Australia Edges South Africa in Thrilling T20 Series Decider

Glenn Maxwell's match-winning knock guides Australia to 2-1 series win

Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 helps Australia chase down 173 runs with one ball to spare, securing a 2-1 series win over South Africa in the thrilling T20 series decider.

“I probably had to do the majority of the striking but, yeah, it was nice to get a couple...”

Glenn Maxwell's match-winning performance guided Australia to a thrilling two-wicket victory over South Africa in the series decider. His unbeaten 62 off 36 balls helped Australia chase down a 173-run target with one ball to spare at the Cazalys Stadium in Cairns.

Maxwell's heroics sealed Australia's 2-1 series win, overcoming South Africa's determined effort. Earlier, South Africa posted 172-7, with Dewald Brevis top-scoring at 53 and Rassie van der Dussen contributing 38 not out. Maxwell took a brilliant running catch to dismiss Brevis and later showed composure under pressure, hitting crucial boundaries to win the game.

Key Moments:

• Maxwell's Unbeaten Half-Century: 62 runs off 36 balls, including crucial boundaries in the final over.

• South Africa's Strong Start: Dewald Brevis hit a 22-ball fifty, but Maxwell's catch and Australia's bowlers restricted them to 172-7.

• Thrilling Finish: Maxwell guided Australia home with one ball to spare, winning the series 2-1.

“It was a little bit nerve-wracking,” Maxwell said after being adjudged player of the match. “I probably had to do the majority of the striking but, yeah, it was nice to get a couple out of the middle right near the end.”

Glenn Maxwell muscled Australia over the line in their highest successful T20I chase at home 💪 pic.twitter.com/jVQAaWPg9B

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 17, 2025

Brevis Stars with a Match-Winning Knock

South Africa's top order stumbled early, slumping to 49-3 within seven overs. However, Dewald Brevis remained unfazed and went on to top-score for the tourists with a 53 off 29 balls. He unleashed a ferocious over against Aaron Hardie, hitting four sixes that threw the pacer out of the attack and helped South Africa post a competitive total of 172-7.

Dewald Brevis blasted a 22-ball fifty, but his innings was brought to an abrupt end by a brilliant running catch taken by Glenn Maxwell near the rope. Brevis was dismissed off the bowling of Nathan Ellis, who finished with figures of 3-31. Despite Tristan Stubbs' 25 and Rassie van der Dussen's unbeaten 38 down the order, South Africa fell short of their target.

Australia's reply was led by skipper Mitchell Marsh, who smashed 54 runs and dominated the 66-run opening stand with Travis Head, who scored 19. However, it was Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 that sealed the win for Australia, guiding them to a thrilling two-wicket victory with one ball to spare.

GLENN MAXWELL WINS IT ON THE SECOND LAST BALL!#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/gvrzvyHnGc

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 16, 2025

Australia's top order faced early setbacks, with Kagiso Rabada flooring a return catch from Mitchell Marsh when the batter was on 26, only for Marsh to be reprieved. Similarly, Aiden Markram gave Travis Head a life off his own bowling, but Head couldn't capitalize and fell to Markram in the same over.

The match took a dramatic turn when South Africa's bowlers struck back-to-back blows, with Corbin Bosch dismissing Josh Inglis for a first-ball duck. Shortly after, teenage left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka removed Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green (9) in the same over, shifting the momentum in South Africa's favor.

Kagiso Rabada's impressive bowling spell included a crucial two-wicket over, dismissing Tim David and Aaron Hardie. David inexplicably pushed a full, straight delivery straight back to Rabada, while Hardie drove another full-length delivery to Corbin Bosch at long on. Despite these setbacks, Glenn Maxwell remained calm and composed, guiding Australia to a thrilling two-wicket victory.

The win marked the end of the three-match T20 International series, with Australia taking the series 2-1. The teams will now shift their focus to the upcoming ODI series, which kicks off in Cairns on Tuesday. The three-match ODI series promises to be just as exciting, with both teams looking to build on their momentum.