New Delhi: Dewald Brevis’ maiden century powered South Africa to a series-levelling win against Australia in the second T20I at the Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. The 22-year-old demolished the Australian bowling attack, slamming a 41-ball century and propelling the Proteas to a massive total of 218 for 7 in 20 overs.
In reply, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals as South African bowlers produced a clinical display to bundle out the hosts for 165 in the 17.5 overs, 53 runs short of the target.
South Africa’s win sets up a mouthwatering decider on Saturday, August 16, in Cairns.
Invited to bat first, the Proteas top three failed to capitalise on the starts, leaving the team at 57 for 3 in 6.5 overs. That’s when Brevis entered the stage, and after a cautious start, the rising star of world cricket unleashed mayhem on Aussie bowlers, who looked clueless against the rampant right-handed batter.
Brevis unleashed a barrage of sixes and in no time, completed a scintillating 41-ball century that made him the youngest centurion in South Africa’s T20I history and the second-fastest for the Proteas in men’s T20Is behind David Miller.
The young batter, who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, smashed eight sixes and 12 fours in his unbeaten 125-run knock of 56 balls.
Brevis, also nicknamed “Baby AB” due to his striking resemblance to AB de Villiers, recorded the highest score for the Proteas in T20Is, surpassing Du Plessis’ decade-old record of 119 against the West Indies in 2015.
He also became the highest individual scorer in a T20I against Australia, surpassing Indian batter Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 123 in Guwahati in 2023.
All-round Proteas too hot to handle for AUS
Brevis combined with Tristan Stubbs and stitched a brilliant 126-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Stubbs played second fiddle to his young compatriot, scoring 31 off 22 balls.
Ben Dwarshuis was the most impressive Aussie bowler of the match with exceptional figures of 4-0-24-2 while Glenn Maxwell also bagged two wickets.
Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa chipped in with a wicket each, but both had economy rates above 10.00 runs per over.
Chasing the daunting target, Australia lost the dangerous duo of Travis Head and Cameron Green inside four overs. Skipper Mitchell Marsh held firm at one end as Tim David launched a brutal counter-attacking onslaught to revive Aussie hopes.
But both batters were dismissed in the space of 15 deliveries as South Africa kept chipping away with crucial wickets to drag the home side back.
David’s 24-ball 50 was the only notable batting contribution for the Australians, who lost their last five wickets for just 18 runs. Kwena Maphaka, Corbin Bosch both picked up three wickets apiece as each South African who rolled over his arm contributed with at least a wicket.