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AB de Villiers smashed a sensational century while Aaron Phangiso and Imran Tahir ran riot with the ball, helping South Africa Champions crush Australia Champions by 95 runs in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.
Chasing a stiff target of 242, the Australian side crumbled for 146 in 16.4 overs at Headingley, despite a defiant 59* from Ben Cutting.
South Africa’s bowling unit fired on all cylinders, led by Phangiso’s 4-22 and Tahir’s 3-20, dismantling Australia’s top order within the powerplay.
Australia were 32-4 inside six overs after Tahir dismissed Chris Lynn on the first ball and Shaun Marsh fell for 18.
D’Arcy Short and Daniel Christian were dismissed on successive deliveries, pushing Australia into early disarray.
Ben Dunk and Callum Ferguson offered brief resistance, but Phangiso struck again to dismiss Dunk, triggering a collapse to 67-8 by the 10th over.
A 79-run stand between Ben Cutting (59) and Peter Siddle (19)* gave some late hope, but the damage was done. Siddle’s dismissal ended the innings at 146, far short of the target.
Earlier, after winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat and posted a commanding 241-6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a 187-run opening stand between AB de Villiers and JJ Smuts.
De Villiers dazzled the crowd with an explosive 123 off 46 balls, hitting 8 sixes and 15 fours. He reached his half-century in just 20 balls and brought up his second consecutive WCL ton by hammering 22 runs in one over off D’Arcy Short.
Smuts played second fiddle but also shone brightly, scoring 85 off 53 deliveries with 10 fours and 3 sixes. The duo put Australia on the back foot early, scoring 78 runs in the powerplay and reaching 160 by the 12th over.
Australia pulled things back slightly at the death, with Peter Siddle claiming 3-36 and stemming the flow of runs. However, the Proteas total proved too much for the Aussies.
Playing XIs
Australia Champions
Shaun Marsh, Chris Lynn, D Arcy Short, Ben Dunk(w), Callum Ferguson, Ben Cutting, Daniel Christian, John Hastings, Steve O’Keefe, Brett Lee(c), Peter Siddle
South Africa Champions
AB de Villiers, Henry Davids, JJ Smuts, Sarel Erwee, Jacques Rudolph, Jean-Paul Duminy, Morne van Wyk(w), Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso(c), Hardus Viljoen, Duanne Olivier
