Miller And Bavuma Centuries Power Proteas To 32-Run ODI Series Win Over Australia
South Africa produced another impressive all-round performance against Australia, securing a thrilling 32-run victory in the second ODI at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
The Proteas posted a formidable 365/9 after being sent in to bat before dismissing Australia for 333 in 49.5 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Temba Bavuma and David Miller were the architects of South Africa’s imposing total, with both batters scoring centuries in a record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership.
Bavuma anchored the innings with a composed 103 from 116 deliveries, while Miller produced a spectacular counter-attacking 142 from just 93 balls.
The pair added 156 runs for the fourth wicket, the highest ODI partnership between South African batters against Australia on home soil. Bavuma’s century was also his fifth as South Africa’s ODI captain, drawing him level with former skipper Faf du Plessis for the most centuries by a Proteas captain.
South Africa’s innings got off to the worst possible start when Aiden Markram was caught by Cooper Connolly off Josh Hazlewood from the first delivery of the match.
Quinton de Kock then fell for 15, leaving the hosts 36/2 before Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke steadied the innings.
Breetzke, who struck a century in the opening ODI in Durban, made a brisk 34 before Jack Edwards claimed his wicket to leave South Africa 93/3.
That brought Miller to the crease, and the experienced left-hander proceeded to change the complexion of the innings.
While Bavuma provided stability at one end, Miller attacked Australia’s bowlers with a combination of powerful strokeplay and calculated aggression.
Once Bavuma reached his century, Miller continued to accelerate, eventually falling for 142 off 93 balls.
Hazlewood and Edwards were the pick of Australia’s bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/70 and 5/67 respectively.
Chasing 366 for victory, Australia needed a strong start, and Mitchell Marsh once again provided it.
The Australian captain smashed 84 from 53 balls, while Travis Head matched him with an aggressive 84 from 76 deliveries.
Their efforts kept Australia firmly in the contest, but South Africa continued to find crucial wickets whenever the visitors threatened to take control.
The Proteas’ bowlers held their nerve during the latter stages, with Lizaad Williams emerging as a key figure. The seamer finished with 3/54 from 7.5 overs, while Marco Jansen claimed two wickets.
The spinners also impressed once again, with Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram and Bjorn Fortuin all taking wickets.
Australia pushed the chase deep into the innings, but South Africa eventually wrapped up the victory when the visitors were bowled out for 333 with just one delivery of their innings remaining.
The victory gives South Africa a 2-0 series lead and continues their strong start to the home season.
After winning the opening ODI in Durban by 67 runs, the Proteas have now backed up that performance with another high-scoring victory against the reigning ODI World Cup champions.
The two teams will meet in the third and final ODI in Potchefstroom on September 30, before attention turns to the three-match ICC World Test Championship series beginning in October.
