Australia took on South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series in Darwin, marking the start of their preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
After returning from the Caribbean tour, Australia rested two key bowlers, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, while Josh Hazlewood retained his place in the playing XI.
In the batting lineup, Glenn Maxwell shifted back to the middle order with Travis Head’s return, but neither made an impact, scoring just 1 off 5 balls and 2 off 7 balls, respectively.
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Tim David and Josh Hazlewood, recent Indian Premier League winners with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), were among the players who stepped up to the occasion and helped Australia take the 1-0 series lead.
David's 83 & Hazlewood's 3-wickets help Australia beat South Africa
After being asked to bat first by South Africa, Australia went all guns blazing but kept losing wickets quickly. The score once read 75/6 in 7.4 overs.
David, who came in to bat at 5 in the third over, held an end and scored a crucial 83(52) to take the Aussies to a total of 179.
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He stitched partnerships with Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis for the 7th and 8th wickets and hit 8 mammoth sixes and 4 fours.
His blistering knock was ended by Kwena Maphaka at 18.2 when he skied one straight down Tristian Stubbs' throat.
Just as South Africa started building serious momentum, Josh Hazlewood pulls out two wickets!#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/m7gYx6ROAg
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 10, 2025
While defending the total, Josh Hazlewood took the wicket of the dangerous Aiden Markram in the first over after being hit for three boudaries.
Later on, Ryan Rickleton and Stubbs were steadily moving closer to the target, with a partnership for the 4th wicket.
Hazlewood was introduced into the attack again after Stubbs had found two fours in the previous over off Zampa. And the in-form pacer did not disappoint.
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Hazlewood dismissed Stubbs for 37(27), followed by George Linde for 0(3) in the same over to pull the Aussies back in the match.
He ended his four overs with 3/27 and guided Australia to a win by 18 runs.
Up next, the teams will lock horns on August 12 at the same venue for the 2nd T20I of the series.