Brevis 125* guides SA to 53-run win, level series vs Australia

South Africa rallied to level the series with a 53-run win over Australia in the second T20I, staged at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. Dewald Brevis produced a sensational 125 not out off 56 balls, the highest individual score by a South African in men’s T20Is and the youngest to reach a century in this format for his country, as the Proteas posted 218 for seven and defended the total to end Australia’s chase at 165 all out in 17.4 overs.

Brevis’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive yet calculated hitting. He reached fifty off 25 balls and accelerated to a hundred in 41 deliveries, before finishing with 12 fours and eight sixes. His century came in a standout partnership with Tristan Stubbs, who contributed 31 as their 126-run stand for the fourth wicket transformed a promising start into a commanding total. While the early loss of openers and a few middle-order collapses limited South Africa’s progress at times, Brevis’s blitz ensured the innings never wavered, setting a frame of reference for the series ahead.

Australia’s reply began with hopes of a quick chase, but the Proteas set the tone with disciplined bowling and key strikes. Travis Head fell early to Aiden...