In a display of power-hitting, South Africa’s 22-year-old prodigy Dewald Brevis turned heads and tables alike in the second T20I against Australia in Darwin, steering his team to a dominant 53-run victory and levelling the three-match series 1‑1.
Brevis delivered a landmark performance, smashing an unbeaten 125 off just 56 balls, striking 12 fours and eight sixes. His innings stands as the highest individual T20I score by a South African and the second-fastest century in the format for the nation — achieved in just 41 deliveries. The only faster T20I ton for South Africa belongs to David Miller, who reached triple figures in 35 balls.
This explosive knock also marked the highest T20I score ever recorded on Australian soil by any batter.
Australia began well, dismissing batting threats and reducing South Africa to 57‑3 inside seven overs thanks to early breakthroughs from Ben Dwarshuis and Glenn Maxwell. But Brevis altered the course of the game with an electrifying counterattack, supported by a 126‑run partnership with Tristan Stubbs. The Proteas posted a formidable 7/218, their highest T20I total against Australia on record.
Chasing what seemed like an insurmountable total, Australia faltered. Top-order dismissals of key players Travis Head and Cameron Green put them immediately on the back foot. Tim David’s scintillating 50 off 23 balls provided some hope, but Kagiso Rabada’s vital breakthrough ended that fleeting resurgence.
Despite Alex Carey’s brief resistance with 26 off 18, the Aussies were bundled out for 165 in 17.4 overs. South Africa’s well-oiled attack led by Corbin Bosch (3/20), Lungi Ngidi (1/19), and Rabada (1/21) sealed the emphatic win, ending Australia’s nine-match winning streak in the format.
Series Now Tied, Final Game Awaits
With both teams locked at 1‑1, the series heads to Cairns for a thrilling decider on 16 August.
Brevis’s scintillating knock not only marked his arrival on the big stage but also indicated a changing of the guard. As “Baby AB” scales new heights, cricket enthusiasts wait with bated breath for how this promising talent will continue to transform the game.
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