Published on: Aug 11, 2025 4:45 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 15, 2025 1:19 pm IST
South Africa’s trip to Australia hasn’t started off on a brighter note. The visitors got humbled in the first T20I at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin by 17 runs, and now it’s time for the second game. Both South Africa and Australia have stayed back in Darwin for the second T20I to be played on the 12th of August.
What went wrong for South Africa in the first game? Well, it was their approach in the batting order that didn’t go their way. Besides Ryan Rickelton, none of the other batters got going in the chase, which also restricted Rickelton from playing with freedom. Rickelton was defensive in his approach, as the batters, on the other hand, weren’t able to build a partnership with the left-hander throughout the innings.
Australia, on the other hand, despite losing quick wickets in the opening overs, rode on a scintillating innings from Tim David. The hard-hitting right-hander scored a magnificent 83 in 52 deliveries, an innings that included 4 fours and 8 sixes. He played a lone hand and took Australia to more than a decent total of 178 in the allotted 20 overs, which was eventually enough to fetch them a win and go 1-0 up in the series.
Having won the first game, Australia will once again start as favorites in this game, whereas South Africa will be hoping to get back to winning ways in this match to keep the series alive. Who will come up as the victor at the end of the 2nd T20I? Well, we’ll find out soon.
Let’s delve deeper into this post for the AUS vs SA Dream11 prediction.
Also Read: AUS vs SA Today’s Match Prediction & Cricket Betting Tips: South Africa Tour of Australia, 2nd T20I, August 12
Date: 12th August 2025 Time: 02:45 PM IST Venue: Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin
Matches Played: 26 AUS won: 18 SA won: 8 No Result: 0
Out of the 26 T20Is played between the two teams, the hosts, Australia, have dominated this head-to-head battle. Australia has 18 wins to their name, whereas South Africa has only managed 8 wins to their name. Talking about the last 5 meetings between the two sides, Australia have dominated at will by winning all 5 fixtures.
The Marrara surface remains a bit unpredictable, as seen in the first T20I. It’s a drop-in pitch that offered variable bounce and a slightly two-paced nature, making shot-making tricky early on. Batters who spent time at the crease were able to accelerate later, with Tim David’s blistering 83 being a prime example. Seamers found early movement and bounce, while spinners came into play as the pitch slowed down in the second innings. With warm, dry conditions expected again, the surface should behave similarly—offering a balanced contest between bat and ball. A first-innings total in the range of 170–185 could prove decisive.
AUS vs SA Team News and Expected Playing XI
AUS Expected Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
SA Expected Playing XI: Ryan Rickelton (WK), Aiden Markram (C), Lhuan Dre-Pretorius, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Senuran Muthusamy/Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka.
As per the betting odds provided by top bookies, the hosts, Australia, are the favorites to win this contest and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The clash between Australia and South Africa will take place on Tuesday, August 12, at 02:45 PM (IST). Online live streaming will take place on the JioHotstar app. The TV live streaming will take place on Star Sports Channels.
Wicket-keepers: Josh Inglis Batters: Aiden Markram, Travis Head, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Cameron Green, Tim David All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Kagiso Rabada
C/VC Options- Dewald Brevis, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Aiden Markram