The series decider in Cairns delivered everything it promised with drama and a nail-biting finish. The Proteas’ young stars once again showed their quality, pushing the hosts until Glenn Maxwell’s late heroics sealed a narrow win for Australia.

It was the third and final T20I between Australia and South Africa from Cairns in Northern Queensland. We were in for an absolute cracker with the series on the line!

Australia won the toss and elected to field.

The Proteas batted fairly well during their innings. The majority of the runs came from South Africa’s middle order.

Brevis had another good knock, scoring 53 from 26 balls, hitting one 4 and six 6’s. Rassie van der Dussen also batted well, scoring 38* off 26 balls, hitting three 4’s.

Nathan Ellis 3-31, Josh Hazelwood 2-30, and Adam Zampa 2-24 were the wicket takers for the Aussies.

South Africa finished on 172-7.

The hosts were in control for the majority of their innings. There was a period where the South Africans came back into the game with a few quick wickets from Kwena Maphaka.

Glenn Maxwell then came to the crease and played a very explosive knock.

Corbin Bosch got 2 wickets in the 18th over, which brought the Proteas right back into the game.

In the last over, Australia needed 10 runs from 6 balls with Maxwell still at the crease.

In the end, Maxwell was the hero for Australia as the hosts won by 2 wickets with 1 ball remaining.

He was the standout batsman scoring 62* off 36 balls, hitting eight 4’s and two 6’s. Mitch Marsh was the other standout batsman, scoring 54 from 27 balls, hitting three 4’s and five 6’s.

Corbin Bosch 3-26, Kwena Maphaka 2-36, Kagiso Rbada 2-32 and Aiden Markram 1-6 were the wicket takers.