South Africa tightened their grip on the first T20I at Darwin, reducing Australia to 73/5 in 6.4 overs after winning the toss and opting to bowl.
The visitors made early inroads, with Kagiso Rabada removing Travis Head for 2 and Mitchell Marsh for 13, while George Linde dismissed Josh Inglis for a golden duck. Kwena Maphaka was outstanding in the field, taking two superb catches in the deep during the powerplay.
Australia’s counterattack came through Cameron Green and Tim David, with Green blasting 35 off 13 balls and David striking freely. However, Green fell to a slower ball from Lungi Ngidi, caught by Ryan Rickelton, leaving the hosts four down at the end of the powerplay.
In the seventh over, Kwena Maphaka claimed his first wicket, bowling Mitchell Owen for 2. The left-arm quick delivered a full, accurate delivery that beat Owen for pace and crashed into the stumps, leaving Australia with half their side back in the pavilion before the innings had even reached the halfway stage.
At 73/5, Tim David was batting on 19 off 8 balls, holding Australia’s hopes of posting a competitive total.
