Australia Avoid Whitewash With DLS Victory Over Proteas
Australia avoided a clean sweep in the ODI series against South Africa after rain brought an early end to the third and final match at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
The visitors claimed a 45-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after South Africa were left stranded on 145/4 after 28 overs, having been set 323 for victory.
South Africa had already secured the three-match series after winning the opening two encounters in Durban and Johannesburg, but Australia produced a much-improved performance to finish the ODI leg of the tour with a consolation victory.
Having been sent in to bat, Australia posted 322/9 from their 50 overs, with Alex Carey leading the way with an important 74 from 88 deliveries.
Mitchell Marsh continued his impressive series with another half-century, scoring 56 from 42 balls, while 20-year-old Ollie Peake impressed on his first appearance of the series with 48.
Marsh and Travis Head gave Australia another rapid start, putting on 78 from just 53 deliveries before South Africa began to make inroads.
Corbin Bosch was the pick of the Proteas attack, claiming 4/60 from nine overs, while Lizaad Williams and Gerald Coetzee took two wickets apiece. Bosch’s figures were particularly impressive given Australia’s strong start, although South Africa struggled to contain the visitors during the middle overs.
Carey then combined with Peake for a 73-run partnership before adding another 66 with Matt Renshaw as Australia recovered from the loss of their early wickets.
Carey’s innings was particularly significant, marking his first international half-century in 17 ODIs.
South Africa’s chase got off to a difficult start under the lights.
Xavier Bartlett made two important early breakthroughs, dismissing Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram, before Adam Zampa produced one of his most effective spells against the Proteas in recent times.
Zampa removed Matthew Breetzke for 25 after beating the batter’s outside edge and having him stumped, before trapping Tristan Stubbs lbw for 14.
Ryan Rickelton provided the resistance for South Africa, reaching 71 not out from 81 balls, but the Proteas were unable to build the partnerships required to seriously challenge Australia’s total.
With South Africa on 145/4 after 28 overs, persistent rain eventually forced the players from the field and brought the match to an early conclusion.
Australia therefore ended the ODI series with a victory, but South Africa’s two earlier wins ensured the Proteas claimed the series 2-1.
The focus now turns to the Test series, with the first Test scheduled for Durban on 9 October.
