AUS vs SA Highlights, 3rd T20I: Australia beat South Africa by 2 wickets, clinch series 2-1
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Aug 16, 2025, 19:45:47 IST
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AUS vs SA Highlights, 3rd T20I: Australia beat South Africa by 2 wickets, clinch series 2-1

Australia vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: Australia clinched a tense two-wicket win over South Africa in Cairns on Saturday, taking the T20I series 2-1 thanks to a composed all-round performance from Glenn Maxwell. Set 173 to win, Australia appeared in control at 66-1 with captain Mitchell Marsh striking 54, but a sudden collapse saw them slump to 122-6 in the 14th over. With South Africa on top, Maxwell responded with a superb unbeaten 62 off 36 deliveries.

The contest tightened further when Corbin Bosch dismissed Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis off consecutive balls late in the chase, but Maxwell sealed victory with a boundary on the penultimate delivery, celebrating passionately with his teammates.

Earlier, Marsh had opted to bowl first in seam-friendly conditions, and Josh Hazlewood struck early to remove Aiden Markram. South Africa were boosted by Dewald Brevis, fresh from his record 125* in Darwin, who blasted a 22-ball fifty. However, after Maxwell dropped a tough chance, he redeemed himself with a stunning diving catch to dismiss Brevis for 53. South Africa lost momentum, managing 172-7.

Australia’s innings mirrored the visitors’ — promising starts undone by clusters of wickets. Tim David (17) and Cameron Green (9) fell cheaply before Maxwell’s heroics turned the tide.

The players wore black armbands in memory of Bob Simpson, Australia’s former captain and coach who passed away aged 89. Cairns, hosting its first T20I, witnessed a Maxwell special as Australia edged home. The two teams now shift focus to the ODI series beginning Tuesday.
16:04 (IST) Aug 16

Corbin Bosch walks in next, at number 7, replacing Tristan Stubbs.

16:03 (IST) Aug 16
W
Overs15.4
Score137 - 5

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, OUT! BOWLED! Zampa has his man. The pressure was building on Stubbs, who was itching to do something. Since Brevis' departure, he had faced just 9 balls prior to this delivery, out of the team's 23 and scored just 7 runs. Tries to pre-meditate, getting across and aiming the paddle but misses a straight ball from Zampa. The ball crashes into the stumps. Stubbs departs for a scratchy 25 (23) and from 110/3, South Africa are now 137/5. 26 balls left.

16:03 (IST) Aug 16
0
Overs15.3
Score137 - 4

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Tossed up slower through the air, outside off, Tristan Stubbs reaches out to clobber it through the leg side but misses.

16:02 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs15.2
Score137 - 4

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Tossed up, outside off, van der Dussen leans and drives it towards widish long off for a single.

16:02 (IST) Aug 16
2
Overs15.1
Score136 - 4

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, The googly, around off, Rassie van der Dussen clips it through mid-wicket for a couple.

16:01 (IST) Aug 16

That's 88/2 in 9 overs of the middle phase. Adam Zampa to bowl out. 3-0-20-1 so far.

16:00 (IST) Aug 16
Score after 15 overs 134 - 4
Runs Scored: 0
401211
  • Rassie van der Dussen 16 (12)
  • Tristan Stubbs 25 (21)
Glenn Maxwell2-0-15-0
1
Overs14.6
Score134 - 4

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, Miscommunication but all's well in the end. Full, around off, Rassie clips it through square leg and takes the single. Stubbs touches the other end and comes halfway down the track for the second but is sent back. The fielder charges in from fine leg but throws it at the wrong end, to the bowler. Maybe, he might have had a better chance, had he gone to the keeper.

16:00 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs14.5
Score133 - 4

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, A full toss now, around off, Stubbs bunts it down to long on for a run.

15:59 (IST) Aug 16
2
Overs14.4
Score132 - 4

Glenn Maxwell to Tristan Stubbs, Short, outside off, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and clips it through mid-wicket for a couple.

15:59 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs14.3
Score130 - 4

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off, pushed towards long on for a single.

15:58 (IST) Aug 16
0
Overs14.2
Score129 - 4

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, Full, around off, van der Dussen pushes it back to the bowler.

15:58 (IST) Aug 16
4
Overs14.1
Score129 - 4

Glenn Maxwell to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! Is that a case of misjudgement? Full, around off, Rassie van der Dussen flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. Nathan Ellis is standing way too inside the boundary, nearly 15-20 yards and has to leap full stretch. The ball goes over his hands and meets the fence.

15:57 (IST) Aug 16
Score after 14 overs 125 - 4
Runs Scored: 0
131(1LB)111
  • Rassie van der Dussen 10 (8)
  • Tristan Stubbs 22 (19)
Ben Dwarshuis3-0-27-0
1
Overs13.6
Score125 - 4

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off, punched through the covers for one more.

15:56 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs13.5
Score124 - 4

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, Off cutter, angling away outside off, Tristan jumps down the track and looks to heave, but gets it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. A single taken.

15:56 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs13.4
Score123 - 4

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, Slower ball, on a length, worked through fine leg for a run.

15:55 (IST) Aug 16
1lb
Overs13.3
Score122 - 4

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, A short ball, down the leg side, Stubbs looks to tuck it fine but misses. The ball goes off his thigh pads and escapes towards square leg. A leg bye taken.

15:54 (IST) Aug 16
3
Overs13.2
Score121 - 4

Ben Dwarshuis to Rassie van der Dussen, Another misfield. On a length, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen punches it through the covers, where the fielder gets down but the ball goes through. Mitchell Marsh jogs after it from mid off, and manages to get to the ball with a slide near the ropes. Three runs taken. Clearly, he does not want to challenge his family history of hamstring issues.

15:54 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs13.1
Score118 - 4

Ben Dwarshuis to Tristan Stubbs, A short ball, down the leg side, Tristan Stubbs pulls it towards long leg for a single.

15:53 (IST) Aug 16

Interesting. Talk about matchups. Nathan Ellis has now dismissed Dewald Brevis twice in 2 meetings in T20 cricket, in 5 balls, for just 3 runs! Seems like the stat paper was away from Marsh. Here's Ben Dwarshuis again. 2-0-20-0 so far.

15:52 (IST) Aug 16
Score after 13 overs 117 - 4
Runs Scored: 0
011101
  • Tristan Stubbs 20 (16)
  • Rassie van der Dussen 5 (5)
Adam Zampa3-0-20-1
1
Overs12.6
Score117 - 4

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Full, around off, Stubbs clips it through mid-wicket for one.

15:52 (IST) Aug 16
0
Overs12.5
Score116 - 4

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Beautifully flighted, outside off, slower through the air, Stubbs comes half forward to defend but is beaten on the outside edge.

15:51 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs12.4
Score116 - 4

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Short, outside off, punched through mid off for one.

15:51 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs12.3
Score115 - 4

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Another quicker googly, outside off, Tristan Stubbs fetches it from the stumps and pushes it through the covers for a run.

15:50 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs12.2
Score114 - 4

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Down the leg side, van der Dussen works it through square leg for a single.

15:50 (IST) Aug 16
0
Overs12.1
Score113 - 4

Adam Zampa to Rassie van der Dussen, Tossed up, on middle and leg, Rassie van der Dussen looks to flick but the ball holds on the surface a touch. Lobs off the face of the bat but drops down quickly on the pitch.

15:49 (IST) Aug 16
Score after 12 overs 113 - 4
Runs Scored: 0
1010(W)21
  • Rassie van der Dussen 3 (2)
  • Tristan Stubbs 18 (13)
Nathan Ellis2-0-12-2
1
Overs11.6
Score113 - 4

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, Outside off, van der Dussen punches it through the covers for a run. A wicket and 5 runs from the over, Ellis' bowling figures read 2-0-12-2.

15:48 (IST) Aug 16
2
Overs11.5
Score112 - 4

Nathan Ellis to Rassie van der Dussen, Full, on middle, Rassie van der Dussen flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple to get off the mark.

15:47 (IST) Aug 16

Rassie van der Dussen walks in next, at number 6, replacing Dewald Brevis.

15:46 (IST) Aug 16
W
Overs11.4
Score110 - 4

Nathan Ellis to Dewald Brevis, OUT! CAUGHT! A stunner from Maxwell. It was he who had dropped Brevis when on 9. It is Maxwell who catches one to dismiss Brevis on 53. A terrific catch to end a terrific knock. Ellis goes for the bumper and Dewald Brevis tries to take him on. Goes for the pull but this one hits the bat on the higher side. As a result, while there is elevation, the distance is not the complete one, due to lack of clean contact. It goes to the right of wide long on but Glenn Maxwell charges across to his right and dives full stretch to take a blinder. The 61-run stand is broken And Ellis has his second. Brevis departs for a breathtaking 53 (26) and South Africa are 110/4 after 11.4 overs!

15:45 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs11.3
Score110 - 3

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Slower ball, on middle, Stubbs chips it down the ground to long on for a run.

15:45 (IST) Aug 16
0
Overs11.2
Score109 - 3

Nathan Ellis to Tristan Stubbs, Full, outside off, Tristan Stubbs drives it towards cover.

15:44 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs11.1
Score109 - 3

Nathan Ellis to Dewald Brevis, Around the wicket straightaway, from Ellis, on a length, Dewald Brevis punches it towards sweeper cover for a single.

15:44 (IST) Aug 16

The runs are coming at will now. 39 in the last 2 overs. Nathan Ellis is back on. 1-0-7-1 so far.

15:43 (IST) Aug 16
Score after 11 overs 108 - 3
Runs Scored: 0
411411
  • Dewald Brevis 52 (24)
  • Tristan Stubbs 17 (11)
Adam Zampa2-0-16-1
1
Overs10.6
Score108 - 3

Adam Zampa to Dewald Brevis, On middle, Brevis pushes it towards long on for one.

15:42 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs10.5
Score107 - 3

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, Outside off, pushed towards short third for a quick run.

15:41 (IST) Aug 16
4
Overs10.4
Score106 - 3

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Toyed away! Zampa dishes out a slider, on middle and full. Tristan Stubbs is quick to switch the stance and reverses it over backward point for a boundary.

15:41 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs10.3
Score102 - 3

Adam Zampa to Dewald Brevis, Short, outside off, Dewald Brevis stays leg side of the ball and punches it towards wide long off for a run.

15:40 (IST) Aug 16
1
Overs10.2
Score101 - 3

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, The googly, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs works it through mid-wicket for a single. 

15:40 (IST) Aug 16
4
Overs10.1
Score100 - 3

Adam Zampa to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! More runs! Fuller and flatter, on the stumps. Tristan Stubbs reverse sweeps it between backward point and cover for a boundary. The 100 is up for South Africa and the 50 partnership also comes up between Brevis and Stubbs!

15:39 (IST) Aug 16

Difficult to bat? Says who? Definitely not Brevis, who clobbered 26 runs in the previous over himself! Well, that over brings 200 back into reckoning for the Saffas. Or even more. Adam Zampa returns. 1-0-4-1 so far.

15:38 (IST) Aug 16
Score after 10 overs 96 - 3
Runs Scored: 0
026661(1WD)6
  • Dewald Brevis 50 (22)
  • Tristan Stubbs 7 (7)
Aaron Hardie2-0-33-0
6
Overs9.6
Score96 - 3

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! Sails just over! FIFTY FOR DEWALD BREVIS! IN JUST 22 BALLS! He is into the overdrive mode and hitting the ball just so cleanly. Wide on off on a shortish length, sits up nicely for the batter. Dewald Brevis throws his blade and brings the bottom hand to play once again. Lofts it over deep point. Nathan Ellis flings himself towards the ball in the deep, but falls over the ropes with the ball sailing behind him.

15:38 (IST) Aug 16
1wd
Overs9.6
Score90 - 3

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, WIDE. Attempted slower ball goes awry, a bouncer, well over the head of Brevis who ducks.

15:37 (IST) Aug 16
6
Overs9.5
Score89 - 3

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! The ball is just sailing over the fence! Another full ball from Hardie, a genuine half volley, around off. Dewald Brevis gets his bat under the ball and, with no intentions to keep it down, smokes it gun-barrel straight over the bowler for a monstrous six. A hat-trick of sixes for Dewald Brevis and he moves to 44 off just 21!

15:37 (IST) Aug 16

Concussion check? That ball has landed right on the head of one of the spectators. The ball has escaped beyond the fence after landing on his head and that would have been a painful blow. Hope that the gentleman is fine.

15:35 (IST) Aug 16
6
Overs9.4
Score83 - 3

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! OUTTA HERE! Aaron stretches the length, goes full and on off. Dewald Brevis finds the ball in his wheelhouse and lofts it miles behind long on for a mammoth six. 

15:34 (IST) Aug 16

This one won't come back for sure. It has gone onto the road! Out comes the fourth umpire with a box of replacement balls.

15:33 (IST) Aug 16
6
Overs9.3
Score77 - 3

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, SIX! THAT HAS GONE MILES! He has been so productive in that region! Shoots in a length delivery, does Hardie, on the top of off. Dewald Brevis throws everything he has got in the tank. Pulls it off the middle and sails the ball on the roof, behind deep square leg. A no-look shot from Brevis as he holds his posture for a bit for the photographers.

15:33 (IST) Aug 16
2
Overs9.2
Score71 - 3

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, Short, outside off, Brevis slaps it to the right of Ben Dwarshuis at deep point and charges back for the second.

15:32 (IST) Aug 16
0
Overs9.1
Score69 - 3

Aaron Hardie to Dewald Brevis, On a length, outside off, Dewald Brevis looks to drive but this one holds off the deck. Goes off the inner half of the bat back to the bowler.

15:32 (IST) Aug 16

So far, we have seen 2 overs of spin. There is a hint of turn but the ball is not stopping onto the batters. Aaron Hardie is back on. 1-0-6-0 so far.

79 More Updates
Australia vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: Glenn Maxwell produced a match-winning performance to guide Australia to a thrilling two-wicket victory over South Africa in Cairns, sealing the T20I series 2-1. Chasing 173, Australia were reeling at 122-6 in the 14th over when Maxwell took charge, finishing unbeaten on 62 off 36 balls. Despite late drama, with Corbin Bosch taking two wickets in two balls, Maxwell struck the penultimate delivery to the boundary to secure the win.

Earlier, Mitchell Marsh elected to field in seam-friendly conditions. Josh Hazlewood immediately struck by dismissing Aiden Markram, while Dewald Brevis threatened again after his record 125* in game two. Brevis reached a quick half-century before Maxwell atoned for an earlier drop with a brilliant diving catch to dismiss him for 53. South Africa’s innings lost momentum and ended at 172/7.

Marsh (54) and Travis Head gave Australia a strong start, but a collapse of 6-56 left the chase in jeopardy. Maxwell’s composed counterattack ensured victory and series success.

Players wore black armbands to honour former captain-coach Bob Simpson, who passed away at 89. The teams now turn to the three-match ODI series in Cairns starting Tuesday.