As the Australian openers stepped onto the pitch, chasing a formidable total of 312, the South African bowlers wasted no time showcasing their exceptional ability to swing the ball effectively under the floodlights.
Mitchell Marsh became an early casualty, falling victim to Marco Jansen’s skillful bowling, while Lungi Ngidi snared David Warner with a sharp catch at cover. Adding to Australia’s troubles, a well-judged review by the Proteas resulted in the confident-looking Steve Smith heading back to the pavilion, leaving his team reeling at 50/3 as the powerplay ended.
The responsibility of resurrecting the innings now largely rested on the capable shoulders of Maxwell. Unfortunately, much to the Kangaroos’ dismay, Maxwell couldn’t quite meet the high expectations. In the 17th over’s very first delivery, Maxwell awkwardly closed the face of his bat as Maharaj delivered a ball aimed at his toes.
This led to a leading edge that went straight back to the bowler, resulting in a straightforward catch. Maxwell’s visibly disappointed expression mirrored the dire situation that Australia found themselves in.
Maxwell š¬š³š³#AUSvSApic.twitter.com/2lfORghe6a
— ššš®šš£š (@moonx18_) October 12, 2023
His struggles and the frustration he displayed did not go unnoticed, igniting a flurry of reactions and discussions on social media, highlighting the stress and tension surrounding the team’s performance.