Ellis, Zampa keep SA to 172 after Brevis blitz

Dewald Brevis added a scintillating 53 from 26 balls to his match-winning 125* in the second match to help guide South Africa to a total of 172-7 after being asked to bat first in the deciding match of their T20 International series against Australia at the Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns on Saturday.

Brevis struck six sixes, three of which disappeared over the main grandstand roof with pull and hook shots while the other trio were driven straight down the ground in characteristic fashion.

Brevis added just a single boundary before a pulling a slower-ball bouncer from seamer Nathan Ellis to deep midwicket where Glenn Maxwell held an outstanding, running catch leaving the innings faltering on 110-4 in the 12th over.

Tristan Stubbs (25 from 23 balls) failed to find his rhythm with just two fours before being bowled by legspinner Adam Zampa although Rassie van der Dussen, in the unfamiliar position of No 6, ensured a competitive total with a crisp 38 not out from 26 deliveries with three fours.

Captain Aiden Markram completed a disappointing series in his new role as opener adding just a single to scores of 18 and 12 before edging his third ball to slip but Lhuan-dre Pretorius bristled with intent driving and pulling five fours in 15 balls before pulling another Ellis slower ball straight to midwicket to depart for 24.

Right armer Ellis (3-31) was the pick of the seamers but Zampa’s 2-24 may yet be crucial with South Africa’s total looking between 10 and 15 runs short of a par score at the halfway stage.

AUSTRALIA: Mitch Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (captain), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi.