Innings break report: A Tim David six-hitting masterclass has opened Australia’s international summer in stunning fashion as the hosts hit 178 all out in the first BKT Tires T20 against South Africa in Darwin.
David rescued Australia’s innings with a mix of controlled rotation of the strike and trademark belligerent hitting as wickets fell all around him.
He was finally dismissed on 83 with eight sixes having been given a life by Tristan Stubbs at long on when the power hitter was on 56.
David, who punched a record 37-ball century in the West Indies last month, sent sixes to all corners of the ground and popped a ball onto the roof of the Maurice Rioli Stand on the broadcast side of the ground.
Home fans got their first look at Australia’s new-look batting order and frantic approach which was evident from the first ball of the innings.
Captain Mitch Marsh set the standard with an outrageous six off the night’s opening delivery, clubbing a wide length ball from Lungi Ngidi over the extra cover rope.
But wickets lost in the second, third and fourth overs meant the hosts had to decide whether to rein it or keep the foot down.
David walked to the crease with the innings only 19 balls old and showed no signs of getting his eye in.
Combining with Cameron Green, the pair kept swinging hard, putting together a 40-run partnership in 16 balls.
It wasn’t until Ben Dwarshuis walked out in the eighth over with the score on 6-75 did Australia pump the brakes on their gung-ho approach.
Teenage quick Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the South African bowlers, taking career-best 4-20 from four impressive overs.
The 19-year-old made two vital interventions before he even got to bowl, with excellent catches off Marsh and Travis Head.
But by claiming the scalps of Mitch Owen and eventually David, Maphaka had a big say with the ball in his first match on Aussie soil.
BKT Tyres T20I Series – Australia v South Africa
August 10: First T20I, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7pm AEST
August 12: Second T20I, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7pm AEST
August 16: Third T20I, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 7pm AEST
Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
South Africa T20 squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen
BKT Tyres ODI Series – Australia v South Africa
August 19: First ODI, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2:30pm AEST
August 22: Second ODI, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2:30pm AEST
August 24: Third ODI, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2:30pm AEST
Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa
South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen
