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Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell rose to the occasion and played an unbeaten knock of 62 runs from just 36 deliveries to carry his side to a thrilling two-wicket win in the final over of the third T20I against South Africa at the Cazalys stadium in Cairns. The 36-year-old hit eight boundaries and two maximums in his fiery knock to guide the Baggy Greens to the victory which saw them seal the three-match T20I series by 2-1.
Previously, Australia had won the series opener by 17 runs before South Africa had romped to victory by 53 runs in the second T20I. The win for the hosts in the series decider will be major confidence booster as they will soon be playing a three-match ODI series against the Proteas which will begin from August 19.
Coming to the match, South Africa had put up a fighting total of 172/7 on the board thanks to an explosive fifty from Dewald Brevis and an impactful 38-run cameo from Rassie van der Dussen. The former was the star performer for his side as he played an explosive inning of 53 runs from just 26 deliveries. For Australia, Nathan Ellis racked up three scalps while both Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa took two each as they wrapped up a decent bowling display.
In reply, Australia started the chase on a high note with openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head forming a valiant 66-run partnership. The former was clearly the aggressor between the two and played some fine shots to punish the opposing bowlers. Head would eventually lose his wicket for 19 runs in the eighth over, however the hosts still looked to be firmly in-charge.
But, the bowlers would help the visitors get back into the game as they ended up taking three wickets more in the space of just 22 runs. Marsh was dismissed by Kwena Maphaka for 54 as South Africa put Australia under massive pressure. Things started looking seriously bleak for the Baggy Greens when they lost Tim David for cheap in the 14th over to Kagiso Rabada. Aaron Hardie lost his wicket in the same over too as Australia looked to be in big trouble at 122/6, still 51 runs behind the target of 173.
Maxwell took matters into his own hands
It looked like the Proteas would script a famous victory, however Maxwell had other ideas. With tail-enders on the other end, the experienced batter kept strike and started smashing the opposing bowlers all around the stadium. With 12 runs required from as many deliveries, it looked like the hosts were favourites to win, but there was another twist in the tale as Corbin Bosch dismissed Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis on consecutive deliveries in the 19th over.
The equation was eventually reduced to 10 runs from 6 deliveries and Maxwell stepped up big time to hand Australia a thrilling two-run victory. The batter finished off the match with a reverse-scoop against Lungi Ngidi which ended up going for a boundary and saw the hosts seal the three-match series by 2-1. Maxwell was adjudged the Player of the Match while Tim David was adjudged the Player of the Series as the Baggy Greens finished off the assignment on a high.
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