Australia’s run chase never recovered from the series of body blows delivered by Keshav Maharaj, as the spinner’s devastating spell sent the hosts crashing to a 98-run defeat. The middle-order collapse he initiated proved to be a knockout punch.
After a steady start at 0-60, the innings was rocked by Maharaj’s introduction. He landed blow after blow, dismissing key batters in quick succession. The loss of six wickets for 29 runs left the chase on the canvas, with little hope of a revival.
Captain Mitch Marsh attempted to fight back, rising from the canvas to score a valiant 88. He absorbed the pressure and tried to launch a counter-attack, but the damage was too severe. He was a lone fighter against an opponent who had already sealed the contest.
The innings was a classic example of a team failing to recover from a concentrated period of high-quality bowling. Maharaj’s spell was not just a collection of wickets; it was a series of knockout blows that ended the fight long before the final bell.