First there were thunderstorms. Then Glenn Maxwell threatened to rain on South Africa's parade.
But in the end, there was no stopping the Proteas from claiming a 21-run victory over Australia in their reduced 10-overs-a-side Twenty20 international on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
After wild storms ensured a two-hour delay to the start, South Africa thrashed 6-108 before restricting the battling hosts to 7-87 in the one-off T20 in front of 12,866 Metricon Stadium fans.
The mercurial Maxwell couldn't stop Australia losing their fourth straight T20 international despite his best efforts, top scoring with 38.
Earlier he impressed in the field with 1-14 and two catches, including a brilliant juggling effort on the boundary rope to dismiss dangerman, captain Faf du Plessis (27).
Maxwell backed Australia to rebound - and they will need to.
They must now prepare for a three-match T20 series against India starting in Brisbane on Wednesday before the summer Tests.
Australia desperately need a confidence boost after the fallout over the ball-tampering scandal, a scathing review and a 2-1 one-day series loss to the Proteas.
"It is disappointing. We came here excited about starting the T20 summer and kicking off with a bang," Maxwell said.
"Unfortunately, in such a short game, a lot can go right and wrong quickly.
"When you have a delay like that, it comes down to who starts better - we started both innings quite poorly."
Australia began the daunting chase well but lost three wickets in seven balls, including the dangerous Chris Lynn (14 off 10 balls), clean bowled by standout Chris Morris (2-12).
First to go was captain Aaron Finch, who looked like he was going to enjoy a happy 32nd birthday when he was dropped on five by Andile Phehlukwayo (2-21).
But two balls later, Finch was clean bowled by Lungi Ngidi (2-16).
In his first outing on tour, allrounder Morris made up for lost time by taking two wickets in three balls to have the hosts in trouble at 3-27 after three overs and the hosts didn't recover despite the big-hitting Maxwell.
The Proteas hit the ground running on Saturday night after the rain delay, which dumped 18mm on the venue in two hours, rattling along at 1-43 off three overs.
But with the Proteas cruising at 14 an over, Maxwell put on the brakes with his offspin before seamers Andrew Tye (2-18) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-19) maintained the pressure.
Australian Associated Press
