Cairns: Australia pulled off a sensational series win over South Africa in the third T20I at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns, chasing down 172 to win by two wickets with a ball to spare and sealing the series 2-1.

The highlight of South Africa’s innings was Dewald Brevis, who lit up the ground with a blistering 53 off just 26 balls, smashing four sixes in one over and setting the record for the fastest T20I fifty by a South African against Australia, reaching his mark in just 22 deliveries. In the series, Brevis compiled 180 runs, breaking Babar Azam’s record for the most runs against Australia in a three-match bilateral T20I series, and falling just short of Virat Kohli’s all-time record of 199 runs.

Thanks to Brevis, Aiden Markram (31 off 27), and David Miller (28 off 19), South Africa posted a competitive 172/7. Australia’s bowlers, especially Nathan Ellis, who picked up 3/ 37 runs, and Josh Hazlewood with 2/27, were instrumental in restricting the visitors from an even bigger total.

Australia’s chase, though, was anything but straightforward. The top order lost wickets to the probing South African attack, Lungi Ngidi taking 3/26 runs, Kagiso Rabada with 2/35, and Corbin Bosch also contributing a wicket. Despite the setbacks, Glenn Maxwell strode out under immense pressure. He anchored the chase with a magical 62 off 36 balls, peppering boundaries and keeping the required rate in control even as wickets fell around him. Maxwell’s calm and brilliance at the death were key, and his ability to find the fence with a crucial boundary off Ngidi in the final over ultimately sealed Australia’s win.

Mitchell Marsh set up the chase with a crucial 54 off 37 balls, ensuring Australia didn’t lose touch after early wickets, but it was Maxwell who finished the match and the series.

Australia ended with 173/8 in 19.5 overs to win by two wickets, confirming their series victory.