David Miller played a crucial role for the Proteas as he hit his highest ODI score, helping his team clinch a second straight win over Australia in the Pink Day match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. Miller's impressive 142 off 93 balls, which included nine sixes and 12 fours, enabled the Proteas to reach 365/9 batting first. This score proved too much for the visiting Aussies, as they fell 32 runs short. The win secured the series for the Proteas ahead of the final ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
Miller's century was his eighth ODI ton and his third against Australia, a team he has performed well against throughout his 180-match one-day international career. At 37 years old, Miller is in the twilight of his career, but he demonstrated that he still possesses his power game. His previous highest score was 139 against Bangladesh in 2017, making this century a notable achievement. Miller expressed his delight with the score, stating that it felt great to score 142, especially against a competitive team like Australia.
The Proteas' victory was built on a strong partnership between Miller and captain Temba Bavuma, who made 103 off 116 balls for his sixth ODI century and third against the Aussies. Their 156-run stand for the fourth wicket was instrumental in setting a challenging target for Australia. Bavuma praised Miller's innings, describing it as an incredible knock that helped them ride the wave and build a substantial partnership. The two batsmen worked together to get into good positions and keep feeding each other with the strike.
Bavuma, who has now scored three consecutive centuries against Australia, was happy to contribute to the team's effort and praised the performance of his spinners, particularly part-timer Aiden Markram, who bowled his full 10 overs. Markram's spin proved valuable, as the conditions offered more for spin than expected. Bavuma appreciated the opportunity to settle in and build partnerships with his teammates, stating that it's always nice to contribute to the team with the bat.
Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh expressed his disappointment with the loss, which ended their hopes of keeping the series alive. Marsh had helped his team's chase get off to a rapid start with a quickfire half-century, just like in the first ODI. He acknowledged that the Proteas' score was challenging, but his team had the attitude of making sure they could still win. However, they ultimately fell short, and Marsh was bitterly disappointed with the result.
The win marked the Proteas' second consecutive victory over Australia, following their 67-run win in the first ODI in Durban last Thursday. Miller's performance earned him the Player of the Match award, and he was thrilled to have contributed to the team's success. The Proteas will look to complete a clean sweep in the final ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
The series win is a significant achievement for the Proteas, and they will look to build on their momentum in the final ODI. The team's performance has been impressive, with Miller and Bavuma leading the charge with their batting. The Proteas' spinners, including Markram, have also played a crucial role in the team's success. As the teams prepare for the final ODI, the Proteas will aim to continue their winning streak and complete a dominant series victory.
Key points
- David Miller hits his highest ODI score of 142 off 93 balls to help the Proteas clinch a series win over Australia.
- The Proteas' victory was built on a strong partnership between Miller and captain Temba Bavuma, who made 103 off 116 balls.
- The win marked the Proteas' second consecutive victory over Australia, following their 67-run win in the first ODI in Durban last Thursday.
