Australia secured a 17-run victory over South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series on Sunday in Darwin.
Australia Extend T20I Winning Streak to Nine with Dominant Win Over South Africa
Mitchell Marsh’s kicked off their three-match T20I series against South Africa with a commanding 17-run victory in Darwin on Sunday. Tim David’s explosive 83-run innings, combined with Josh Hazlewood’s three-wicket haul, powered the hosts to a comfortable win, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. This triumph marked Australia’s ninth consecutive win in T20 Internationals, their longest winning streak in the format.
While impressive, Australia still trail full-member nations India and Afghanistan, who hold the record with 12 consecutive T20I wins each. The overall record belongs to Uganda, with 17 straight victories. Previously, Pakistan and New Zealand had also reached nine consecutive wins, while England’s best streak is eight.
Australia entered the series buoyed by a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in the Caribbean. Despite expectations that South Africa would pose a tough challenge, the hosts brushed aside the Proteas to secure their sixth straight T20I win against them.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mitchell Marsh said, “I didn’t know that until you said it at the toss. In T20 cricket, teams keep going and going. It’s about backing your execution rather than letting the game dictate.” He praised Tim David’s innings and the bowlers’ efforts as key to the victory.
Australia go from 75/6 to 178
At one point in the first T20I, Australia found themselves struggling at 75/6. However, Tim David and Ben Dwarshius steadied the innings with a crucial 59-run partnership for the seventh wicket. David went on to score a brilliant 83 before being dismissed.
Australia and South Africa will face off again in the second T20I on Tuesday at the same venue.
