Australia End ODI Series With Win Over South Africa
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
POTCHEFSTROOM: Australia finished their three-match ODI series against South Africa with a 45-run victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the final match at Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
Australia posted 322-9 in 50 overs before rain interrupted South Africa’s chase. The hosts were 145-4 after 28 overs when play was stopped and were behind the required scoring rate.
South Africa had already secured the series by winning the opening two matches, but Australia responded with a stronger performance in the final game.
Australian captain Mitchell Marsh praised the improvement shown by his team, particularly with the bat.
Marsh said the performance from several younger players was an encouraging sign despite Australia losing the series overall. He also pointed to the experience gained from playing against a strong South African side on home conditions.
Carey leads Australia’s batting
Australia made a quick start after South Africa stand-in captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to field.
Marsh and Travis Head added 78 runs from 53 balls for the opening wicket. Australia then received useful contributions throughout the batting order.
Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey top-scored with 74 from 88 balls, while Marsh made 56. Oliver Peake scored 48 and Matt Renshaw added 30.
For South Africa, Corbin Bosch was the most successful bowler, taking 4-60. Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams claimed two wickets each.
Australia keep South Africa under pressure
South Africa’s chase began with early setbacks. Australian fast bowler Xavier Bartlett dismissed Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram during the opening powerplay.
Ryan Rickelton provided the main resistance with an unbeaten 71, but South Africa struggled to maintain the required scoring rate.
Adam Zampa also bounced back after an expensive outing in the earlier matches, finishing with 2-33 from six overs.
Pat Cummins, returning to ODI cricket for the first time since November 2024, bowled five economical overs and conceded only 17 runs without taking a wicket.
South Africa were further affected when Tony de Zorzi suffered a hamstring injury while fielding and could not continue.
South Africa look ahead to Test series
South Africa rested several key players for the final ODI, including captain Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj.
Bavuma said the decision was aimed at giving other players opportunities while also keeping the squad prepared for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, beginning in Durban on October 9.
Despite the final-match defeat, South Africa won the ODI series 2-1.
