South Africa sealed the series 2-0 with an 84-run victory against Australia in the 2nd ODI.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the series, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first in the second ODI in Mackay.
The innings began shakily, with both openers dismissed early, leaving the visitors in trouble at 23-2 inside six overs.
Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke steadied the innings with a valuable 67-run stand for the third wicket. De Zorzi made 38 before falling with the score on 90-3, while Breetzke carried on to anchor the innings.
Breetzke went on to register his fourth consecutive ODI half-century, once again providing the foundation for South Africa. Remarkably, after just four matches, he now holds the record for the most runs after five ODIs.
Most runs after 5 ODIs
- Matthew Breetzke – 378 runs (in 4 games)*
- Tom Cooper – 374
- Allan Lamb – 328
- Temba Bavuma – 309
- Phil Salt – 303
He also equalled the record for most 50+ scores in the first five ODIs, becoming the only South African to achieve the feat.
Most 50+ scores after 5 ODIs
- Matthew Breetzke – 4* (in 4 games)
- Navjot Singh Sidhu – 4
- Tom Cooper – 4
- Mohammad Shahzad – 3
- Anshuman Rath – 3
Partnering Tristan Stubbs, Breetzke pushed the total to 179 before miscuing a pull shot to depart for a superb 88 off 78 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes).
Dewald Brevis fell soon after, but momentum was maintained as South Africa accelerated from 185-5 to 223-5 at the 40-over mark. Wiaan Mulder chipped in with a brisk 26 off 21 (4 fours) before departing at 233-6.
Stubbs remained the key, but when he holed out to long-on for 74 (87 balls), South Africa slipped to 245-8. From there, Keshav Maharaj added a handy 22 before the innings closed at 277 all out in 49.1 overs.
Australia’s chase got off to a slow start, with just two runs from the opening two overs. Marco Jansen Burger struck first, dismissing Travis Head for 6, before Lungi Ngidi found Marnus Labuschagne’s edge to leave the hosts reeling at 7-2.
Crucial chances went begging when Stubbs dropped Cameron Green on 0 and Mitchell Marsh on 13. However, a change of bowling paid dividends as Wiaan Mulder, introduced for the first time in the series, removed Marsh for 18. Australia crawled to 39-3 at the end of the powerplay.
The innings regained some stability, but Cameron Green was caught and bowled by Senuran Muthusamy for 35 with the score on 105-4. Alex Carey then cut Burger to point, departing for 28 as Australia slipped to 133-5 in the 28th over.
Josh Inglis kept Australia in the hunt with a fluent 87 off 74 balls, but Ngidi turned the game. First, he dismissed Aaron Hardie caught and bowled for 32 (175-6), then removed Inglis edging to the keeper at 184-7. Just three balls later, he struck again, reducing Australia to 185-8.
Muthusamy picked up his second, stumping Nathan Ellis, and Australia slumped to 189-9.
Ngidi wrapped things up with figures of 5-42, skittering Australia for 193. South Africa won by 84 runs and sealed the series 2-0.
