South Africa has been set a 179-run target for victory in the T20 series opener against Australia in Darwin.

Australia was bowled out for 178 in 20 overs following a 52-ball 83 from Tim David, who rescued the hosts following an early collapse of 6-60 at Marrara Stadium. The powerful slugger, elevated to No. 5, cracked eight monstrous sixes in front of a sold-out crowd, steering the Australians towards a defendable total.

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Teenage paceman Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the South Africa bowlers with career-best figures of 4-20 from four overs, while fellow speedster Kagiso Rabada claimed two wickets.

Australia’s top-order swung for the fences after South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl, with captain Mitchell Marsh slapping the first delivery over the long-off boundary.

The slogging hosts lost three wickets within eight deliveries during the Powerplay as Rabada created early inroads with the new ball — Marsh and opening partner Travis Head both fell victim to the superstar quick, while wicketkeeper Josh Inglis picked out point for a golden duck.

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Beers in hand! Catch of the day STUNS | 00:54

Cameron Green clobbered three sixes during a 13-ball 35 before top-edging a well-disguised slower ball from Lungi Ngidi, prompting another brief collapse of 3-5 from 12 deliveries.

The Australians were suddenly in strife at 6-75 in the eighth over when all-rounders Mitchell Owen and Glenn Maxwell fell cheaply, exposing the tail before the drinks break.

The scoring tempo steadied when David and Ben Dwarshuis, who struck a career-best 17, rebuilt the innings with a 59-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Tristan Stubbs put down a regulation chance at long-on to gift David an extra life on 56, with the West Australian rubbing salt into the wounds by thumping the next two deliveries into the stands.

David, dropped again on 83, farmed the strike after Dwarshuis’ departure but holed out to long-on during the penultimate over, earning a standing ovation from the Darwin crowd as he trudged off the field.

Australia will set a new national record of nine consecutive wins in men’s T20Is if they topple the South Africans on Sunday.

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