AUS vs SA | Tim David explosive knock and Aussie bowlers nerves of steel ensures Aussies take 1-0 lead

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Australia beat South Africa to take the lead in the three match T20I series. While Tim David sets the platform with an explosive knock to rescue the team from a tough spot, Ryan Rickelton’s fighting knock goes in vain as Aussie bowlers keep their nerve in a tight game.

‌South Africa had won the toss and chose to field first at the Marrara Oval in Darwin. The Australians did manage to score some quick runs in the power play but also lost a heap of wickets in the process, with the score reading 71/4 after the first six overs of the game. The situation went from bad to worse for the hosts as they lost a couple of more wickets in quick succession, with Kwena Maphaka sending Mitchell Owen’s stumps flying and Muthusamy getting the big wicket of Glenn Maxwell, who became a victim of a brilliant catch by George Linde at deep cover. With Tim David being the only set batter at the crease, the Aussies' struggles continued at the end of 10 overs at 88/6. Despite the disappointing first half, David rescued the hosts from a tough position and formed a crucial 50-run stand with Ben Dwarshuis. Though the partnership was finally broken by Kwena Maphaka in the 15th over, David continued to score runs in the middle. Though he did have a bit of a scare in the 16th over, where he was dropped by Tristan Stubbs, he continued his onslaught with two massive sixes of the next two deliveries. David continued to attack the bowlers until the 19th over, where he was dismissed by Maphaka for a well-made 83 off 52 deliveries. Maphaka followed it with a wicket of Adam Zampa to finish of with his best figures in T20Is. In the end the Aussies managed to get to a total of 178 in the end.

The South African innings started with three magic boundaries by skipper Aiden Markram, but the South African skipper was dismissed in the last delivery as he gave a catch to Cameron Green in the cover region. The visitors struggled to get going in the power play as Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis were also dismissed and were in a tricky position at 48/3 after the first six overs. Despite the disappointing start, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs made a bit of a recovery and though the runs were coming steadily, they still gave themselves a chance at the halfway stage with the score at 78/3. Though the duo looked like they were getting a move on, the Aussies started to get back in the game as Hazlewood broke the 72-run stand in the 15th over as Stubbs was finally dismissed for 37. The right arm pacer did not stop there as George Linde also followed suit in the last ball as his stumps were uprooted. The game was in a tight spot with the South Africans needing 59 off the last 30 balls with Rickelton being the only set batter at the crease. The situation went from bad to worse as Adam Zampa also returned for his final over getting two consecutive wickets as the struggles for the African nation continued. Though Rickelton tried to get the team close to the target he was evnetually dismissed in the last over due to an incredible catch by Glenn Maxwell on the boundary. That seemed to be the final nail in the coffin as Australia won the game by 17 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Madness

Ennada south africa Australia jersey potrukan

Australia south africa jersey potrukan

Wat is this madness
— Arivazhagan (@ariv22)

Does it again!

GLENN MAXWELL DOES IT AGAIN 🤩
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)

The best

Best crowd catch of all time at the T20 (Australia vs South Africa)

Bloke has just absolutely nailed this
— Ben Henry (@BenryintheBooth)

Lead

AUSTRALIA BEAT SOUTH AFRICA IN FIRST T20I MATCH & TAKEN 1-0 LEAD..!!!!!

- Josh Hazelwood & Tim David are the stars of the win.
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh)

Yup

Now the Australian jersey is green and the South African jersey is yellow.
— A S L A M (@Aslam91441140)

Mad Max

Glenn Maxwell of Australia juggles the ball and takes the catch to dismiss Ryan Rickelton of South Africa.
— Robert Cianflone (@Sportsnapper71)

Sealed

Australia seal a 17-run win over South Africa! 💥
— Haris Mahmood (@HarisMa73708878)

Good one

Australia won the first match of the series against South Africa by 17 runs..
— Professor (@Off_Spinnerr)

Strong side

Australia looking strong before the next T20 WC after beating South Africa in first t20 match by 17 runs .9th consecutive win in t20s .
— Mussawar zaman (@MussawarZaman)

Hazlegod