Australia’s record-breaking T20I form continued in Darwin with a 17-run win over South Africa, their ninth victory on the trot — the longest streak in their history. But for South Africa, this was more than just a defeat; it was a glaring reality check for a new selection philosophy built around batting depth from the allrounder spots.
White-ball coach Shukri Conrad has reshaped South Africa’s T20 approach by leaving out established spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi in favour of players who can contribute with the bat as well as ball. In Darwin, that meant George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, and Corbin Bosch — three spin and seam-bowling allrounders with domestic pedigree in the middle and lower-middle order. On paper, the strategy was designed to avoid exactly the kind of collapse that unfolded.
Tim David Breaks the Game Open
Sent in to bat, Australia’s top order faltered early. Travis Head (2), Josh Inglis (0), and captain Mitchell Marsh (13) fell cheaply as Rabada and Linde struck. Cameron Green’s blistering 35 off 13 kept the innings alive, but the game’s defining performance came from Tim David.
David blasted 83 from 52 balls, launching eight sixes in a power-hitting masterclass that turned 70/4 into a challenging 178. His ability to shift pressure back onto the bowlers was key, especially against a South African side banking on depth to chase totals in tricky conditions. “We just back our guys to play their way and Tim David batted beautifully tonight,” Marsh said. “It was a serious effort from all of our bowlers.”
Rickelton Fights, Support Cast Falters
The chase began brightly, with captain Aiden Markram striking three early boundaries before falling to Hazlewood. Ryan Rickelton anchored well, making 71 off 55, and with Tristan Stubbs (37 off 27) added 72 for the fourth wicket. At 120/3 in the 15th over, the game was alive.
Then came the collapse — and the damning statistic. Linde, Muthusamy, and Bosch, South Africa’s much-discussed “batting” allrounders, combined for just two runs between them:
- Linde: 0 (3)
- Muthusamy: 0 (1)
- Bosch: 2 (4)
All three fell within 10 balls as Australia’s attack closed in. Hazlewood (3/27) and Dwarshuis (3/26) strangled the innings, while Adam Zampa chipped in with two wickets. Glenn Maxwell capped the night with a brilliant, rule-perfect boundary catch to remove Rickelton, confirmed legal under ICC’s updated laws.
Markram was blunt in his assessment: “We were pretty far from our best tonight. A few learnings over the next 24 hours and try and improve. Maphaka bowled very well.”
Player of the Match David said, “We went pretty hard today but there’s not going to be that many occasions when that many of our batters miss out I don’t think.”
Selection Policy Under the Spotlight
For Conrad, who has championed the inclusion of allrounders to deepen the batting order, this was a sobering result. In a match where lower-order power was decisive, Australia’s depth delivered through David and Green; South Africa’s collapsed.
If South Africa are to compete in this series — and at next year’s T20 World Cup — their chosen allrounders will have to contribute with the bat in exactly the scenarios they’ve been picked for. Right now, the theory is not matching the execution.
Result: Australia 178 (David 83, Maphaka 4/20) beat South Africa 161/9 (Rickelton 71, Hazlewood 3/27, Dwarshuis 3/26) by 17 runs.
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