Watch: Nathan Ellis tore through South Africa’s batting lineup in the second T20I of the SA v AUS series on Friday (September 1), nicking off Dewald Brevis and taking two wickets in as many balls in a maiden over.

South Africa started strongly against Australia after suffering a heavy defeat in the first match of the series. Temba Bavuma hit seven boundaries in the first three overs of the game before he fell to Sean Abbott for a 16-ball 35. After Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed in the following over from Jason Behrendorff, South Africa were faltering at 46-2.

Ellis was brought onto bowl for the final over of the powerplay and compounded South Africa’s capitulation. Reeza Hendricks, who had opened the innings with Bavuma but only managed to face six balls by the fifth over, was on strike. He played out Ellis’ first ball for a dot to mid-off before the second almost took out his middle stump. From the third ball, however, Ellis didn’t miss.

He bowled a skiddy, straight delivery to Hendricks, who missed the ball and was hit just below the knee roll. Given out immediately, Hendricks had a brief chat with Aiden Markram over reviewing the decision, but wisely decided it against it.

That brought the exciting Brevis to the crease for his second T20I innings. On debut in the first match of the series, he lasted six balls and scored five runs before he was dismissed by Tanveer Sangha. This time, he fell first ball to Ellis, a full ball outside off taking his edge through to the keeper. As Brevis headed back to the dugout, Ellis geared up for a hat-trick ball.

Tristan Stubbs came out to try and stem the flow of wickets, but almost gave Ellis three in three. He just managed to get his bat out of the way to avoid also edging behind. A dot ball from the final delivery completed a devastating over from Ellis. From 36-0 at the end of the third over, South Africa had tumbled to 46-4 at the end of the sixth.

Watch: Nathan Ellis nicks of Dewald Brevis for a golden duck below

For UK viewers:

Back-to-back wickets for Nathan Ellis! 😮🌪️ pic.twitter.com/U1ip6O1ycg

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 1, 2023

In the rest of the world:

Dewald Brevis Out on a golden duck , beauty from Nathan Ellis#SAvAUS #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/4AYKYcagiV

— Shoaib Awan (@shoaibawan365) September 1, 2023

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