... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, South Africa were invited to bat on a difficult batting surface. Nearly everyone struggled but Dewald Brevis was batting on another planet. His excellent 53 (26) combined with a composed 38 (26) from Rassie van der Dussen gave them the score of 172 to defend, which, by no means, was a walkover. However, given that they were 108/3 in the 11th over, they will feel they should have got at least 10-15 runs more. Death overs batting has been the main problem in this series for the visitors. Once again, Australia had no answers to Brevis' firepower, but once he was out of the way, they came back stormingly. Nathan Ellis picked up a 3-fer while Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa were economical. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Got to feel for South Africa. Came close in the tri-series final against New Zealand recently in Zimbabwe and have finished second yet again here. They will feel that the new-ball bowling let them down, as they did not pick up a single wicket. Australia's collapses have been wel documented over the months, so even one Powerplay wicket could have made the difference. Additionally, they dropped a few catches, which was pretty un-South Africa like and eventually, those small moments cost them. But the way they bounced back was heartening, especially, Corbin Bosch, who bowled a double-wicket 19th over, to give his side a sniff. Kwena Maphaka showed his form from the first T20I, but his first and third overs cost him badly.

Glenn James Maxwell. Came in when his side were tottering at 88/4. Played the way he usually plays, racing off to a start. Then, he started to run out of batting partners. David and Hardie were dismissed in quick succession and now, Australia needed 51 from 37 balls, with 4 wickets in hand. No problem, said Maxi. Enter Ben Dwarshuis and one suspects, he must have told him, 'Ben, you need to be Cummins for me here, and treat South Africa as a rampant Afghanistan at the Wankhede in the 2023 ODI World Cup. That night, in an unbeaten stand of 202, Cummins made 12. Here, in a crucial stand of 41, Dwarshuis made just 1. But crucially, Cummins that time and Dwarshuis this time, made sure that they followed Maxwell's advice. Towards the end, the South Africans came roaring back again through Corbin Bosch but Maxwell held them off, with an unbeaten 62.

After top-order collapses in the first two games, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh got off to a flier in the third. They attacked the new ball and hammered 52 in the Powerplay. Actually, it was plainly Marsh hammering the ball, getting his first half century after 18 T20Is and nearly 18 months. He rode his luck, getting dropped early by Kagiso Rabada and made the Proteas pay. However, the South Africans kept believing and fought back. Head was dismissed by Markram yet again and from 66/0, the side slipped to 88/4, which further became 120/5 as David had an off night. But there was someone else too, who keeps on getting forgotten time and again.

What a grand match for the grand finale. Very rarely do we get such matches which are thrillers as a finale. In terms of the batting firepower, 173 was never going to challenge Australia. But it was the pitch which made all the difference. The balls were bouncing a bit high and some were stopping and coming. And on such a pitch, the new ball was always the key, because it is hard and runs could come quickly.

The Big Show roars. Makes a statement. Never. Write. Me. Down. Ever. Definitely even more so when all the batting stocks have been exhausted. Once again, Glenn Maxwell reminds everyone of the skill he possesses and the Aussies are up in delight in the dugout.

Last over. 10 needed. South Africa scored 11. Lungi Ngidi to bowl. 3-0-24-0 so far.

Adam Zampa walks in next, at number 10, replacing Nathan Ellis, to face the hattrick ball!

Nathan Ellis walks in next, at number 9, replacing Ben Dwarshuis.

After 18 overs, Australia are 161/6. At the same stage, South Africa were 151/6.