LIVE: Aussies off to blistering start in Top End clash after skipper’s first-ball monster

South African captain Aiden Markram has won the toss and chosen to bowl first for the T20 series opener against Australia in Darwin.

International cricket returns to Darwin for the first time in 17 years when Australia hosts South Africa at Marrara Stadium on Sunday evening.

Mitchell Marsh’s men, coming off eight consecutive T20Is, have been boosted by the return of opener Travis Head and bowler Josh Hazlewood, while the Proteas team features the likes of Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis and Kagiso Rabada.

Australia vs South Africa T20I & ODI Series | Watch every ball LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >

With both national building towards next year’s T20 World Cup in the subcontinent, Australia and South Africa will play three T20Is and three ODIs across the Northern Territory and Queensland.

The first T20 gets underway at 7.15pm AEST. If Australia emerge victorious, they will become the first nation to win nine consecutive men’s T20Is.

MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs South Africa first T20 live scorecard

Australia set to renew SA rivalry | 04:22

Australia XI

Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Tim David, Mitch Owen, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa XI

Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi

Follow all the action in our live blog below! Can’t see the blog? CLICK HERE

Click here to read article