Green, Head and Marsh hit centuries as Australia shine with the bat

Green, Head and Marsh hit centuries as Australia shine with the bat

AUS vs SA 3rd ODI: Australia scored 2-431 against South Africa to record the highest ever ODI total on home soil. The Proteas were then bowled out for 155 in 24.5 overs.

Australia ended their ODI series against South Africa with a bang, posting their second-highest total ever in the format, thanks to centuries from Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and a blistering maiden hundred from Cameron Green, who reached the milestone in just 47 balls. Despite losing the series 2-1, Australia avoided a home whitewash and secured their second-biggest ODI win by crushing South Africa by 276 runs.

The bowlers backed up the batting fireworks, with young spinner Cooper Connolly stealing the spotlight. At just 22 years and two days old, he became the youngest Australian to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs and recorded the best figures by an Aussie spinner in the format since March 2023.

All three matches in the series were won by the team batting first, and Marsh’s decision to bat first in Mackay his first such call in 22 tosses proved spot on. Australia had been bowled out for under 200 in the first two games, but this time Marsh and Head put on a massive 250-run opening stand, Australia’s fourth-highest ever. Head raced to his century in 80 balls, his first in 25 innings, while Marsh followed with a hundred off 105 deliveries.

After Head’s dismissal, Green was sent in ahead of Labuschagne and unleashed a brutal assault, reaching his hundred with two balls to spare and finishing unbeaten on 118. Carey added a quickfire fifty, and his partnership with Green produced 164 runs in just 13.3 overs, helping Australia pile on 126 runs in the final 10 overs.

South Africa’s bowling attack struggled without key players Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Kwena Maphaka and Wiaan Mulder were expensive, conceding 73 and 93 runs respectively, while only Keshav Maharaj kept things somewhat tight. Australia’s top order showed no mercy, racing to 41 runs in just four overs and never letting up. Head and Marsh dominated, and Green’s late fireworks ensured a total that was always going to be tough to chase.

South Africa’s reply got off to a disastrous start. Markram was caught early, Rickelton handed Connolly his first wicket, and Bavuma chopped on after a brief aggressive spell. Stubbs fell soon after, and at 50 for 4, the chase was already out of reach. Brevis showed some fight with two sixes off Zampa but was dismissed for 49.

Connolly picked up wickets with help from brilliant catches by Labuschagne and clever bowling that outfoxed Maharaj. Zampa wrapped things up in the 25th over, as South Africa were bowled out with more than half their innings left unused.