In a breathtaking finale at Cairns’ Cazalys Stadium on August 16, 2025, Australia edged out South Africa by two wickets to clinch the T20I series 2–1, thanks to an extraordinary innings from Glenn Maxwell. His unbeaten 62 off 36 balls turned the tide in one of the most nerve-wracking finishes in recent memory.
The Stage: A Tense Chase
Chasing a competitive target of 173, Australia found themselves under pressure at 122–6 by the 14th over. Captain Mitchell Marsh provided a valiant start with 54, but a dramatic collapse put everything on Maxwell’s shoulders.
Maxwell’s Heroics
The seasoned all-rounder produced a masterclass in calm under pressure. With 10 needed off the final over bowled by Lungi Ngidi, Maxwell showcased both composure and flair—smashing a six in the first four balls and sealing the win with a reverse sweep for four off the penultimate delivery.
His performance wasn’t limited to batting—earlier in the match, Maxwell redeemed a dropped chance by taking an incredible running catch to dismiss Dewald Brevis, who had threatened to run away with the game following a rapid 53 off 22 balls.
Reflecting on the pressure, Maxwell admitted, “It was a little bit nerve-wracking… I probably had to do the majority of the striking” — sentiments underscoring his captaincy under fire.
The Broader Context
South Africa had done well to recover from early trouble to post a respectable 172–7, fueled by Brevis’s explosive cameo, which included four consecutive sixes in one over.
On Australia’s side, apart from Maxwell’s heroics, bowlers like Nathan Ellis (3–31), Josh Hazlewood (2–30), and Adam Zampa (2–24) played key roles in keeping the game competitive.
South African captain Aiden Markram was forthright after the match, emphasizing how “small margins” determined the outcome—a nod to how fine the line was between triumph and defeat in the series.
A Closer Look at Key Performers
| Player | Highlight Summary |
|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell | Unbeaten 62 from 36 balls; match-winning reverse sweep; pivotal catch to dismiss Brevis; Player of the Match |
| Mitchell Marsh | Solid top-order starts with 54 runs, providing a platform in the chase |
| Dewald Brevis | Explosive 53 off 22 balls; four sixes in an over |
| Australian Bowlers | Effective contributions from Ellis, Hazlewood, and Zampa in restricting South Africa’s chase |
What It Means
- For Australia, the victory not only secured the T20I series but also reinforced their formidable standing in short-format cricket. Maxwell’s clutch performance continues to underline his status as one of the game’s greatest finishers.
- For South Africa, it was a case of gallant resistance falling just short. The emergence of Brevis as a powerful middle-order presence is a positive, but lapses at the death proved costly.
Australia now shifts focus to the upcoming three-match ODI series starting Tuesday in Cairns, carrying momentum and belief from this high-stakes win.
