NEW DELHI: Left-handed opener Travis Head played a blistering innings of 91 from 48 balls to guide Australia to a comprehensive five-wicket victory over South Africa in Durban, securing a clean sweep in their three-match Twenty20 International series.
Throughout the series, Australia demonstrated their dominance over a depleted South African side on the compact Kingsmead ground, showcasing superior performances with both bat and ball. The home team, on the other hand, struggled with their fielding, contributing to their defeats.
“We had a great team effort this tour, we prepared well and took the game on,” new Australia T20 captain Mitch Marsh said at the post-match presentation. “We are building towards next year’s (T20) World Cup and I am really pleased with the players who have come into the team and stepped up.”

Opting to bat first, South Africa posted a competitive total of 190 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, their highest score in the series. However, it was insufficient to thwart Australia, who comfortably chased down the target with 13 balls to spare.
Debutant middle-order batsman Donovan Ferreira was the top scorer for South Africa, amassing 48 from 21 balls before being run out in the final over. Other South African batsmen, including opener Reeza Hendricks (42 from 30 deliveries) and captain Aiden Markram (41 from 23 balls), made promising starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores.
Seamer Sean Abbott delivered a standout performance for Australia, recording career-best figures of 4-31.

“While we were slightly better today, we are still not where we want to be, but on an upward curve,” South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, noted. “The ODI series will be important for us ahead of the World Cup, to work on combinations and get our best team out on the park.”
While South Africa momentarily had hope after reducing Australia to 43 for two in the fifth over, the visitors managed to maintain an impressive run rate throughout their innings, never appearing in trouble.
“The ODI series will be important for us ahead of the World Cup, to work on combinations and get our best team out on the park,” Markram added.

Head and Josh Inglis formed a pivotal partnership, contributing 85 runs in just 42 balls for the third wicket. Inglis played a valuable role, scoring 42 from 22 deliveries, effectively taking the game away from South Africa.
Australia’s convincing win in the T20 series showcased their prowess, leaving them in good stead as they shift their focus to the ODI series and continue their preparations for the highly anticipated Cricket World Cup in India.
(With inputs from Reuters)