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

The players are back on the field. In the second T20I, Australia folded up for 165 on a much better pitch, attempting to chase 219. This is a tougher pitch to bat on and even though their side is packed with hitters, they all are ones who like the ball coming onto the bat. Someone will either have to play a blinder, like Brevis, or bat till the end in the top 3. The Proteas take their positions in the field, with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head as the openers for Australia. It will be Kagiso Rabada to start things off to Marsh. Let's resume!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

If we closely look at the bowling card of Australia, barring Aaron Hardie, who was taken to the cleaners for 27 runs in an over, everyone bowled decently. Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa shared two apiece while Nathan Ellis bagged three to his name. Clearly the pace off tactic and bashing the ball into the pitch, have worked in Australia's favor, as maximum wickets fell against those lengths. South Africa might feel that they left 20-25 runs with the way they were cruising in that middle phase, but the surface is still a mystery box and the way the Proteas bowled in the previous game, they will take a lot of inspiration from that. Also, remember, South Africa are yet to defeat Australia in a series of three T20Is. So, a lot is at stake. We shall be right back with the run chase on the other side. Stay tuned.

After the Powerplay, Dewald Brevis switched to overdrive mode with a burst of clean, authoritative hitting, racing to his fifty and powering South Africa's scoring rate. Dropped on 9, he made Australia pay in full, smoking it to all parts while Stubbs anchored with quiet composure. For a while, the two-paced pitch seemed to lose its sting as the partnership flourished. But once Brevis departed, the innings nosedived. The fluency vanished, and, fairly, no one else could quite find the middle of the bat. Australia clawed back with precision. Zampa’s wrong 'uns and leggies found just enough grip to stir a few gasps. From a dominant 110/3, South Africa slumped to 138/6, and tellingly, only two overs, the final two, after Brevis’ wicket, managed to reach double figures.

South Africa were jolted early as Markram fell to Hazlewood in the first over on a two-paced wicket. Timing proved elusive, with the ball occasionally skidding through and at other times holding up a bit. Pretorius arrived with intent, struck a few boundaries, and briefly lifted the tempo, but couldn’t stay long. Both sides traded punches early doors, as just 19 runs came off the first three overs before a burst of 27 in the next three hinted at a momentum shift at the end of the Powerplay.

Good score? Under par? That's surely the question circling in our minds after seeing what happened in the first innings. Australia might feel that they did a good job of restricting the Saffas below 200. There was no clear consensus on what a par score might be on this alien surface, and it certainly wasn’t as easy to bat on as Brevis made it seem. At one stage, South Africa looked set to cruise past 200 without breaking a sweat, but the wheels just came off midway through the innings, and the acceleration stalled.

Nathan Ellis to Kagiso Rabada, FOUR! Up and over! Why to farm the strike when Rabada is around? A short ball outside off, Kagiso Rabada reaches out and slaps it over cover for a boundary! 21 in the last 2 overs and SOUTH AFRICA FINISH ON 172/7!

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, Takes the single this time. Short in length, around off, Rassie reaches out and slaps it through mid off for one.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, Full, on middle, van der Dussen looks to flick but gets a leading edge behind point. Does not take the single.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, WIDE. Full, outside off, going way off the pitch from around the wicket, Rassie van der Dussen slashes hard but misses.

Nathan Ellis to Kagiso Rabada, Full, outside off, Kagiso Rabada swings for the heavens but misses. The batters go for the bye and the keeper, Josh Inglis, lobs it to the bowler, thinking he will run Rabada out at his end but Ellis does not throw.

Kagiso Rabada walks in next, at number 9, replacing Senuran Muthusamy.

Nathan Ellis to Senuran Muthusamy, OUT! CAUGHT! Another wicket falls to the short ball. Fourth, as per our calculations - Markram, Pretorius, Brevis and now Muthusamy. This is around off, Muthusamy goes for the pull but is done in by the bounce. Gets a top edge which flies in the air and Josh Hazlewood is stationed at short fine leg. But he makes a real meal of this and just about catches it to his right, with the ball going away from him. Those big buckets trap the ball. Muthusamy departs for 9 (8) and from 110/3, South Africa are now 165/7. 4 balls left.

Nathan Ellis to Senuran Muthusamy, EDGED, FOUR! South Africa will take how they come. A length ball, outside off, Senuran Muthusamy throws his hands at it and gets a thick outside edge, which flies through the vacant slip region to the deep third fence.

Ben Dwarshuis to Senuran Muthusamy, Slower ball, down the leg side, Senuran Muthusamy looks to access the leg side with a massive free real estate from deep square leg. But he ends up playing ay too early and the ball goes off the back of the bat to deep backward square leg. Just a single. 10 from the over, Ben Dwarshuis finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-37-0.

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, A short ball again, this time Rassie slaps the pull to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! HAMMERED! A short ball, outside off, angling away, Rassie van der Dussen comes down the track and slaps it over cover for a boundary!

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, A short ball now, pulled straight to short mid-wicket.

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, Down the leg side, helped through square leg for another couple.

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, From around the wicket, a low full toss on leg stump, Rassie van der Dussen is backing away to the leg side but ends up chipping it towards mid-wicket. There is no one there and Dwarshuis himself runs after the ball. Cameron Green comes in running from somewhere and Dwarshuis backs off. And then, Green attempting for a javelin throw of 100 metres, with Tim David eagerly waiting at the bowler's end, releases the hand rather than the ball and it drops down beside him. Two runs taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to bowl the 19th over. 3-0-27-0 so far.

Nathan Ellis to Senuran Muthusamy, Backs away to the leg side, does Muthusamy and Ellis angles this away from him, from outside off. Muthusamy slashes but misses.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, On a length, around off, van der Dussen clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Nathan Ellis to Senuran Muthusamy, A short ball now, Senuran Muthusamy pulls it towards deep backward square leg for a run. 150 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA. 14 balls left.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, On a length, outside off, steered behind point for a single.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, Full, around off, clipped through mid on for a couple.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, MISFIELD, FOUR! That's shoddy from the skipper. Full, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen drives it to the left of mid off. Mitchell Marsh gets across to his left and bends but the ball goes right through the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which seems to have been built just now in Cairns. Escapes to the ropes behind.

Nathan Ellis returns. 2-0-12-2 so far.

Josh Hazlewood to Senuran Muthusamy, Short, outside off, slashed behind point where a good piece of fielding saves the boundary. Two runs taken. A wicket and 4 runs from the over, 8/2 in the last 2 overs.

Josh Hazlewood to Rassie van der Dussen, On middle and leg, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Senuran Muthusamy, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Senuran Muthusamy, On a length, outside off, Senuran Muthusamy punches it towards point.

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

Josh Hazlewood to Corbin Bosch, OUT! CAUGHT! Second wicket for Hazlewood. On a length, around off, angling in, Bosch tries to play a short-arm jab towards the leg side. Don't think he intended to find the boundary as there was barely any power or intent in that shot. But the timing was sweet and because there was no definite plan for either a boundary or a single, there was no clear intention to keep the ball down. He ends up hitting it much better than he would have wanted. The jab ends up straight into the hands of Nathan Ellis running in from deep mid-wicket. Bosch departs for 1 (4) and from 110/3, South Africa are now 138/6! 22 balls left.

Josh Hazlewood to Corbin Bosch, A yorker, on middle, Corbin Bosch digs it out nicely.

Josh Hazlewood is back on. 3-0-26-1 so far.

Adam Zampa to Corbin Bosch, Around off, bunted down to long off for a single. A wicket and just 4 runs from the over, Adam Zampa finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-24-2.

Adam Zampa to Corbin Bosch, Tossed up, around middle, driven down the ground but Zampa does well to make a half stop with a dive to his right.

Corbin Bosch walks in next, at number 7, replacing Tristan Stubbs.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, OUT! BOWLED! Zampa has his man. The pressure was building on Stubbs, who was itching to do something. Since Brevis' departure, he had faced just 9 balls prior to this delivery, out of the team's 23 and scored just 7 runs. Tries to pre-meditate, getting across and aiming the paddle but misses a straight ball from Zampa. The ball crashes into the stumps. Stubbs departs for a scratchy 25 (23) and from 110/3, South Africa are now 137/5. 26 balls left.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Tossed up slower through the air, outside off, Tristan Stubbs reaches out to clobber it through the leg side but misses.

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Tossed up, outside off, van der Dussen leans and drives it towards widish long off for a single.

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, The googly, around off, Rassie van der Dussen clips it through mid-wicket for a couple.

That's 88/2 in 9 overs of the middle phase. Adam Zampa to bowl out. 3-0-20-1 so far.

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, Miscommunication but all's well in the end. Full, around off, Rassie clips it through square leg and takes the single. Stubbs touches the other end and comes halfway down the track for the second but is sent back. The fielder charges in from fine leg but throws it at the wrong end, to the bowler. Maybe, he might have had a better chance, had he gone to the keeper.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, A full toss now, around off, Stubbs bunts it down to long on for a run.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Short, outside off, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and clips it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off, pushed towards long on for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, Full, around off, van der Dussen pushes it back to the bowler.

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! Is that a case of misjudgement? Full, around off, Rassie van der Dussen flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. Nathan Ellis is standing way too inside the boundary, nearly 15-20 yards and has to leap full stretch. The ball goes over his hands and meets the fence.

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off, punched through the covers for one more.

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, Off cutter, angling away outside off, Tristan jumps down the track and looks to heave, but gets it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. A single taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, Slower ball, on a length, worked through fine leg for a run.

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, A short ball, down the leg side, Stubbs looks to tuck it fine but misses. The ball goes off his thigh pads and escapes towards square leg. A leg bye taken.

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, Another misfield. On a length, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen punches it through the covers, where the fielder gets down but the ball goes through. Mitchell Marsh jogs after it from mid off, and manages to get to the ball with a slide near the ropes. Three runs taken. Clearly, he does not want to challenge his family history of hamstring issues.

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, A short ball, down the leg side, Tristan Stubbs pulls it towards long leg for a single.

Interesting. Talk about matchups. Nathan Ellis has now dismissed Dewald Brevis twice in 2 meetings in T20 cricket, in 5 balls, for just 3 runs! Seems like the stat paper was away from Marsh. Here's Ben Dwarshuis again. 2-0-20-0 so far.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Full, around off, Stubbs clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Beautifully flighted, outside off, slower through the air, Stubbs comes half forward to defend but is beaten on the outside edge.

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Short, outside off, punched through mid off for one.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Another quicker googly, outside off, Tristan Stubbs fetches it from the stumps and pushes it through the covers for a run.

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Down the leg side, van der Dussen works it through square leg for a single.

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Tossed up, on middle and leg, Rassie van der Dussen looks to flick but the ball holds on the surface a touch. Lobs off the face of the bat but drops down quickly on the pitch.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off, van der Dussen punches it through the covers for a run. A wicket and 5 runs from the over, Ellis' bowling figures read 2-0-12-2.

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, Full, on middle, Rassie van der Dussen flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple to get off the mark.

Rassie van der Dussen walks in next, at number 6, replacing Dewald Brevis.

Nathan Ellis to Dewald Brevis, OUT! CAUGHT! A stunner from Maxwell. It was he who had dropped Brevis when on 9. It is Maxwell who catches one to dismiss Brevis on 53. A terrific catch to end a terrific knock. Ellis goes for the bumper and Dewald Brevis tries to take him on. Goes for the pull but this one hits the bat on the higher side. As a result, while there is elevation, the distance is not the complete one, due to lack of clean contact. It goes to the right of wide long on but Glenn Maxwell charges across to his right and dives full stretch to take a blinder. The 61-run stand is broken And Ellis has his second. Brevis departs for a breathtaking 53 (26) and South Africa are 110/4 after 11.4 overs!

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Slower ball, on middle, Stubbs chips it down the ground to long on for a run.

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Full, outside off, Tristan Stubbs drives it towards cover.

Nathan Ellis to Dewald Brevis, Around the wicket straightaway, from Ellis, on a length, Dewald Brevis punches it towards sweeper cover for a single.

The runs are coming at will now. 39 in the last 2 overs. Nathan Ellis is back on. 1-0-7-1 so far.

Adam Zampa to Dewald Brevis, On middle, Brevis pushes it towards long on for one.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Outside off, pushed towards short third for a quick run.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Toyed away! Zampa dishes out a slider, on middle and full. Tristan Stubbs is quick to switch the stance and reverses it over backward point for a boundary.

Adam Zampa to Dewald Brevis, Short, outside off, Dewald Brevis stays leg side of the ball and punches it towards wide long off for a run.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, The googly, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! More runs! Fuller and flatter, on the stumps. Tristan Stubbs reverse sweeps it between backward point and cover for a boundary. The 100 is up for South Africa and the 50 partnership also comes up between Brevis and Stubbs!

Difficult to bat? Says who? Definitely not Brevis, who clobbered 26 runs in the previous over himself! Well, that over brings 200 back into reckoning for the Saffas. Or even more. Adam Zampa returns. 1-0-4-1 so far.

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! Sails just over! FIFTY FOR DEWALD BREVIS! IN JUST 22 BALLS! He is into the overdrive mode and hitting the ball just so cleanly. Wide on off on a shortish length, sits up nicely for the batter. Dewald Brevis throws his blade and brings the bottom hand to play once again. Lofts it over deep point. Nathan Ellis flings himself towards the ball in the deep, but falls over the ropes with the ball sailing behind him.

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, WIDE. Attempted slower ball goes awry, a bouncer, well over the head of Brevis who ducks.

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! The ball is just sailing over the fence! Another full ball from Hardie, a genuine half volley, around off. Dewald Brevis gets his bat under the ball and, with no intentions to keep it down, smokes it gun-barrel straight over the bowler for a monstrous six. A hat-trick of sixes for Dewald Brevis and he moves to 44 off just 21!

Concussion check? That ball has landed right on the head of one of the spectators. The ball has escaped beyond the fence after landing on his head and that would have been a painful blow. Hope that the gentleman is fine.

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! OUTTA HERE! Aaron stretches the length, goes full and on off. Dewald Brevis finds the ball in his wheelhouse and lofts it miles behind long on for a mammoth six.

This one won't come back for sure. It has gone onto the road! Out comes the fourth umpire with a box of replacement balls.

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! THAT HAS GONE MILES! He has been so productive in that region! Shoots in a length delivery, does Hardie, on the top of off. Dewald Brevis throws everything he has got in the tank. Pulls it off the middle and sails the ball on the roof, behind deep square leg. A no-look shot from Brevis as he holds his posture for a bit for the photographers.

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, Short, outside off, Brevis slaps it to the right of Ben Dwarshuis at deep point and charges back for the second.

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, On a length, outside off, Dewald Brevis looks to drive but this one holds off the deck. Goes off the inner half of the bat back to the bowler.

So far, we have seen 2 overs of spin. There is a hint of turn but the ball is not stopping onto the batters. Aaron Hardie is back on. 1-0-6-0 so far.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Quicker ball, the arm ball, outside off, 95.9 kph, Tristan Stubbs looks to drive but is beaten.

Glenn Maxwell to Dewald Brevis, Full, outside off, Brevis stays back and defends it past the bowler, for a run.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, JUST IN! Brilliant work from Travis Head, nonetheless! Flatter and fuller on the stumps, drifting in. Stubbs switches his stance and reverse sweeps it to pierce the backward point and short third gap. But Head, stationed at the former position, is quick to dive full stretch and stop the ball. The batters skate through to steal a single, and seeing Brevis struggling to make his ground, Head releases a rocket throw towards Josh Inglis. Brevis is forced to dive to drag his bat in as Inglis breaks the stumps in a snap. However, the replay shows that Brevis is just in.

Is that gone? There is a run out appeal against Dewald Brevis which has been referred upstairs. No celebrations in the Aussie camp and the first replay shows why. Brevis has dived into the crease before Inglis could even touch the stumps.

Glenn Maxwell to Dewald Brevis, Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Tossed up, outside off, Stubbs leans and punches it through mid off for a single.

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Full, outside off, Tristan Stubbs looks to sweep but gets a thick inside edge through square leg. Two runs taken.

What's in a misfield? Ask Dwarshuis. The first ball of the previous over was supposed to be a dot. One poor execution of fielding and the next 4 balls go for 11. That's why, every ball is so important. Here's Glenn Maxwell.

Josh Hazlewood to Tristan Stubbs, Landed around off, Stubbs punches it straight back. Hazlewood tries to get around to his right to stop the ball, gets down but the ball escapes through. Single taken.

Josh Hazlewood to Dewald Brevis, On a length, outside off, Dewald pushes it towards backward point in the deep for a run.

Josh Hazlewood to Dewald Brevis, SIX! TOP EDGE AND INTO THE STANDS! Shortish delivery, on the bodyline, nipping into the batter. Dewald Brevis swings to pull, but gets a top edge. However, the ball sails over deep backward square leg for half a dozen. In fact, that has gone into the stands.

Josh Hazlewood to Dewald Brevis, On a good length, around off, Brevis is tight in his defense.

Josh Hazlewood to Dewald Brevis, FOUR! Just gets it through! Almost a half tracker, outside off. Dewald Brevis gets the ball at good height and crunches it to the immediate left of Zampa stationed at backward point. That was hit with such ferocity that Zampa didn't get enough time to intercept.

Josh Hazlewood to Tristan Stubbs, On a length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs opens the face of his bat and guides it past a diving backward point. Actually, it was straight to the fielder but Ben Dwarshuis put in a lazy slide and the ball goes through. A single taken.

Good start by Zampa. 4 runs and a wicket to kickstart his night. Actually, he should have had both batters. Only if Maxwell had not slowed down while trying to take that catch. Josh Hazlewood returns. 2-0-13-1 so far.

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Wrong 'un to finish, outside off, Stubbs leans and drives it towards long off for a single. 50 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

Tristan Stubbs walks in next, at number 5, replacing Ryan Rickelton.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, OUT! STRAIGHT UP, AND TAKEN! Adam Zampa, who has quite a decent record in white ball cricket at this venue, strikes in his first over! Pushes it through, full and outside the off stump line. It is the googly and is not picked up off the hands of the bowler by Ryan Rickelton. He goes for the premeditated sweep shot, but the ball spins away and takes the top edge. It balloons up in the night sky, but just to the right of the keeper. Josh Inglis takes a few steps to his right, settles under it and gobbles up a regulation catch. South Africa lose their third wicket on 49. Ryan Rickelton departs for a run-a-ball 13.

Adam Zampa to Dewald Brevis, Short again, the googly this time, Dewald works it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Adam Zampa to Dewald Brevis, Short, outside off, slower through the air, Brevis rocks back and punches it straight to cover.

Adam Zampa to Ryan Rickelton, Full, on middle, Ryan Rickelton comes down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Adam Zampa to Dewald Brevis, IN THE AIR... Dropped! If anyone could have gotten to that ball, it was Glenn Maxwell, but he didn't manage to catch it. Dropped short from Zampa, on the stumps. Dewald Brevis hangs back and tries to pull it over the leg side, but ends up slicing it up miles in the air, to the left of long on. Glenn Maxwell runs to his left, puts in a dive, but rather than going for the catch with both hands, he sticks his left hand out and goes for a one-handed attempt, and puts it down. The batters cross over. Maxwell appears to be in some pain as he lands on his left shoulder, but eventually gets back on his feet and takes his position.

Seven boundaries and a six. That's 34 runs in 8 balls of the Powerplay. The remaining 28 balls yielded 12 runs and 2 wickets. Here's Adam Zampa.

Ben Dwarshuis to Ryan Rickelton, On a length, outside off, Ryan Rickelton punches it through the covers but cannot get it past Cameron Green. 7 from the over, 46/2 in the Powerplay!

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, Full, around off, DB pushes it towards mid off for a quick single.

Seems like we have lost the ball! Oh wait. Someone has managed to retrieve it from the roof.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, SIX! ON THE ROOF! That was six the moment he hit it! Ben Dwarshuis digs in a bumper, short and on the shoulder height of the batter. Dewald Brevis picks the length in a snap, positions himself well before swiveling and pulling it miles, on the roof behind deep square leg.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, Misses out again. Short and outside off, angling away, Dewald punches it away, but finds Cameron Green at cover.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, Just outside off, on a length, Brevis drives it beautifully, but finds cover.

Ben Dwarshuis to Dewald Brevis, Full and straight, Dewald Brevis drives it straight back. Dwarshuis bends to stop the ball and deflects it towards mid on.

Final over of the Powerplay.

Nathan Ellis to Dewald Brevis, Fuller delivery, in front of the sticks, Dewald Brevis plays with a straight bat and drives it to mid on for a single.

Reload. Ellis comes running in but at the time of delivering, loses his footing and bails out. Looks back at the place where his left foot landed.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, The pace is taken off the ball, on a length, on off, Ryan Rickelton waits and nudges it to the left of mid on for a quick single.

Nathan Ellis to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Edgy, but through the gap! Just around the off stump, on a good length. Ryan Rickelton taps the front foot on the crease but does not get to the pitch of the ball. Goes through the shot to access the off side, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball shoots to the left of the short third fielder for a boundary.

Nathan Ellis to Dewald Brevis, Full, on middle and leg, Dewald Brevis flicks it behind square leg for a single to get off the mark.

The hero of the previous game, Baby AB, Dewald Brevis, walks in next, at number 4, replacing Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

Nathan Ellis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, OUT! CAUGHT! Sometimes, your strength can be your weakness. Smart captaincy from Mitchell Marsh. It is well documented that Lhuan-dre Pretorius likes to play square on the leg side. So logically, captains might prefer to have a deep mid-wicket and give him the single. Instead, Marsh leaves deep mid-wicket open and keeps only one man inside the ring at square on the leg side. Ellis bowls it short and asks Pretorius to go for his favourite shot. The youngster obliges and pulls but neither does he go over the top, nor does he keep the ball down. Finds the only man at mid-wicket, where Aaron Hardie makes no mistake. The 30-run stand is broken and a disappointed Pretorius trudges off, after looking so good for 24 (15). South Africa are 32/2 after 4.2 overs.

Nathan Ellis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full, around off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets down on a knee to slog it to the leg side but is way too early into the shot and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

24 runs in the last 2 overs. Pretorius has scored 19 of those! Nathan Ellis to bowl now.

Ben Dwarshuis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Around off, on a good length, Lhuan-dre Pretorius pushes it to the right of the bowler, towards mid off and calls Ryan through for a single. The man at mid off collects the ball and releases a wayward throw to the keeper, where Inglis fails to collect. But with the backup fielder at short fine leg, the batters settle with a single.

Ben Dwarshuis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Intent! Short of a good length, on the stumps. Lhuan-dre Pretorius plays with a flat bat and drags it to the right of the diving mid on fielder for a boundary.

Ben Dwarshuis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Races away! That teased Josh Inglis all the way through the ropes! Onto the pads, on a length, Lhuan-dre Pretorius uses his wrists and tucks it behind to deep fine leg. The ball loses its steam a bit, and Josh Inglis gives a sprint to chase it down. However, the ball has got enough wheels to beat the Aussie keeper.

Ben Dwarshuis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Gives himself room this time, does Pretorius, and Dwarshuis bowls it outside off. Not wide, but just outside off. However, LdP is so far down the leg side that he cannot reach the ball.

Ben Dwarshuis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Lovely shot. Full and on middle and leg, Pretorius jumps down the track and chips it over the bowler for a boundary.

Ben Dwarshuis to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full, outside off, little bit of shape away, Lhuan-dre Pretorius pushes it defensively towards cover.

That previous over just got the Proteas a bit of a lift. Scoring two boundaries of Josh Hazlewood would have given the batters immense confidence. Time for Ben Dwarshuis.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On top of middle and off, on a tight line and length. Lhuan-dre Pretorius swivels in the crease and pulls it to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Geez, almost chopped on! Good-length delivery, outside off, Ryan Rickelton attempts to punch it into the off side, but gets a big inside edge and the ball dribbles past the stumps to the short fine leg region. They cross over.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, FOUR! Up and over! That in-between length, on middle and leg. Ryan Rickelton stands tall and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Not exactly off the middle of the blade just yet, but he gets it through.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Short, on middle and leg, Lhuan-dre pulls it behind square leg for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Not cleanly timed but will get the result. A length ball, around off, angling away, Pretorius looks to heave it over mid-wicket perhaps. But the ball kind of sticks onto the surface. As a result, he is early into the shot and miscues it over mid on. Finds the boundary. Interestingly, after playing that shot, he was looking straight up and thought he had top-edged that!

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a length, around leg and middle, extra bounce, Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets across but gets surprised by the bounce and pushes it back to the bowler.

Aaron Hardie to Ryan Rickelton, Play and a miss! Excellent over by Aaron Hardie! Keeps the line of attack outside off, on a yard behind fuller length. Ryan Rickelton with barely any footwork, pushes at the delivery and is beaten on the outside edge. Just 6 off that over.

Aaron Hardie to Ryan Rickelton, On a back of a length, outside off, Ryan Rickelton rises on the toes and mistimes his backfoot punch, a bit uppishly and on the bounce to mid off. Still, no proper timing off the bat.

Aaron Hardie to Ryan Rickelton, Angles across and outside off, on a good length. Ryan Rickelton plays from the crease and tries to cut it square on the off side, but the ball passes above his anged bat.

Aaron Hardie to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dropped short now, around middle and leg, LdP pulls it towards deep backward square leg for a run.

Aaron Hardie to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! FETCH THAT! No holding back from Pretorius. A length ball, around off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius swings this across the line and gets it over mid on for the first boundary of the game.

Aaron Hardie to Ryan Rickelton, Full, outside off, Ryan Rickelton leans and drives it to the right of mid off for a single.

Ummm... is this the reason why Marsh opted to bowl? Normally, batting is considered to be difficult at this venue. And looking at that opening over, where driving and punching seemed to be difficult, it is pretty confusing to even guage the deck. Maybe, Marsh did not want to take that risk and hence, wanted to see how South Africa go about their batting and learn accordingly. Here's Aaron Hardie for the first time in this series.

Josh Hazlewood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full and angled outside off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius works it to the off side. A successful opening over for Hazlewood and Australia.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius walks in next, at number 3, replacing his skipper, Aiden Markram.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Josh Hazlewood provides an early breakthrough with a ripper of a delivery! Hoff slams the deck hard and keeps it outside the off stump. It lands and kicks up a bit while also nipping away a shy bit. Aiden Markram leans back and tries to cut it square on the off side, but that extra bounce does him in. Only manages to get a thick outside edge and the ball flies towards Cameron Green at first slip. The tall, lanky Green takes it comfortably and Aiden Markram stares at the crease in surprise, before walking back. He departs for 1 (3) and South Africa are 2/1!

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Rickelton is off the mark too! Full and straight, on off, Ryan Rickelton gets on the front foot and forces it to the left of mid off for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Ryan Rickelton, Fractionally short of full, around off, angling away, Ryan Rickelton pushes it towards point.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, Similar ball, this time Markram waits for the ball to arrive and pushes it towards point for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Aiden Markram, On a length, outside off, Aiden Markram sets himself up to drive through the off side but the ball kicks back in and catches him by surprise. He ends up dabbing it away.

The players disperse and we are ready for action. Needless to say, everyone will be wearing black-arm bands. Josh Hazlewood will start things off for the game. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton are walking out to open for the Proteas. For some reason, Tim David is marking his runup near the crease! Will he bowl tonight? Definitely not now though. He rarely bowls these days. Off we go then, finally. Hoff to Markram.

The players are on the field, but will observe a minute's silence. This is as a mark of respect for the late Bob Simpson, former Aussie skipper, who passed away this morning, aged 89. He was also a full-time coach of Australia, helping them re-emerge in the late 80s and the 90s. Simpson averaged 46.81 in Tests, which included 10 centuries and 27 fifties. His best score was of 311, against England in Manchester. He was also a handy leg spinner, picking up 71 wickets.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Inglis (WK) (In for Alex Carey), Cameron Green, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie (In for Mitchell Owen), Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis (In for Sean Abbott), Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Ryan Rickelton (WK), Aiden Markram (C), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy (In for Nqabayomzi Peter), Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi.

South African captain Aiden Markram says they would have batted first as there's not much data about this venue. Is hopeful that the wicket stays well. Mentions that they will take the confidence from the previous game, but also stresses that they will need to start well with both bat and ball. Informs one change as Senuran Muthusamy is back in the side for Nqabayomzi Peter.

The captain of Australia, Mitchell Marsh, first says that they haven't played at this venue a lot and will try to get as much information about the pitch as possible and make good decisions. Confidently says that their aim is to win the series and learn from the mistakes in the previous game. Informs that they have three changes. Nathan Ellis, Josh Inglis, and Aaron Hardie come in the side.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Australia and Mitchell Marsh elects to BOWL first.

Looking at squads, Australia faces a forced reshuffle with power-hitter Mitchell Owen sidelined for the series remainder following a late concussion, likely opening the door for Aaron Hardie in the playing eleven, while Josh Inglis is expected to make his return in this fixture as well. As per murmurs, batting hasn’t been that easy at this venue, and the spinners have got a decent bit of assistance. Hence, the inclusion of Matthew Kuhnemann could also come into consideration. Meanwhile, the visitors have a clean bill of health, though they are equally likely to tinker with their combination, and might swap in an extra spinner to better suit the completely alien pitch conditions. With the history books open, this one’s got all the makings of a nail-biter. Toss and team sheets dropping soon. Stay tuned.

So far, it's been a run-fest with both games producing high totals, but team batting second have struggled to hunt down the targets. South Africa’s Kwena Maphaka has been living a fast bowler’s dream while the ever-dependable Kagiso Rabada has maintained his trademark economical brilliance. From Australia’s arsenal, Ben Dwarshuis and Josh Hazlewood have shouldered the bulk of the workload with distinction. Nonetheless, both bowling attacks will be desperate to apply the squeeze during the field restrictions. But with different conditions now, will the dynamics change?

This series has been dominated by the rising stars seizing the opportunities, while the senior pros have remained silent, especially with the bat. Australia’s opening partnership hasn’t managed to cross 20 runs, with Travis Head's returns proving underwhelming, while South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram's batting output has similarly remained so-so. However, both teams have found salvation through their middle order performers. Blokes like Australia’s Tim David and Dewald Brevis from the Proteas setup have stepped up magnificently for their respective sides, standing as the only two batters to cross triple figures and deliver the goods for their teams.

This series has truly been one for the books, not just for the cricket but for the stories it has brought with it. Darwin, after 17 long years, welcomed back international action with packed stands and a passionate crowd. Another historical milestone awaits as Cairns prepares to host its first-ever men’s T20I. For Australia, this is somewhat an uncharted territory, as no side has taken them to a series decider since 2022 with a 1-1 scoreline, at home. South Africa, fresh from a commanding win in the second match, are chasing a prize they have never held before, that is, a three-match T20I series win over Australia. The objectives are clear in both camps.

Darwin’s theory might talk about the survival of the fittest, but in its Northern Territory namesake, neither side could quite edge ahead. Australia landed the first blow, South Africa answered it in kind, and now we’re all square at one apiece. From the heat of the north, the action moves to the tropical northeastern coast, where Cairns and the lively Cazaly’s Stadium are ready for the decider. On that note, we welcome you all to our coverage.

... MATCH DAY ...

The caravan has reached Cairns for the third and final T20I between Australia and South Africa, with the series locked at 1-1. The Aussies threw the first punch, the Proteas punched back, and now it’s all on the line in this winner-takes-all showdown at Cazaly's Stadium. In the previous game, Dewald Brevis lit up the night with a sparkling maiden T20I century that powered South Africa to 218. Australia were right in the hunt at the halfway stage of the chase, but once the in-form Tim David departed, the momentum fizzled out and the hosts fell well short. That defeat in Darwin snapped a nine-match winning streak for the Aussies, and they were notably without two of their most influential recent performers in this format. Josh Inglis missed the game with flu-like symptoms, while Nathan Ellis was rested to manage his workload. Inglis’ potential return will be a timely boost for Australia’s batting, which has so far leaned heavily on Tim David, with Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell yet to deliver the impact they are capable of. Adding to their concerns, Mitchell Owen has been ruled out of the decider and the ODI series that follows after showing symptoms of a delayed concussion from a blow to the helmet in the second game. Similarly, if Ellis returns, it will strengthen the bowling unit and restore the control he has consistently provided, especially with Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa proving expensive in the previous game, while Ben Dwarshuis has been the standout with the ball so far. On the other hand, South Africa’s batting is also yet to click as a unit. Ryan Rickelton was in a bit of a rut before finding some rhythm towards the end of the first game, while in the second, it was largely a one-man show from Dewald Brevis. The likes of Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs and Lhuan-dre Pretorius are yet to fire, and there could be no better occasion to do so than the series decider. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have shown great control with the ball, even if they don't have the wickets to show for it. Young left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka leads the wicket tally for the Proteas, looking particularly sharp in the opening game. He did take some punishment in the last match, yet still managed to be among the wickets. While the first T20I marked the return of international cricket to Darwin after a 17-year hiatus, the third will make history as the first-ever men’s T20I to be played in Cairns. History also beckons for South Africa, who have never won a multi-game T20I series against Australia in Australia, with their last such series win over the Aussies, home or away, coming back in 2009. Can the Proteas finally break that long-standing drought, or will Australia defend their turf and claim another series win? We shall find out.