South Africa secured a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Australia with a 32-run victory in the second match held at Johannesburg on Sunday. The Proteas posted a massive total of 365/9, thanks to blazing centuries from David Miller and skipper Temba Bavuma. Miller scored 142 runs in 93 balls, with 12 fours and nine sixes, while Bavuma added 103 runs in 116 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes.
The Australian bowlers had made inroads into the South African batting lineup, reducing them to 93/3. However, the 156-run stand between Bavuma and Miller paved the way for a massive total. This was Miller's 31st ODI fifty-plus score batting at five or below, surpassing 30 such scores by legendary Jonty Rhodes. Miller's exceptional run against Australia continued, with 1,184 runs at an average of 59.2 and a strike rate of almost 107 in 28 ODI innings.
Miller's eight ODI tons are now level with England's Jos Buttler for most ODI tons batting at five or below. He overtook Indian legends Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, who have seven ODI tons each. This was also Miller's fourth ODI ton against Australia in 28 innings, with only Faf du Plessis having more with five in 21 innings. Bavuma's century was his fifth as an SA ODI captain, levelling with Faf du Plessis.
The Australian pace-bowling all-rounder took 5/67, becoming the second Aussie after Nathan Bracken to take an ODI fifer against Proteas at home. He was the fifth Aussie bowler to take an ODI fifer against SA. During the run-chase, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head set the tempo with a 130-run opening stand. However, the Aussies could not sustain the momentum as they were reduced to 251/6.
Jack Edwards and Xavier Bartlett tried to put up a fight, but the Aussies were skittled out for 333 in 49.5 overs. Lizaad Williams, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, and Bjorn Fortuin were standout bowlers for the Proteas. Maharaj picked up two wickets for 54 runs, while Jansen and Fortuin took two wickets each. Williams contributed with three wickets for 54 runs.
Miller's explosive knock earned him the 'Player of the Match' award. This victory marked South Africa's sixth successive ODI series win against Australia and their 10th out of 16 series. The two teams will face each other in the final match of the series, with South Africa looking to complete a clean sweep.
The South African team displayed a commendable performance, with both the batting and bowling units contributing to the victory. The series win will give them a boost ahead of future matches. The Australian team will look to regroup and come back stronger in the final match.
Key points
- South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Australia.
- David Miller and Temba Bavuma scored centuries to help South Africa post a massive total of 365/9.
- The Proteas bowlers restricted Australia to 333 runs in 49.5 overs, securing a 32-run victory.
