Tim David, Hazlewood Shine as Australia Seal Record Ninth Straight T20I Win
Tim David's explosive 83 and a clinical bowling performance led by Josh Hazlewood helped Australia secure a thrilling 17-run win over South Africa in the opening T20I at Marrara Oval, extending their winning streak in T20 internationals to a national record nine games.
Despite a shaky middle-order collapse that saw Australia reduced to 75 for 6 inside eight overs, David's composed counterattack — featuring eight sixes — lifted the home side to 178 before they were bowled out. In reply, South Africa were restricted to 161 for 9, with Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis picking up three wickets apiece.
South Africa rue missed chances
South Africa’s decision to bowl first initially paid off, as they took early wickets to leave Australia in trouble. Left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka, aged just 19, stood out with figures of 4 for 20, becoming the youngest bowler from a Full Member nation to take a T20I four-wicket haul. However, South Africa’s fielding let them down, with four dropped catches, including one crucial miss when David was on 56. He punished them with another 27 runs before falling in the 19th over.
Tim David anchors recovery
After a rollicking start in the powerplay — including 71 runs, their best start in the last six matches — Australia lost six wickets in quick succession. But David, batting at No. 6, counterpunched with a 52-ball 83. His power against short-pitched bowling was on full display as he struck seven of his eight sixes in front of square. He shared a vital 59-run partnership with Dwarshuis that helped Australia post a competitive total.
South Africa lack firepower in chase
Ryan Rickelton top-scored for South Africa with 71, but the visitors never fully recovered from the constant pressure applied by Australia's bowlers. The Proteas' batting lacked the six-hitting firepower of their opponents — managing just two sixes compared to Australia's 13 — and appeared to be one specialist batter short.
Hazlewood, playing his first match since being rested for the West Indies series, made immediate impact by removing South Africa captain Aiden Markram early. He returned in the 15th over to break the crucial 72-run partnership between Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, before dismissing George Linde to turn the match decisively in Australia's favour.
Adam Zampa also made key inroads, taking two wickets in two balls, as South Africa lost four wickets for just three runs in a dramatic collapse.
Maxwell’s all-round influence
Glenn Maxwell, who batted at No. 7, played an understated yet crucial role. He bowled four tidy overs for 1 for 29, including the wicket of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and took two catches — the most spectacular being a leaping boundary effort to dismiss Rickelton in the final over, which all but sealed the match.
Match Summary
Australia: 178 all out in 19.4 overs (Tim David 83, Maphaka 4-20, Ngidi 2-33)
South Africa: 161 for 9 in 20 overs (Rickelton 71, Dwarshuis 3-26, Hazlewood 3-27)
Result: Australia won by 17 runs
Player of the Match: Tim David
With this win, Australia maintain a flawless T20I record in 2025 and continue building strong momentum ahead of next year's T20 World Cup. The second match of the series will take place in Darwin later this week.