With Australia down to 29/2, skipper Mitchell Marsh and Tim David launched a scathing counter-attack. This kept the required rate under check. Although Marsh departed, David's 23-ball half-century kept Australia alive.

Tim David continued his form in T20Is from where he left off in the West Indies, in Darwin against South Africa, smashing a 52-ball 83, taking Australia to a competitive score of 178, despite being six down for just 75.

Power-hitter Tim David said the team’s aggressive start in the T20I series opener, when Australia routed South Africa by 17 runs, is part of the new approach they’re taking in preparation for the World Cup next year.