Scorchers beat Strikers to win Top End T20 Series 2025

DARWIN: Baxter Holt’s sublime century powered the Perth Scorchers Academy to the Top End T20 Series trophy as they edged out the Adelaide Strikers Academy by 15 runs at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2 on Sunday.

Earlier, the PS Academy had booked their place in the final by defeating Pakistan Shaheens by 48 runs in the semifinals.

Batting first, Perth Scorchers posted a formidable 205-2, thanks to Holt’s unbeaten 114 off just 63 balls, studded with 12 fours and four sixes. Skipper Teague Wyllie provided fine support with 56 from 44 deliveries, including four boundaries. For the Strikers, Jerrssis Wadia and Hanno Jacobs claimed one wicket each.

In reply, Adelaide Strikers fell short despite a spirited effort, finishing at 190-6 in their 20 overs. After losing opener Jake Winter (1) in the second over, Mackenzie Harvey and Harry Manenti stitched together a rapid partnership that lifted hopes for their side.

Manenti smashed 60 off 31 balls with six fours and four sixes before falling, while Harvey carried his bat with a valiant 83 not out from 52 balls, laced with eight fours and four sixes.

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The turning point came in the 18th over when Perth struck twice — dismissing Harry Nielsen for 28 and Ryan King in quick succession — reducing the Strikers to 172-4. With just 18 runs coming in the final two overs, the Scorchers sealed victory.

For Perth, Matthew Spoors and Keaton Critchell were the pick of the bowlers, bagging two wickets apiece.

Australia crushes South African to win ODI series

Separately, Cameron Green slapped a 47-ball century with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh also blasting tons as Australia crushed South Africa by 276 runs in a record-breaking third and final one-day international on Sunday in Mackay.

🚨2ND FASTEST ODI HUNDRED🚨

– Cameron Green scores 2nd fastest ODI Hundred for Australia. 100 in just 47 balls🤯 pic.twitter.com/YUSTPQPH2y

— Rayham (@RayhamUnplugged) August 24, 2025

The hosts were playing for pride, down 2-0 in the series, and responded magnificently, posting an ominous 431-2 after opting to bat — their highest ODI total on home soil.

They then dismissed the Proteas for 155 in the 25th over, with spinner Cooper Connolly taking 5-22.

Head was supreme in blazing 142 off 103 balls, ably supported by skipper Marsh (100 from 106).

Their 250-run platform at Great Barrier Reef Arena was Australia’s highest ever opening partnership against the Proteas, bettering the 170 by Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist in Durban in 2002.

Green then took over with a whirlwind 118 not out to mark the first time Australia’s top three have all scored centuries. Alex Carey was unbeaten on 50, with the 18 sixes slogged between them also a record  at home.

“A pretty crazy day, a full performance by the lads,” said Marsh.

“But full credit to South Africa, they played outstandingly well in the first two games and were too good for us.”

South Africa did themselves no favours by resting quicks Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi, with their second-string attack outplayed.

After Marsh won the toss, the openers made an aggressive start, driving Australia to 86 after the 10-over powerplay.

Head was in ominous touch, crunching boundaries with ease to reach his half-century off 32 deliveries.

At the other end, Marsh slammed two big sixes as he also got in the groove, going after the Proteas’ fresh new-ball pairing of Kwena Maphaka and Wiaan Mulder.

Batted beautifully

With the bowlers running out of ideas, Head cruised to a seventh ODI century, pushing Senuran Muthusamy for an easy single.

He then really let rip with a series of big hits before being caught in the deep by Dewald Brevis off Keshav Maharaj after crunching 17 fours and five sixes.

Marsh battled to three figures soon after but was out next ball, taken on the run by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton after he skied Muthusamy.

But the onslaught was far from over with Green producing a sizzling display of power-hitting, including three giant sixes in a row off Muthusamy to post his maiden ODI century.

Only Glenn Maxwell (40 balls) has scored a faster hundred for Australia.

“The two openers, they batted beautifully so me and ‘Kez’ (Carey) could just bat with a lot of freedom,” said Green.

South Africa’s chase started badly with four wickets down for 50 inside nine overs.

Sean Abbott accounted for Aiden Markram (two) and skipper Temba Bavuma (19) while Xavier Bartlett took care of Rickelton (11) and Tristan Stubbs (one).

The visitors’ big hope was Brevis and he produced some fireworks in his 49 before Green caught him on the ropes off Connolly, who then cleaned up the tail.

“We were under the pump from the first ball and didn’t really pitch up today,” said Bavuma. “They put us under pressure and we didn’t have the answers.”

Sadiq Khan