CRICKET – SOUTH Africa levelled the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia after Dewald Brevis smashed an unbeaten 125 off 56 balls to set up their emphatic 53-run victory in the second match in Darwin yesterday.
Brevis smashed the highest score by a South African batsman in a T20 International to power the tourists to a commanding 218-7 despite a top order wobble at the Marrara Stadium.
Australia were bundled out for 165 in 17.4 overs as their nine-match winning streak in the format came to an end.
Put in to bat, South Africa began briskly but slumped to 57-3 inside seven overs with skipper Aiden Markram among the dismissed trio.
Australia part-time spinner Glenn Maxwell, who opened the attack with Josh Hazlewood, had Markram (18) caught at mid-off and removed Lhuan-dre Pretorius (10) stumped in his next over.
Brevis combined with Tristan Stubbs (31) and counter-attacked in spectacular fashion to prop up South Africa.
Australia wobbled early in their reply, losing opener Travis Head to Markram’s part-time spin in the second over.
Tim David (50) hit his second half-century of the series but Australia kept losing wickets, which derailed their chase.
The teams meet in Cairns on Saturday for the decider.
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