Author: Australian Associated Press

• South Africa 277; Australia 193 | SA win by 84 runs

• Josh Inglis knock can’t mask another batting failure

Australia have slumped to a seventh defeat from their last eight ODIs, suffering a 84-run loss against South Africa in Mackay that allowed the Proteas to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

After being crushed by 98 runs in Cairns on Tuesday night, Australia again struggled batting under lights as the recent 50-over retirements of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell were laid bare.

• First ODI: South Africa 296-8; Australia 198 | SA win by 98 runs

• Hosts lose six wickets for 29 in Cairns collapse

A career-best haul from veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj has inspired South Africa to a crushing 98-run win over Australia in the first ODI in Cairns.

With Australia cruising at 0-60 chasing the Proteas’ 8-296, Maharaj wreaked havoc during a stunning spell as the hosts lost 6-29 in 55 balls at Cazaly’s Stadium.

• Todd Greenberg sees a future with fewer Test nations

• Winter Tests in Darwin and Cairns could be revived

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has warned some nations will go “bankrupt” if they continue to play the longest format of the game, stressing he sees a future with fewer Test nations.

Admitting he has become a “little unpopular” since taking over from Nick Hockley in March, the former Australian Cricketers’ Association boss believes “scarcity in Test cricket is our friend, not our foe”.

• Batsman hit 12 fours and eight sixes in unbeaten 125

• Hosts made 165 in vain chase of 219 in Darwin

Dewald Brevis lit up Darwin’s Marrara Oval with a blazing century to help South Africa to an imposing 53-run victory over Australia in the second Twenty20 match.

The 22-year-old Brevis scored an unbeaten 125 from 56 balls with 12 fours and eight sixes, propelling South Africa to 7-218 before Australia struggled to 165 in front of another noisy near-capacity crowd on Tuesday night.

• Australia 178; South Africa 161-9 | Australia win by 17 runs

• David scores 83 to lead Australia to win in Darwin

Australia have dominated South Africa’s largely unknown batting lineup to secure an unlikely victory in the first match of a three-game Twenty20 series in Darwin.

South Africa lost by 17 runs in at Marrara Oval on Sunday, bowled out for 161 after Australia were dismissed for a disappointing 178 from the final ball of an innings rescued by Tim David’s 83.