Ryan Rickelton’s fighting 71 was not enough to prevent South Africa from slipping to a 17-run defeat against Australia in the first T20I at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Friday.
South Africa chose to field first and quickly found themselves under pressure. Australia attacked from the outset, racing past 70 runs in the powerplay. The momentum shifted briefly when Kwena Maphaka ripped through the middle order, claiming four wickets as Australia stumbled to 75 for 6.
The preceding collapse created an opening for Tim David, whose subsequent assault decisively recalibrated the contest. David’s blistering 83 rescued Australia from the depths, propelling the innings to 178 all out and furnishing the bowlers with a defendable target on a surface bedeviled by variable bounce.
South Africa’s chase began cautiously, but early risks cost them. Captain Aiden Markram and Lhuan-dre Pretorius fell cheaply, followed by the dangerous Dewald Brevis in the sixth over. At 3 for 49, the visitors were in trouble.
Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs rebuilt the innings with a 72-run stand that gave South Africa a chance. The partnership lasted nine overs before Josh Hazlewood removed Stubbs, leaving Rickelton to push on with the tail.
The opener reached his second T20I fifty from 43 balls, keeping the visitors in the hunt. But with 21 needed off the final over, the task proved too much. Rickelton was dismissed in the last moments for a 55-ball 71 that included seven fours and one six.
It was a lone hand in an otherwise faltering batting effort. Only Stubbs managed more than 15, and the lack of support left South Africa short despite showing glimpses of control earlier in the match.
Rickelton now has 334 runs in T20Is at an average of 23.85. South Africa will look to regroup before the second game, knowing they came close but lacked the finish to match Australia’s surge.
