Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 62 from 36 balls to assist Australia beat South Africa by two wickets within the decider and win the three-match T20 sequence 2-1.
The hosts had been struggling at 122-6 within the 14th over whereas chasing a goal of 173 when the 36-year-old hit his first T20I half-century in 11 innings.
His half-century left Australia needing 12 runs from two overs however South Africa all-rounder Corbin Bosch dismissed Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis with consecutive deliveries within the penultimate over as momentum swung in favour of the vacationers.
Maxwell, nonetheless, hit two boundaries off Lungi Ngidi within the remaining over to information Australia to a sequence win with a ball to spare.
“It was a bit of bit nerve-wracking,” Maxwell mentioned.
“I most likely needed to do nearly all of the putting however, yeah, it was good to get a pair out of the center proper close to the tip.”
Earlier, Dewald Brevis’ 26-ball 53 and Rassie van der Dussen’s 38 not out had taken South Africa to 172-7 after Australia despatched them out to bat first.
“With out [Maxwell] enjoying a blinding innings, I would not be standing up right here, so there’s been contributions from everybody in our group all through this sequence and we have had a lot enjoyable,” mentioned participant of the sequence Tim David.
David had hit a 52-ball 83 as Australia gained the primary T20 in Darwin by 17 runs, earlier than South Africa levelled the sequence with a 53-run victory on the identical venue this week.
The groups will stay in Cairns to play the primary of three one-day internationals on Tuesday earlier than the ultimate two video games at The Nice Barrier Reef Enviornment.
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