Australia crushed South Africa by 276 runs in the third One-Day International (ODI) match, delivering one of the most dominant performances in recent history. Despite the loss, South Africa had already secured the series 2-1, but the margin of defeat marked their biggest loss in an ODI series. For Australia, this massive win stands as their second-largest victory in ODI cricket.
Travis Head Leads with a Brilliant Century
In Mackay, Travis Head was the star performer, smashing 142 runs off 103 balls to earn the Player of the Match award. His aggressive stroke play set the foundation for Australia’s monumental total. He was well-supported by captain Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green, who also played remarkable innings, each scoring centuries of their own.
Adding to the batting fireworks, Alex Carey contributed a steady half-century, ensuring Australia maintained dominance throughout the innings. Remarkably, this match marked only the second instance in ODI history where the top three batsmen all scored centuries in a single innings.
Cameron Green’s Record-Breaking Knock
Cameron Green’s innings was particularly memorable. Batting one down, he unleashed a storm, scoring an unbeaten 118 runs off just 55 balls. Green brought up his century in only 47 balls, registering the second-fastest century by an Australian in ODI cricket. His innings was laced with eight towering sixes and six crisp fours, leaving South Africa’s bowlers helpless.
Alex Carey, too, held his ground and added an unbeaten 50, bringing stability to an already dominant batting display. Together, the lineup propelled Australia to a record-breaking score of 431.
South Africa’s Struggle with the Bat
Chasing a daunting target of 432, South Africa’s batting line-up collapsed under immense pressure. They were bowled out for just 155, suffering one of their heaviest defeats in ODI cricket. Dewald Brevis attempted to fight back with a fiery 49 runs off 28 balls, smashing five sixes and two boundaries, but his effort was not enough to steady the innings.
Other contributions remained minimal: Tony de Zorzi scored 33, captain Temba Bavuma managed 19, and Corbin Bosch added 17. The rest of the batting order failed to withstand the Australian bowling attack, with only Senuran Muthusamy remaining unbeaten on 9 runs.
Historic Bowling Feat by Cooper Connolly
Australia’s bowlers complemented their batsmen with equal dominance. Youngster Cooper Connolly stole the spotlight by taking five wickets, making him the youngest Australian player to achieve a five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. His disciplined line and length dismantled South Africa’s batting hopes.
Alongside him, Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott chipped in with two wickets each, while Adam Zampa picked up one. The collective bowling effort ensured that South Africa was bowled out in under 32 overs.
Key Takeaways from the ODI Series
Although South Africa won the series 2-1, this third ODI highlighted Australia’s ability to bounce back in style. The match will be remembered for multiple records:
- Australia’s second-largest victory margin in ODIs by runs.
- Travis Head’s commanding century and Player of the Match performance.
- Cameron Green’s second-fastest century in Australian ODI history.
- Cooper Connolly’s historic five-wicket haul at such a young age.
For South Africa, spinner Keshav Maharaj stood out as one of the few positives in the series, claiming six wickets across matches while also contributing with the bat.
Australia’s crushing win over South Africa in the third ODI was not just a victory but a statement of intent. With massive centuries from Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green, along with Cooper Connolly’s breakthrough bowling, the match showcased Australia’s depth in both batting and bowling. While South Africa takes home the series win, this game will long be remembered as one of Australia’s most dominant ODI performances.
