On Saturday, Australia and South Africa will contest the third and final T20 International at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns, with the series level at one victory apiece. Play is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. IST, and the encounter will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar and FanCode.
Australia claimed the opener by 17 runs, led by Tim David’s rapid half-century. South Africa struck back in the second game with a commanding 53-run win, thanks to Dewald Brevis’s maiden T20I century. The result has set up a rare decider between two sides that often see their contests decided early.
Cazaly’s Stadium, more familiar with domestic cricket, will host its first men’s T20 international. Conditions are expected to suit seamers in the early stages, with Cairns’ tropical climate producing swing and bounce. As the match progresses, spinners may find more assistance through the middle overs, while batting could get easier under lights.
Head-to-head numbers favor Australia. South Africa have won just nine of 27 T20Is against them, and the Australians swept the last bilateral series 3-0 in 2023. At home, Australia hold a 6-2 record against South Africa in this format.
Form players stand out on both sides. David has scored 133 runs at a strike rate of 175 across the first two matches, making him the series’ top run-scorer. Brevis’s century has already been a standout moment for South Africa. In the bowling department, Australia’s Ben Dwarshuis has taken five wickets at an economy rate of 6.25, while teenager Kwena Maphaka has impressed with seven wickets across two games.
Probable line-ups suggest both teams will stick with similar combinations. Australia are expected to open with Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh, while South Africa’s batting will once again revolve around Aiden Markram, Brevis, and Rassie van der Dussen.
With the series on the line, Cairns is set to witness a contest that could swing either way. Australia have history and conditions on their side. South Africa, though, have momentum and a young group eager to prove themselves.
