Second ODI, Johannesburg
South Africa 365-9 (50 overs): Miller 142 (93); Edwards 5-67
Australia 333 (49.5 overs): Marsh 84 (53); Williams 3-54
South Africa won by 32 runs
Temba Bavuma and David Miller struck sublime centuries as South Africa beat Australia by 32 runs in the second one-day international to win the series with a game to spare.
The Proteas posted an imposing 365-9 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, with Miller smashing 142 off 93 balls and captain Bavuma made a more measured 103 from 116.
The pair added 156 for the fourth wicket to lead an impressive recovery after Aiden Markram was dismissed from the first ball of the game, and fellow opener Quinton de Kock also fell cheaply for 15.
Bavuma reached his century from 112 balls before he holed out off Jack Edwards, but Miller continued to pummel his way to a 73-ball ton and combined with the Jansen twins, Marco and Duan, to take South Africa beyond the 350 mark.
Miller’s incredible knock included 12 fours and nine sixes as he capitalised on an Australia attack that was struggling after seamer Nathan Ellis’ side strain meant he could only bowl four overs, though Edwards finished with five wickets in just his second ODI outing.
Australia were faced with their record ODI chase and started strongly with a stand of 130 from the destructive opening partnership of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh.
But neither could kick on in the manner of Bavuma or Miller, and South Africa chipped away with regular middle-order wickets after both openers fell for 84.
All-rounder Xavier Bartlett kept Australia in contention with a sensational 26-ball fifty, but he was pinned lbw by a cracking Lizaad Williams yorker to leave 44 required off the last 14 balls and they fell 32 runs short, bowled out for 333.
The series concludes at Potchefstroom on Wednesday and is followed by three Tests.
Leave a Reply