Australia finished the three-match ODI series with a massive 276-run win over South Africa in the third ODI in Mackay. The hosts smashed their second-highest total in ODI cricket, scoring 431/2 in 50 overs.
Travis Head provided a strong start with a brilliant 142 runs from 103 balls, which included 17 boundaries and five maximums. Captain Mitchell Marsh scored a solid century, and together they put up a huge 250-run opening stand. After that, Cameron Green also scored his maiden ODI century off just 47 balls. This turned out to be the second-fastest century ever for Australia. He finished the innings with an unbeaten 118 runs from 55 balls. Alex Carey added another unbeaten 50, and thus Australia piled on 126 unbeaten runs in the final 10 overs.
South Africa’s bowlers couldn’t do much as Kwena Maphaka conceded 73 runs in six overs and Wiaan Mulder gave away 93 runs in seven overs. Only Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy managed to take one wicket each.
In reply, South Africa, while chasing a mammoth target of 432, never looked in the game. Dewald Brevis scored 49 runs off 28 balls and Tony de Zorzi added 33 runs, but the rest of the team collapsed. Eventually, they got bundled out for just 155 runs in 24.5 overs.
Australia’s Cooper Connolly impressed with a five-wicket haul while conceding only 22 runs in six overs. Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott picked up two wickets each, while Adam Zampa chipped in with one.
The win ensured that Australia avoided a whitewash in the series. Head was named the Player of the Match for his explosive innings, but South Africa claimed the series 2-1. Keshav Maharaj was named the Player of the Series.
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