Tim David crunched eight sixes in a blistering 83 from 52 balls to help Australia beat South Africa by 17 runs in their opening T20I clash at Darwin on Sunday. 

After being sent in, the hosts were all out for 178 on the final delivery of their 20 overs in the first game of international cricket in Australia’s tropical north for 17 years. 

Left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka bagged 4-20 as South Africa bowled out Australia for the first time in a T20. But David’s phenomenal innings proved enough, with the Proteas restricted to 161-9 in reply. That was despite a battling 71 from Ryan Rickelton. Josh Hazlewood took 3-27 and Ben Dwarshuis 3-26.