Glenn Maxwell of Australia (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Glenn Maxwell pulled off a breathtaking boundary-line catch to help Australia seal a 17-run victory over South Africa in the first T20I in Darwin on Sunday. The stunning effort, which combined athleticism, quick thinking and perfect timing, came in the final over and ended Ryan Rickelton’s defiant innings of 71, all but confirming Australia’s win. With South Africa needing 21 from 5 balls, Rickelton launched a Ben Dwarshuis delivery towards long-on. Maxwell, stationed at the rope, leapt into the air beyond the boundary, flicked the ball back over his shoulder into the field while airborne, landed outside the playing area, then quickly jumped back inside to complete the catch. The moment drew loud cheers from the Darwin crowd as Australia celebrated its ninth consecutive T20I win. Earlier, Tim David’s explosive 83 from 52 balls, featuring eight sixes, powered Australia to 178 all out after a shaky start that saw five wickets fall inside seven overs. Cameron Green (35 off 13) added quick runs, while South Africa’s teenage pacer Kwena Maphaka shone with figures of 4-20, becoming the youngest bowler from an ICC full member nation to take four wickets in a T20I.

Josh Hazlewood’s 3-27 and Dwarshuis’ 3-26 ensured Australia stayed ahead despite a 72-run stand between Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs (37). Hazlewood’s double blow in the 15th over halted the chase before Maxwell’s spectacular boundary magic sealed a memorable night in Darwin. The second match of the series will be played on Tuesday, also in Darwin.