Glenn Maxwell Battles Nerves as Big Show’s Reverse Scoop on Penultimate Ball Seals Thrilling Victory

Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls to lead Australia to victory in the third and final T20I against South Africa.

Glenn Maxwell Stars as Australia Clinches Thrilling Series Win Against South Africa

Glenn Maxwell’s bat had been quiet leading into the third and final T20I against South Africa, but the experienced campaigner delivered when it mattered most. His unbeaten 62 off 36 balls propelled Australia to a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Proteas, sealing the series 2-1 on Saturday in Cairns. The match came down to the penultimate ball, with Maxwell executing a stunning reverse scoop to take his team over the line.

Australia needed four runs from the final two balls, and Maxwell faced the bowling of Lungi Ngidi. When Ngidi delivered a full toss on the stumps, Maxwell’s reverse scoop cleared the short third fielder and raced to the boundary, securing the win.

In the final over, Australia required 10 runs off six balls. Maxwell skillfully farmed the strike, handling all five deliveries himself and ensuring Mitchell Marsh’s side crossed the finish line.

Despite wickets tumbling around him, Maxwell remained fearless, playing his natural game and punishing loose deliveries for boundaries. His heroic effort in the closing stages was the difference between victory and defeat, earning Australia a memorable series-clinching win.

GLENN MAXWELL WINS IT ON THE SECOND LAST BALL!#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/gvrzvyHnGc

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 16, 2025

For his match-winning effort, Glenn Maxwell was named Player of the Match. Speaking to the broadcaster, the Australian all-rounder admitted the closing stages were nerve-wracking but credited his calmness for guiding the team to victory.

“It was nerve-wracking when we lost a couple of wickets in a row. Corbin Bosch bowled a brilliant over. To keep the run-rate near 9 or 10, we were down to two wickets, and I had to keep the majority of the strike. Nice to get a couple out of the middle right at the end. I just stay calm, watch the ball, try and not preempt too much, understand the areas where I can get the boundaries and where I can get the twos,” Maxwell said.

He added, “I just tried to stay on strike as much as possible. We’ve had a great run with this T20 group. To have another series win against a quality opposition in South Africa is great for our confidence heading forward. There are still about 13-14 internationals before the T20 World Cup, and we are building something really nice in this group.”

Mitchell Marsh also scores fifty

Australia T20I captain Mitchell Marsh contributed a strong 54 off 37 balls, putting his team in a commanding position and suggesting a comfortable victory.

However, South Africa’s Corbin Bosch fought back with a brilliant spell of 3/26, keeping the contest alive. In the end, it was Glenn Maxwell’s experience and composure that steered Australia to a thrilling series-clinching win.

Across the three-match series, Australia hit 28 sixes compared to South Africa’s 19. The win extended Australia’s unbeaten run in T20I series since July 2024.

In 2025 alone, Australia have played eight T20Is, winning seven, and smashed 92 sixes—the most by any team this year—demonstrating their formidable power-hitting in the shortest format.

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