Dewald Brevis scores unbeaten 125 as South Africa defeat Australia in 2nd T20I

Dewald Brevis produced a batting exhibition for the ages as South Africa crushed Australia by 53 runs in the second T20I at the Marrara Oval in Darwin, levelling the three-match series 1-1. The 22-year-old, dubbed “Baby AB” for his similarities to AB de Villiers, smashed an unbeaten 125 off just 56 balls in an innings that was as destructive as it was elegant. 

His knock rewrote the record books, becoming the highest individual T20I score by a South African, the highest in the format on Australian soil, and the youngest century for South Africa in T20 internationals.

Asked to bat first, South Africa found themselves in trouble at 57 for 3 in the seventh over after losing Ryan Rickleton, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and skipper Aiden Markram cheaply. The momentum shifted dramatically when Brevis joined forces with Tristan Stubbs, the pair adding 126 runs off just 57 balls for the fourth wicket. 

Stubbs contributed a valuable 31 off 22 deliveries, allowing Brevis the freedom to unleash a wide array of strokes. The young right-hander reached his maiden T20I century in just 41 balls, the second-fastest by a South African, behind only David Miller’s 35-ball effort.

Brevis’ innings was a calculated assault on every bowler Australia threw at him. He picked his moments to attack, punishing anything short, overpitched, or fractionally off line. The 12 boundaries and eight sixes he struck came off a blend of classic drives, audacious scoops, and towering pulls that cleared the ropes with ease. South Africa eventually closed on 218 for 7, setting Australia a daunting target.

Australia’s reply began with promise as openers Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis looked to make use of the fielding restrictions, but early wickets pegged them back. Tim David offered resistance with a belligerent 50 off 23 balls, threatening to mount a counter-attack, but his dismissal to Kagiso Rabada extinguished Australia’s hopes. 

Also read: Dewald Brevis stuns with no-look six en route to his maiden T20I century against Australia 

Corbin Bosch was the best of the South African bowlers with figures of 3 for 20, while Kwena Maphaka also claimed three wickets but was expensive. Moreover, Rabada and Lungi Ngidi kept the scoring rate in check with disciplined spells. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 165 in 17.4 overs, handing South Africa a resounding win and snapping Australia’s nine-match winning streak in T20Is. 

The series now heads to a decider in Cairns, with both sides knowing momentum and bragging rights are firmly at stake. Brevis’s knock will remain the enduring image from Darwin, an innings that announced his arrival on the world stage in the most emphatic manner possible.