South Africa  Strikes Early

South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. They gave Australia early blows. Kagiso Rabada dismissed Travis Head on the last ball of the 2nd over. Head scored only 2 runs off 7 balls. Just two balls later, George Linde sent Josh Inglis back without scoring. Rabada then took Mitchell Marsh’s wicket on the first ball of the 4th over. Marsh made 13 runs off 7 balls.

Green and David Stabilize Australia

Cameron Green and Tim David tried to steady the innings. They quickly put together a 40-run partnership. However, Lungi Ngidi dismissed Green on the second last ball of the 6th over. Green scored a quick 35 off 13 balls.

Middle Order Struggles for Australia

Kwena Maphaka took Mitchell Owen’s wicket in the 7th over. Soon after, Senuran Muthusamy dismissed Glenn Maxwell. Australia struggled at 75/6 after 7.4 overs.

Tim David then took charge. He built a 59-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis, who scored 17 runs off 19 balls. David also partnered with Nathan Ellis before getting out in the 19th over for 83 runs off 52 balls. Australia ended with 178 runs in 20 overs.

Kwena Maphaka dominated the bowling with 4 wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs. Kagiso Rabada also impressed, taking 2 wickets for 29 runs.

South Africa’s Chase Begins Strong

Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton opened the chase. Markram started aggressively with three boundaries in five balls. But Josh Hazlewood dismissed him on the last ball of the first over.

Early Wickets Slow Down South Africa

Lhuan-dre Pretorius came at number 3 to add momentum. However, Glenn Maxwell dismissed him in the 5th over. South Africa fell to 40/2. Dewald Brevis followed at number 4.

Ben Dwarshuis removed Brevis in the 6th over. Brevis scored just 2 runs off 6 balls. South Africa stood at 48/3 after 6 overs. Tristan Stubbs joined Ryan Rickelton at the crease.

At halfway, South Africa were 78/3. Rickelton was on 30 runs; Stubbs was on 13. Their partnership looked vital.

Hazlewood and Zampa Strikes Twice

Josh Hazlewood took the wicket of Stubbs on the third ball of the 15th over. Stubbs scored 37 off 27 balls. Two balls later, Hazlewood dismissed George Linde.

Adam Zampa sent back Corbin Bosch and Senuran Muthusamy on consecutive balls in the 16th over. South Africa lost 4 wickets for just 4 runs in about 10 balls, falling to 123/7.

Rickelton’s Half-Century

Rickelton reached his fifty with a single on the last ball of the 17th over. He took 43 balls to reach the milestone. Rabada supported well alongside him. A six by Rickelton in the 18th over brought 9 runs. South Africa stood at 142/7 after 18 overs.

Final Overs Drama

Rickelton and Rabada scored 16 runs in the 19th over bowled by Nathan Ellis. With 21 runs needed off the last over, Ben Dwarshuis bowled tight. He gave only 3 runs and took the wickets of Rickelton and Rabada, sealing Australia’s 17-run victory.