Tim David's 83 runs off just 52 balls have helped get Australia over the line against South Africa in Darwin.
Asked to bat first, Australia were in a tricky situation at 3/30 when Tim David made his way to the crease. He and Cameron Green pulled Australia back into the contest, partnering for 40 runs off just 16 balls before Green was dismissed.
Apart from Green, David had little help from his fellow batters.
Australia came out firing, scoring at 10 runs per over, but this came at the cost of six wickets before the end of the eighth over. After Glenn Maxwell's dismissal, Australia were 6/75.
David, however, was unfazed. He hit eight maximums on his way to 83.
South Africa will be left wondering what could have been after David was dropped in the out-field on 56.
His innings provided great entertainment to the 8,816 spectators in Darwin.
South Africa were unconvincing in the opening stages of their run-chase. Tasked with chasing down 179 runs to win, they slumped to 3/48.
As South Africa's Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs notched a 72-run partnership, it looked like the game could get away from Australia.
That was until "big three" quick Josh Hazlewood collected two wickets in the 15th over.
Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis were instrumental in defending Australia's total, taking three wickets each.
Nathan Ellis had a night to forget with the ball, landing figures of 0/44 off his four overs.
"I think if you'd watched our guys bat over the last period, wherever they bat around the world and when they play for the Australian team, it's close to all guns blazing", Tim David said to the press after the match.
This "all guns blazing" approach is reflected in the fact that Australia has the highest Powerplay strike rate out of all teams who have played at least 10 T20s since the end of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Throughout the Powerplay, Australia has been scoring at a strike rate of 195.92. The team with the second-highest strike rate, England, have been scoring at just 168.84.
This approach has come at the cost of an average 2.07 wickets lost in the Powerplay. That is the most out of any team to have played at least ten games since the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Nevertheless, Australia's T20 side is in formidable form, having won nine-straight international games after last night.
David claims the power-hitting approach is less of a considered plan, but simply the team's batters playing to their strengths.
The higher wicket-toll may be less of a concern for the Aussies, given their batting depth. Last night, Glenn Maxwell was in to bat at seven.
Australia and South Africa will meet in Darwin again for the second T20I on the 12th of August.
