that he kept it simple, bowled it in the right areas and that's pretty much what anyone can ask from him.

Australia's TIM DAVID HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his swashbuckling 83 (52), studded with 4 fours and 8 sixes. Calls it a special win for the team. On the all-out approach by all the Aussie batters, David agrees that they did go pretty hard and lost wickets but also adds that it is not too often that so many batters miss out. So, is confident that in the next game, someone or the other will step up. On his own knock, Tim says that his plan also was to go hard and feels lucky that it came off.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Slightly better template, but can even get better for the Proteas. Since the final of the last T20 World Cup, as per the commentators on air, South Africa rank number 8 in getting runs in the Powerplay. Here also, they managed just 48 runs and also lost 3 wickets in the process. The fact that despite a slow start, they got back into the game through a brilliant 72-run stand between Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs shows their batting depth. It is just about tweaking a bit at the top and going probably, a bit harder. Sadly, for them, only those two gentlemen stood out, able to cross 35, in an innings which had just 5 batters in double digits. Rickelton tried to bat till the end but it was too much for him, with the pitch slowing down and the Aussies changing the pace very well. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

South Africa's bowling exploits were mirrored by Australia pretty nicely. Josh Hazlewood stuck to his task early on, picking up 3 wickets while Ben Dwarshuis is raising his hand up to be picked in that World Cup squad next year, picking up another 3-wicket haul after his 3/41 against West Indies rcently, in the 5th T20I. His young T20I career reads 16 wickets at an impressive average of 18.62. Nathan Ellis was the most expensive of the lot but that's more because of the batters chancing their arms. He has become a master of variation and kept the Africans guessing. The fact that despite the dew, Mitchell Marsh was able to bowl 20 overs with 5 bowlers would have pleased him.

Cannot blame South Africa's bowlers much. Yes, they did concede 71 in the Powerplay, but bounced back superbly to concede just 107 in the next 14 overs. It was all about that one dropped catch of Tim David which made the difference. Actually, they had spilled one of Travis Head early on and another one of David just a ball before his dismissal, which did not matter much. So it can be said that fielding let them down big time. Young Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers with 4/20 in 4 overs while Corbin Bosch had an off evening.

19 (9). This was Tim David's score when Glenn Maxwell was dismissed in the 8th over and Ben Dwarshuis had just arrived at the crease. He ended up scoring 64 in his next 42 balls, before getting out on the 43rd. He smashed 8 sixes in his knock, while the whole of South Africa managed just two big hits. There was a moment on 15.3 though - David had miscued one off Senuran Muthusamy, only to be let off by Tristan Stubbs. He was on 56 at that time, while Australia were 136/7. The next 27 balls yielded 42 runs. Who knows what might have happened had that catch been taken.

Darwin was hosting international cricket for the first time since 2008 and there was always some doubt over how the pitch would play. The South Africans seemed to size up the deck well early on, as they resorted to hitting the deck with slower balls. Australia, primarily due to reckless batting, were reduced to 75/6, but even from there, they found hope through Tim David who took them to a competitive 178.

6th consecutive win for Australia over South Africa in T20Is. 9th consecutive win and 10th unbeaten T20I in a row for the Aussies overall. They were tottering at one stage and had no business in winning this game but pure muscle has managed to help them earn a 1-0 lead in this 3-match series.

Ben Dwarshuis to Kagiso Rabada, OUT! BOWLED! Third wicket for Dwarshuis and he ends the match with a scalp. A length ball, directed at the stumps, from over the wicket, outside off, Kagiso Rabada swings for the heavens but connects with thin air, missing the ball completely. The ball hits the stumps and the zing bails go alight. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 17 RUNS!

Ben Dwarshuis to Kwena Maphaka, A short ball, outside off, Maphaka looks to pull but gets a top edge which lands near square leg. A single taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to Kwena Maphaka, DROPPED, but it won't matter. A length ball, around middle, Kwena Maphaka whips it towards deep backward square leg. Adam Zampa charges in from the ropes but with the ball dipping on him, he is unable to hold on. Puts the ball down and nearly twists his ankle in his followthrough. Two runs taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to Kwena Maphaka, Serves it on a full length and outside off, Kwena Maphaka drills it towards mid off for another dot delivery. This is turning out to be a brilliant last over from Ben Dwarshuis.

Kwena Maphaka walks in next, at number 10, replacing Ryan Rickelton.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, OUT! The catch is legal and Glenn Maxwell does wonders on the field once again! Absolutely brilliant from Maxi near the long on fence, and it is almost done for the Proteas. Dwarshuis bowls into the pitch, a pace-off delivery, around middle and off, Ryan Rickelton waits back and heaves it away to clear off the long on fence, but there is Maxi prowling over there. He waits till the last moment, for the ball to come and then flings himself to take the catch mid air, outside the boundary. Also, realizing where he was, he has the presence of mind to throw the ball up in the air before landing and then come back inside the boundary rope to hold on in the second attempt! Rickelton is disappointed but also happy to trust Maxwell's celebrations and is walking off. However, the onfield umpire wants to have that checked. The third umpire is called into play and sure enough, the Big Show has indeed put on a big show! Rickelton departs for a fabulous 71 (55) but sadly for him, it won't be enough to take his side home.

Taken? Has Maxi taken a screamer? Or has his foot touched the ropes? Rickelton is happy to go but the third umpire is checking this. And it indeed is a screamer!

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, A brilliant delivery from Ben to start off the final over! Slower one, bowls into the pitch, and Ryan Rickelton gets completely deceived by this and has to hold back his shot, as it hits him high on the bat. A dot to start off.

Ben Dwarshuis will bowl the final over. 20 to defend. 3-0-23-1 for Dwarshuis so far.

Nathan Ellis to Kagiso Rabada, A low full toss, around off, Kagiso Rabada slaps it through the covers for a couple.16 from the over as Nathan Ellis finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-44-0!

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, The yorker is perfect this time. Wide outside off, well inside the wide guideline, Ryan manages to dig it out to deep third for a run.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, WIDE! Pressure on Ellis as he bowls it miles outside off! Rickelton tries to reach out but misses.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Second boundary in the over! Full and wide outside off, Ryan Rickelton reaches out and carves it behind point! The stand moves to 31 from just 15 balls.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, Keeps it full and around off, Ryan Rickelton waits back and steers it late towards the left of deep third for a couple more.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, Slower one, goes slightly full and outside off, Ryan Rickelton drives it firmly to the right of deep extra covers and runs a two.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Edged away past the keeper! Delivers it on a good length, shapes away with the angle and around off, RR looks to heave that away on the leg side, but the ball flies off the outside edge and beats the keeper to reach the fence.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, A slower-ball bouncer, around middle, Ryan heaves it towards Glenn Maxwell at long on, who gets it on the bounce. Another single. A remarkable display from Josh Hazlewood again - 4-0-27-3!

Josh Hazlewood to Kagiso Rabada, Around off, sliced towards cover for a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Around middle, Ryan Rickelton whips it through mid-wicket and takes the single. Contrary to Tim David earlier in the Australian innings, Rickelton believes in rotating the strike and trusting his partner. 39 more needed from 14 balls.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Lands it on a full and outside off, keeps it out of the reach this time, Ryan Rickelton goes for it and slices it down to deep third. Refuses to take the single.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, SIX! That's huge from Ryan Rickelton! Serves it on a length and around middle, comes near a good waist height, Ryan Rickelton waits back and launches it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, A gentle appeal for LBW, but turned down by the umpire! Spears it on a full length and targets the pads, RR misses the flick and wears it on the pads. Maybe, the ball pitched outside leg.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl out. 3-0-18-3 so far.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, 50 FOR RICKELTON! In 43 balls! His second in T20Is. Magnificent innings. Full and wide outside off, Ryan Rickelton throws his bat at it and gets a healthy outside edge towards deep third. Takes the run. 10 from the over.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, WIDE. A full toss, miles outside off, left alone.

Nathan Ellis to Kagiso Rabada, Around middle and off, swung through mid-wicket for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Kagiso Rabada, On a length, outside off, slanting away, Kagiso Rabada slashes hard but misses.

Nathan Ellis to Kagiso Rabada, SIX! KG deposits it in the crowd. Ellis goes shorter again, around the right shoulder, Rabada rides the bounce and flat-bats it over the square leg fence for a maximum!

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, Goes a bit shorter this time, around the hips, Ryan Rickelton pulls that firmly down to deep square leg for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, Completely deceives RR with this delivery. Ryan Rickelton tries to make some room, outside off and Nathan Ellis intercepts it early and pitches it wide outside off for a dot delivery.

Kagiso Rabada walks in next, at number 9, replacing Senuran Muthusamy. Nathan Ellis is back on as well. 2-0-18-0 so far.

Adam Zampa to Senuran Muthusamy, OUT! LBW! Full, around off, Senuran Muthusamy looks to play the reverse sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. Zampa appeals and the umpire raises his finger. Muthusamy has a chat with his partner and takes the review. It goes wasted as Ball Tracking projects it to be hitting the off stump. Two in two for Zampa as Muthusamy gets a first baller. From 120/3, South Africa are now 123/7! Equation - 56 runs, 24 balls.

Senuran Muthusamy walks in next, at number 8, replacing Corbin Bosch.

Adam Zampa to Corbin Bosch, OUT! BOWLED! Terrific delivery. The googly, outside off, Corbin Bosch looks to cut again but the ball pitches and jags back in, beats the bat and hits the off stump! Bosch comes and goes for 2 (4) and from 120/3, South Africa are now 123/6! Equation - 56 runs, 25 balls.

Adam Zampa to Corbin Bosch, Outsiude off, cut straight to point.

Adam Zampa to Corbin Bosch, Short, outside off, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.

Adam Zampa to Corbin Bosch, Around off, pushed towards cover.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, On middle, worked through the leg side for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to George Linde, OUT! CAUGHT! Second wicket in the over! On a length, around off, angling away, George Linde pushes through the line yet again. This time, the ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to Glenn Maxwell at first slip. Excellent captaincy from Mitchell Marsh to have a slip in the first place. Linde departs for a 3-ball duck and from 120/3, South Africa are now 120/5! Equation - 59 runs from 30 balls.

Josh Hazlewood to George Linde, Short and around off, Linde punches it down the ground but Hazlewood dives to his right to stop the ball.

Josh Hazlewood to George Linde, Around off, a push and a miss.

George Linde walks in next, at number 6, replacing Tristan Stubbs.

Josh Hazlewood to Tristan Stubbs, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Hazlewood breaks the 72-run stand. A short ball, outside off, Tristan Stubbs looks to pull, but the ball comes in and takes the inner edge of the bat. Goes through to the keeper, where Josh Inglis makes no mistake. Second wicket for Hazlewood as Stubbs departs for 37 (27). South Africa are 120/4 in 14.3 overs and need another 59 from 33 balls!

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Short, outside off, slapped behind point for a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Bowls it wide outside the off, Ryan Rickelton looks to reach out for that but misses.

Josh Hazlewood returns. 2-0-17-1 so far.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, On middle, punched down to long on for a run.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Down the leg side, helped towards square leg for a single.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Landed outside off, Tristan Stubbs backs away and slaps this over cover for a boundary!

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Very full, around off, drilled through mid on for a couple.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Full, outside off, Tristan Stubbs slogs this to the right of long on. The fielder rishes to his right but the ball beats him into the ropes.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, Bowls it full and outside off, Ryan Rickelton drills it down to long off for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Short, outside off, Tristan Stubbs looks to cut but gets a bottom edge on the off side. 10 from the over, 21 in the last 2. 4-0-29-1 for Glenn Maxwell. Excellent work, given the dew.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, A touch short, around off, Rickelton goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Outside off, punched through the covers for another couple.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Nearly drops it halfway into the pitch, going down the leg, Ryan Rickelton gets on his knees and helps it fine to beat the short fine for a boundary.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Nearly drops it halfway into the pitch, going down the leg, Ryan Rickelton gets on his knees and helps it fine to beat the short fine for a boundary.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Dishes it on a good length and around off, Stubbs rocks back and punches it to deep cover for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Around off, slower ball, sticks on the surface, Tristan pushes it past the bowler through mid on for a single. 11 from the over, 2-0-18-0 for Nathan Ellis so far.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, EDGED, FOUR! A bit lucky but Stubbs and the Proteas will take it. On a length, outside off, Stubbs pushes hard at it, aiming for a run on the off side. But the ball comes in, takes the inside edge and shoots past the leg stump, into the fine leg fence!

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! A boundary after 14 balls! That will help the cause of the chase. On a length, around off, angling in, Tristan Stubbs whips it over mid-wicket and the ball races to the fence! The stand moves to 43 (35). 88 more needed from 50 balls.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, Over the wicket. Length delivery, across the batter, around the middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton drills it down to the mid on fielder, who does a good job to get his hand on it. They run a single, as the ball rolls past him.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Pace off delivery, into the pitch and outside off, Stubbs slaps it down to long on for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Goes full and outside off, Stubbs strides forwards and plays it out to covers.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, Pitches the ball up on the middle stump, Rickelton clears the front leg and hits through the line, hammering it to the right of long on for a couple of runs more. 94 needed now in 54 balls.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, Rickelton backs away early and Ben follows him with a slower short ball. Rickelton adjusts and pulls it in between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. Cameron Green and Adam Zampa both run across and nearly collide as the batters complete two runs.

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, Length again and on off, punched away on the up and towards deep cover for a single.

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, Nicely bowled! Relatively full and on middle, Ben Dwarshuis gets this one to lift off the deck. Stubbs makes room to drive but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, Pitches it up fuller and angles it into the legs, Rickelton stays leg side of the ball and swings across the line but misses. The ball thuds into the pads and rolls into the off side as the batters collect a leg bye.

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, Full of a good length and on the pads, tucked away towards square leg for a single by Stubbs.

Ben Dwarshuis is back on. 2-0-17-1 so far.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, Full and on leg, Ryan Rickelton uses his feet to come down the pitch and eases it wide of long on for a couple of runs. 9 off the over.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, Fired in at the stumps, Rickelton jams the ball into the deck and it bounces up but Zampa leaps up to collect it nicely.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, Drags it a bit short now and over off, this is hit across to mid-wicket. Another dot.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Full and around off, almost in the blockhole, driven away to deep cover for a single.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Straighter line, worked away past square leg for a couple of runs as there is a big gap over there and the keeper has to chase it down.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Oh, that has nearly cleaned Adam Zampa up! Tossed up, full and on off, Tristan Stubbs backs away and drills it straight back. Zampa sticks out a right hand and the ball just flicks the thumb, racing away down the ground for a boundary. That could have been a nasty blow but Zampa escapes unscathed. The replays show that the ball might have just clipped the stumps and the umpire's trousers as well. How rare is that?

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, Hard-length delivery over middle, 135 kph, Rickelton backs away and cuts it straight to backward point.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! No chance for Adam Zampa to cut that one off. Pace off again, short and at the body, Rickelton adjusts well and waits before pulling it down to the right of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Hard length around off, jammed down into the off side for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, Another slower ball of back-of-the-hand variety, full and on off. Rickelton has to wait for it before driving it down to long off for one more.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Good length again, pace on this time and on middle and leg, clipped away off the legs through backward square leg for a run.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Ellis begins with a slower ball, at 111.5 clicks and lands it on a good length around middle. Tristan Stubbs pushes it off the inside half of the blade down to mid on.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, The wrong'un now, speared in at the pads, Stubbs works it away past square leg for a single.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Flatter delivery, a bit full and around off, Stubbs leans and pushes it towards extra cover.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, Could Nathan Ellis have gone for that catch? Difficult to say, especially with the low floodlights, not easy to pick the lofted ball right away. On a fullish length, Rickelton sits down to sweep and gets it on the bounce to the incoming Ellis at deep backward square leg and picks up a single.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! A bit of a top edge but gets away with it. Floated up at the stumps, Rickelton brings out the reverse sweep and gets it uppishly to the right of short third and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Drags the length right back and bowls it on off and middle, Stubbs rocks back and jams it out past point for one more.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, Starts off with a tossed-up delivery on middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton sweeps it in the air and over the square leg region for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Flighted ball outside off, Rickelton reaches out again and drives it uppishly through the point region for just another single.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Flattens it up now, darting it towards the off stump, Tristan Stubbs gets taken aback as the ball skids through farily low and pushes it out through cover for one.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Tosses this one up on leg stump, Rickelton works it away wide of mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Wide! Floats this one full and down the leg side, Rickelton looks to sweep but misses and a wide is given. Josh Inglis makes a stifled appeal for caught behind but the umpire doesn't entertain it.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Full and well outside off, Rickelton reaches out to drive but can't get it through the cover region.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Shorter in length and outside off, Tristan Stubbs extends his arms and slaps the ball away through cover-point for one more. 50 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA, 129 more needed from 82 balls!

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Flatter one, darted in towards middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton backs away and pulls it to deep mid-wicket.

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, Full and straight, defended down the pitch. 6 runs and a wicket from the over, South Africa finish their Powerplay on 48/3. Australia were 71/4.

Tristan Stubbs walks in next, at number 5, replacing Dewald Brevis.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, OUT! CAUGHT! Smart bowling. Pace off, outside off, fuller in length, angling away, Dewald Brevis looks to go big on the leg side but ends up skying this high in the air. The ball does not have any distance and the substitute fielder, Sean Abbott, takes it calmly at cover. Brevis departs for 2 (6) and South Africa are 48/3 after 5.5 overs, needing another 131 from 85 balls!

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, Outside off, slapped straight to backward point where there is a fumble but no run is taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, On a length, outside off, slanting away, Dewald Brevis slashes hard but misses.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, FIVE WIDES! A wild bouncer, on middle, Brevis lets it go and poor Josh Inglis cannot get there even with a leap. The ball races to the fence behind.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, Around off, punched towards mid off.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, Around middle, pulled to deep backward square leg for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Dewald Brevis, Around off, punched back to the bowler. Just 3 runs from the over, to boot with a wicket as well. 2-0-13-1 for Glenn Maxwell so far.

Glenn Maxwell to Dewald Brevis, Landed outside off, Dewald Brevis backs away and looks to go inside out. Ends up slicing it over point and gets a couple.

Dewald Brevis walks in next, at number 4, replacing Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

Glenn Maxwell to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT! So Maxwell does get one of the left-handers. Pretorius might consider himself unlucky. There was only that one man in the deep on the off side and he has found him to perfection. Full, outside off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius backs away and looks to go inside out. But Mitchell Owen is stationed at wide long off and the ball goes straight to him! Pretorius departs for 14 (9) and South Africa are 40/2, needing another 139 from 82 balls.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Down the leg side again, Rickelton misses his sweep and is hit on the pads.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Full, down the leg side, Ryan Rickelton looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Change of ends for Glenn Maxwell. 1-0-10-0 so far.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, Slower ball, around off, coming in, Ryan waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it towards backward point for a quick single. 11 from Dwarshuis' opener.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, Around off, on a length, eased straight to cover.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR MORE! A tad short, around off, Rickelton pulls it over square leg and gets consecutive boundaries!

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Up and over! On a length, around middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton swings this over mid on for a boundary!

Ben Dwarshuis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, JUST SHORT! On middle and leg, Lhuan-dre Pretorius whips it uppishly towards deep backward square leg. The fielder comes charging in and dives but the ball lands just short of him. A run taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, DIRECT HIT WOULD HAVE HAD PRETORIUS! On a length, outside off, Ryan Rickelton pushes it behind point and calls his partner through for a quick single. Lhuan-dre Pretorius responds but so does Glenn Maxwell, who races to his right from backward point. Gets to the ball and fires a throw at the striker's end. Pretorius tries to stretch his bat in but his willow gets stuck on the pitch outside the crease! Luckily for him, the throw misses the stumps!

Will Maxi get another? No, he doesn't. Ben Dwarshuis comes into the attack.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, A length ball, outside off, angling away, Lhuan-dre Pretorius jumps down the track and looks to slap. But the pace is taken off and the shot is through early. The ball goes off the toe end of the bat towards mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On middle and leg, LdP clips it straight to short mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Around middle and leg, angling in, Pretorius works it off the inner half of the bat towards short mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Fine shot again. Fractionally short, around middle, Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets on top of the bounce, swivels and pulls it all along the ground through mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Around off, punched towards mid off for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, A short ball, around middle, Ryan Rickelton looks to pull but misses.

Glenn Maxwell to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Lovely shot. Deadly silence. Landed outside off, Pretorius punches this through the covers and finds the boundary. 11 from the over, 23 in the first 2! 156 more needed from 108 balls.

Glenn Maxwell to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Comes down the track and hits this through the covers for a couple.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Umpire's call on hitting! Jeez, never looked that close to the naked eye. The arm ball, around middle, skidding through, Ryan Rickelton looked to work it to the leg side but missed and was hit on the pads. Maxwell was the only bloke appealing for LBW but the umpire turned it down. Marsh trusted his bowler and went for the review. It seemed to be heading down the leg side but Ball Tracking returns umpire's call in terms of hitting the wickets. A bail trimmer. Meanwhile, a leg bye was taken amidst all that.

Review time! Glenn Maxwell believes he has his man and has convinced his skipper to take the review for LBW. Hmmm.. much closer than it actually appeared initially. Umpire's call - saves someone. Either Rickelton, or Australia's review - whichever way you look at it.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Short, around off, Ryan Rickelton backs away and punches it towards cover.

Glenn Maxwell to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Around middle and off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets down and paddles it over short fine leg. Adam Zampa gives it a good chase from the circle and gets to the ball, diving and pushing it back in. Three runs taken.

Glenn Maxwell to Ryan Rickelton, Full, on middle, flicked straight to square leg.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius walks in next, at number 3, replacing his skipper, Aiden Markram. Glenn Maxwell will share the new ball.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, OUT! CAUGHT! The Hoff does have the last laugh! After conceding three boundaries in 5 balls, a bowler usually looks to get out of the over without much damage. But Hazlewood is brave and lands it on a length, outside off. Aiden Markram looks to punch it on the up, through the off side, but cannot keep it down. Hits it straight to Cameron Green at cover, who takes the catch and then does a 'duckwalk' as a kind of celebration. 3 fours and a wicket from the opening over, as Markram departs for 12 (6) and South Africa are 12/1 after 1 over, needing another 167 from 114 balls!

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, FOUR! THUMP! Third boundary in the over! This is fractionally short, outside off, Markram picks the length in a trice, rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket. 167 more needed from 115 balls.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Just a flick of the wrists! Too straight, on middle and leg, Aiden Markram whips it over mid-wicket for the second boundary of the over.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, Similar ball, but this one is stopped. On a length, outside off, Aiden punches it straight to cover.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, FOUR! What a shot. Sadly, it meets deadly silence from the crowd. On a length, outside off, Markram comes forward and threads it through the covers for the first boundary of the chase.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, On a good length, outside off, 134.5 kph, Aiden Markram defends it watchfully.