Following a brilliant win two days ago, Australia have backed it up with another ruthless masterclass to win the T20I series against South Africa.

Temba Bavuma got the Proteas off to a cracking start with a handy 35, but after his dismissal, there was a collapse towards the end of the Powerplay. Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, and Dewald Brevis all fell cheaply, and it was on skipper Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs to start rebuilding.

Markram took longer to get set, but Stubbs went about fearlessly. He struck three fours and a six, but an attempted reverse-paddle brought about his downfall right when SA were starting to regain momentum.

Even though Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott made regular inroads, Markram was able to stick around until the penultimate over. He top scored with a hard-fought 49, and a few fortuitous runs from the tailenders managed to drive the hosts to a reasonably competitive total.

However, the Proteas’ struggles continued. In spite of a quiet first two overs, Matt Short quickly shifted into high gear. Lizaad Williams struck to remove Travis Head in the 5th over, but that was, at best, momentary respite.

Short and Marsh would stitch together a brutal 100-run stand in 45 deliveries, setting a record 2nd-wicket partnership for a T20I between these two teams. All the Proteas bowlers were at the receiving end of carnage from both the big-hitting right-handers.

It was a tremendous first T20I half-century for Short, who got there in 25 deliveries. Marsh played yet another captain’s knock, attacking seam and spin at will. He has now made 168 unbeaten runs in this series, and has been the destroyer in chief.

The Proteas may not have had an international series in a while, but these two defeats are a wake-up call. There’s still plenty of pride to play for in the third and final T20I on Sunday.

SA 164/8 in 20 overs (Markram 49, Bavuma 35 – Abbott 4-0-22-3, Ellis 4-1-25-3)

AUS 165/2 in 14.5 overs (Marsh 79*, Short 66)