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South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram admitted his team missed by “small margins” after Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 62 led Australia to a dramatic two-wicket win to seal the series.
Aiden Markram (AP Photo)
South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram acknowledged that his team missed the mark by “small margins” after Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 62 led Australia to a dramatic two-wicket win in the decisive T20I at Cazalys Stadium on Saturday, securing the series 2-1 for the home side.
“Good game of cricket, ended up on the wrong side unfortunately. Small margins. Not enough on the board tonight, but we fought well with the ball. Not the way we wanted to end, but still some good things to take from this series,” Markram commented post-match.
Australia, chasing 173, found themselves struggling at 122/6 before Maxwell took control, hitting eight fours and two sixes in his 36-ball rescue effort. He maintained composure to score the winning runs off the penultimate delivery, thrilling the sell-out Cairns crowd during the venue’s inaugural men’s T20I. Earlier, captain Mitchell Marsh had scored a 37-ball 54, sharing a 66-run partnership with Travis Head to provide Australia with early momentum.
South Africa appeared to have the upper hand midway, capturing three wickets in 13 balls to apply pressure on the chase. However, Maxwell’s calculated hitting in the latter overs shifted the momentum back to Australia.
Batting first, South Africa posted 172/7. Brevis top-scored with 53 off 26 balls, continuing his strong form following a century in the previous match. Although Markram was dismissed in the first over, Lhuan-dre Pretorius maintained the run rate in the powerplay with 24, and Brevis’ explosive batting took the score to 108/3 by the 11th over, with 200 seeming attainable.
Markram also lauded teammate Dewald Brevis, describing him as a “special player” after another impressive performance.
Batting first, South Africa put up 172/7. Brevis led with 53 off 26 balls, following his century in the last game. Despite losing Markram early, Pretorius kept the score ticking with 24 in the powerplay, and Brevis’ aggressive batting raised the score to 108/3 by the 11th over, making 200 look possible.
However, Brevis’ dismissal, mishitting a slower ball from Nathan Ellis to long-on, proved crucial. From that moment, Australia tightened their grip with Ellis (2/29), Adam Zampa, and disciplined death bowling, limiting South Africa to just 64 runs in the final nine overs.
(With agency Inputs)
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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