Centuries from Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and David Miller secured the ODI series for the hosts, as they clinched a 32-run victory at the Wanderers.
However, initially it was a start to forget. Aiden Markram got caught at cover on the very first ball, and Quinton de Kock was next to go in the 7th over. But fortunately, Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke managed to weather the early storm and added 57 between them.
Just when it looked like a strong partnership was brewing, rookie allrounder Jack Edwards struck in his first over to remove Breetzke. Australia had yet another timely breakthrough, and SA were back to the drawing board.
Miller was the key, as he stepped on the gas for SA as he built a masterclass of an innings at #5. He was brutal against the part-time spinners, and reached a half-century at just better than a run a ball.
In the meanwhile, Bavuma had accumulated his way into the nervous 90’s, with plenty of attractive strokeplay. And in the 36th over, he reached his 6th ODI ton, as the Wanderers spectators gave him a standing ovation. But shortly afterward, he holed out to sweeper cover, and that ended a brilliant knock.
Five overs later, Miller got to his 8th ODI century with a boundary, and this could not have happened at a better time. The hard-hitting left-hander reaffirmed his commitment to the Proteas, and delivered in fitting fashion.
Tristan Stubbs came and went, and a couple of handy cameos from the Jansen twins would push SA over 350. But today was David Miller’s day, as he notched up his ODI personal-best of 142.
Jack Edwards was the star of the show for the Aussie bowlers, with a 5-wicket haul in just his second game. And the experienced Josh Hazlewood took 3 wickets, two of which came very early on.
Australia’s batting lineup were clearly up a creek, but openers Mitch Marsh and Travis Head were ready to rumble. Both players ensured they were above the run rate, and none of the Proteas bowlers could catch a break.
But the entertainment came to an end when Bjorn Fortuin bowled Marsh with a quicker delivery. And it got even better when Lizaad Williams dismissed Cooper Connolly cheaply.
Head managed to briefly benefit from a dropped catch, but when Aiden Markram trapped him LBW, that was the key momentum shift that would gradually derail the chase.
Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, and Cameron Green all couldn’t get going, and it was a familiar scene for the visitors’ middle order.
Xavier Bartlett hit a 28-ball 50, but the game was all but out of reach for Australia at the back end of the innings. Lizaad Williams came back to bag the final two wickets, and that was that.
SA have prevailed in this famous rivalry, and we go to Potchefstroom for the 3rd ODI on Wednesday.
SA 365/9 in 50 overs (Miller 142, Bavuma 103 – Edwards 10-0-67-5, Hazlewood 10-0-70-3)
AUS 333 all out in 49.5 overs (Marsh 84, Head 84 – Williams 7.5-0-54-3, M Jansen 7-0-53-2)
