Glenn Maxwell Not Finished Yet: Key Takeaways From AUS vs SA T20I Series

Jatin

Glenn Maxwell and Dewald Brevis [Source: @Saabir_Saabu01, @anj_shas/x.com]Glenn Maxwell and Dewald Brevis [Source: @Saabir_Saabu01, @anj_shas/x.com]

The three-match T20I series between Australia and South Africa was laden with exciting cricket action. Cairns and Darwin witnessed sixes flying into the stands, bowlers getting carted around and some clutch performances under pressure.

In the end, Australia held their nerve in the decider to win the series 2-1 but the scoreline only tells half the story. This AUS vs SA T20I series was packed with moments that will be remembered long after the dust has settled.

Let’s take a look at major takeaways from AUS vs SA T20I series.

1. Glenn Maxwell Shows Why Aussies Trust Him

Glenn Maxwell has always been a high-risk entertainer but in the final T20I in Cairns, he reminded everyone why the Aussies keep backing him. He came into the decider with just one fifty in his last 23 T20 knocks across all formats. Questions were floating around whether he had lost his touch.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Maxwell smashed an unbeaten 62 off 36 balls under immense pressure to drag Australia across the finish line as they chased a 173-run target with two wickets and one ball to spare. 

He mixed brute force with cheeky strokes, showing that he still owns the middle-to-late overs when he is in the zone. Beyond the runs, his off-spin and fielding remain hugely important for balance. Maxwell may be inconsistent but when the pressure is on, he knows how to turn the game.

2. Dewald Brevis Shows Why Hype Is Real

If there was one shining light for South Africa, it was Dewald Brevis. The youngster, nicknamed “Baby AB,” played like a seasoned superstar. He hammered a jaw-dropping 125* in Darwin, followed it with a blistering half-century in Cairns and ended the series with 180 runs at an average of 90 and a strike rate touching 205.

Brevis toyed with Australia’s bowling, sending the white ball soaring into the night sky. His ability to shift gears, punish spinners and dominate fast bowlers makes him a generational talent. South Africa may have lost the series, but in Brevis they discovered a match-winner who looks destined to lead their T20 batting in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

3. Tim David’s Rise From Cameo Player To Lead Batter

For Australia, the biggest positive from the series was the rise of Tim David as more than just a finisher. Once known for his late-innings cameos, David showed he can anchor the middle order and still launch when it matters. 

Having been promoted up the order, he smashed a match-winning 83 off 52 in the opener at No. 5 and followed it up with a blistering 50 off 24 in the second T20I while batting at No. 4. Across the series, he amassed 150 runs at a strike rate of 176.47 and turned games on their head with clean hitting. 

What makes David precious is his ability to clear the ropes at will, giving Australia a safety net in chases and a launchpad in first innings. When he walks out, the equation suddenly feels smaller, the pressure shifts and bowlers know they are in for punishment. 

With the T20 World Cup 2026 around the corner, David is shaping into Australia’s go-to man in the middle order, the one who can steady the ship and then set it on fire in the space of ten balls.

4. Kwena Maphaka Announces Himself

Every series throws up a youngster who makes everyone sit up and for South Africa it was Kwena Maphaka. At just 19, the left-arm quick showed why he is rated so highly. He finished the series as the leading wicket-taker with 9 scalps in three matches, including a superb 4/20 in the first T20I that rattled Australia’s top order.

Yes, he went for runs at times, his economy was over 10 but that is part of the learning curve for a young pacer. What stood out was his skill to strike early and snag big wickets under pressure. South Africa may have lost the series but they unearthed a gem in Maphaka, who looks ready to be their spearhead for the next decade.