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The international cricket spotlight shone bright on Darwin as Australia hosted South Africa for their 1st T20I clash on August 10, 2025. In a match that oscillated between tension and thrill, the hosts flexed their muscles to secure a 17-run win—a victory punctuated by Tim David’s jaw-dropping strike that quite literally hit the roof and electrified fans worldwide.
Tim David’s roof-shattering monstrous six during AUS vs SA 1st T20I
It was the 16th over and the pressure was mounting. Senuran Muthusamy, arm over, dropped one short on the leg stump. David, already threatening with his power, pivoted back and launched the ball with effortless violence. With a clean pull to deep square, the ball soared, climbing the Darwin night sky until it crashed onto the very top of the stadium roof.
At that point in the innings, David was on song, dismantling the South African attack. The six was his sixth of the match and part of a breathtaking 83 from 52 deliveries, an innings featuring four boundaries and eight maximums. His blistering knock turned the tide from a shaky 75/6 to a competitive total. That gigantic hit at 15.4 overs—“pulled onto the roof at deep square!”—instantly became a highlight that will be replayed for years, symbolizing both his confidence and his raw, match-defining power.
Here’s the video:
Tim David knows sometimes a six is so good there's nothing for it but to sit back and admire! #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/h8jCZ6geVT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 11, 2025
Also WATCH: Glenn Maxwell takes ‘catch of the season’ to dismiss Ryan Rickelton in the 1st T20I
Australia edge past over South Africa in the opening T20I
South Africa’s spirited start with the ball saw early wickets—Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Mitchell Marsh were all back in the pavilion before the 4th over. Cameron Green’s aggressive 35 from 13 balls gave Australia much needed momentum, but it was David’s calm in crisis and ferocious acceleration in the late overs that steered the side to 178 from their allotted 20 overs.
Kwena Maphaka (4/20) led the South African attack with skill, but Australia’s lower order, including handy cameos from Ben Dwarshuis (17) and Nathan Ellis (12), ensured David had enough support. The match flow tells a story of recovery: at 75/6 after 7.4 overs, Australia’s seventh wicket partnership mushroomed to add 50 in just 34 balls and helped set South Africa a daunting target.
The chase saw the Proteas stutter out of the blocks, losing three wickets in the powerplay—Aiden Markram, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Dewald Brevis gone with just 48 on the board. Ryan Rickelton’s 71 (55) anchored hopes and Tristan Stubbs added 37, but regular wickets—three each for Josh Hazlewood and Dwarshuis—stifled their momentum. Adam Zampa chipped in with two middle-order wickets to further tighten Australia’s grip.
Despite South Africa reaching 150 in the 19th over, late breakthroughs sealed the result. Australia’s discipline and David’s game-changing innings made the difference as the home side claimed a 17-run victory. David was deservedly named both Player of the Match after providing not just a batting masterclass but also a moment of pure cricketing theatre with his massive six onto the Darwin roof.
Also READ: Tim David, bowlers shine in Australia’s hard-fought win over South Africa in 1st T20I
