Australia defeated South Africa by 2 wickets in a thrilling third T20I match to clinch the series 1-2.

The deciding T20I between the two teams was played in Cairns on Saturday, in which Australia achieved the target of 173 runs with one ball to spare for the loss of 8 wickets.

Australia won the toss and elected to field. Batting first, South Africa scored 172 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Dewald Brewers scored a brilliant half-century with 53 runs while Russ van der Dussen stood out with 38 runs.

Nathan Ellis took 3 wickets for Australia, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood took 2 wickets each.

In pursuit of the target, Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh scored a half-century with 54 runs, while Glenn Maxwell brought the match to an end with a brilliant innings of 62 runs off 36 balls.

For South Africa, Corbin Bush took 3 wickets, Kagiso Rabada and Kevin Mpaka took 2 wickets each, and Aiden Markram took one wicket.

It should be remembered that in the first T20 match, Australia defeated South Africa by 17 runs, while South Africa was able to win the second match by 53 runs.