DOWNED DOWN UNDER

THE Proteas lost their opening T20 match against Australia by 17 runs at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Sunday, despite jitz performances from 18-year-old pacer Kwena Maphaka and wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton.

After winning the toss, Proteas captain Aiden Markram chose to field first. Australia started aggressively, with Mitchell Marsh klapping a six off the first ball.

However, early wickets from Kagiso Rabada, George Linde, and Maphaka saw Australia reduced to 30/3. Lungi Ngidi then dismissed Cameron Green for 35, leaving Australia 71/4 at the end of the powerplay.

Maphaka continued to impress, taking 4/20, including the key wickets of Mitchell Owen and big-hitting Tim David, who scored 83 off 43 balls.

David’s innings proved crucial, as he punished a dropped catch by Tristan Stubbs and built a damaging partnership with Ben Dwarshuis. Despite tight spells from spinners Linde and Senuran Muthusamy, Australia posted a challenging total of 178.

South Africa’s reply started positively, with Aiden Markram and Rickelton finding early boundaries. However, the innings quickly faltered as Markram (12), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (14), and Dewald Brevis (2) fell cheaply, leaving the Proteas at 48/3. 

Rickelton and Stubbs put on a 58-run stand to steady the chase. Stubbs made 37 before falling to Josh Hazlewood, who also removed Linde for a duck shortly after. With boundaries drying up and wickets tumbling, the required run rate climbed.

Rickelton was eventually dismissed for 71, caught brilliantly by Glenn Maxwell, as the Proteas closed on 161/9.