
Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI turned into a one-sided spectacle, but it still delivered high drama and unforgettable moments. Australia dominated the game from start to finish and showed why they remain one of the most dangerous sides in world cricket.
Australia’s innings exploded with intent. Travis Head came out swinging, taking on the bowlers right from the start and racking up an impressive 142 runs off just 103 balls. He combined elegance with sheer power, leaving South Africa on the back foot. At the other end, captain Mitchell Marsh played a controlled yet aggressive knock. He scored 100 runs and ensured the scoring rate never dipped. Then Cameron Green walked in and shifted gears further. He hammered an unbeaten 118 from only 55 balls. His powerful sixes and crisp boundaries thrilled the crowd. It all came together to propel Australia to an impressive score of 431 for 2.
This total did not just challenge South Africa; it created history. It became Australia’s second-highest score in ODI cricket. As a result, South Africa faced an uphill battle even before their chase began.
Australia’s Batting score – 431 (2 wkts, 50 ov)
Players | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
Travis Head | 142 | 103 | 17 | 5 |
Mitchell Marsh (c) | 100 | 106 | 6 | 5 |
Cameron Green* | 118 | 55 | 6 | 8 |
Alex Carey* | 50 | 37 | 7 | 0 |
Bowling Figures
- Keshav Maharaj – 10 ov, 57 runs, 1 wkt
- Senuran Muthumsamy – 9 ov, 75 runs, 1 wkt
South Africa, however, crumbled under pressure. Their top order failed to settle, and wickets fell at regular intervals. Dewald Brevis made a valiant effort, scoring a brisk 49 off just 28 balls. He played with a fearless spirit, effortlessly finding the boundaries. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much support from his teammates at the other end. Consequently, South Africa could not build a single strong partnership.
Australia’s bowlers, meanwhile, attacked with precision. Young spinner Cooper Connolly grabbed the spotlight with a dream performance. He bowled with confidence and picked up 5 wickets for just 22 runs. His variations deceived the batters, and his control silenced South Africa’s hopes. Significantly, Connolly broke a 38-year-old record to become the youngest Australian spinner to claim a five-wicket haul in ODIs. At only 22 years old, he announced himself as a star for the future.
South Africa’s Batting score – 155 (10 wkts, 24.5ov)
Players | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
Aiden Markram | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Ryan Richkelton (wk) | 11 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
Temba Bavuma (c) | 19 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
Tony De Zorzi | 33 | 30 | 6 | 0 |
Tristan Stubbs | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Dewald Brevis | 49 | 28 | 2 | 5 |
Wiaan Mulder | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Corbin Bosch | 17 | 15 | 2 | 0 |
Keshav Maharaj | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
Senuran Muthusamy* | 9 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
Kwena Maphaka | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Figure
- Xavier Bartlett – 6 ov, 45 runs, 2 wkts
- Sean Abbott – 4 ov, 27 runs, 2 wkts
- Adam Zampa – 4.5 ov, 31 runs, 1 wkt
- Cooper Connolly – 6 ov, 22 runs, 5 wkts
South Africa, unfortunately, created an unwanted record. Further, their 276-run defeat marked their heaviest loss in ODI cricket. For a team known for resilience, this collapse will sting. Yet, they still won the series 2-1, which offered some relief.
From a tactical point of view, the key battles defined the match. Moreover, Australia’s top order crushed South Africa’s bowling attack with relentless hitting. Later, Connolly’s spin outclassed their batting unit. On the other hand, South Africa’s bowlers missed their lines and lengths, while their batters failed to handle the scoreboard pressure.
In conclusion, Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI showcased explosive batting, record-breaking milestones, and a stunning bowling spell. Australia may have lost the series, but they restored pride with a commanding win. Meanwhile, South Africa celebrated the series victory but also exposed flaws they must fix before their next challenge.