South Africa Fifth Consecutive Odi series Win against Australia

South Africa Fifth Consecutive Odi series Win against Australia

South Africa delivered a commanding performance in the second ODI against Australia, claiming victory by 84 runs in a one-sided contest. With the win, the Proteas secured the three-match series 2-0 and extended their dominance in the format.

Proteas post competitive total

After being asked to bat, South Africa built their innings around Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs, who both produced composed half-centuries. Breetzke struck 88 off 78 balls, continuing his remarkable run of form with a fourth straight ODI fifty, a record start to his career. Stubbs anchored the middle overs with a steady 74 from 87 balls, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. Tony de Zorzi added a brisk 38 while Fabian Allen chipped in with quick runs down the order. The Proteas reached 277 in 49.1 overs, setting a challenging target on a helpful surface.

Australia’s bowlers worked hard, with Adam Zampa claiming 3/63 from his full quota. Xavier Bartlett and Marnus Labuschagne took two wickets each, while the rest of the attack chipped in with single strikes.

Ngidi leads bowling brilliance

Defending 278, South Africa’s attack came out firing. Nandre Burger struck early to dismiss Travis Head, setting the tone. Lungi Ngidi then took charge, ripping through the Australian batting with pace and control. Ngidi finished with a superb 5/42 in 8.4 overs, his deliveries swinging and seaming to trouble every batter. His spell broke the backbone of Australia’s chase and earned him the Player of the Match award.

Support came from Senuran Muthusamy, who picked up 2/30, while Burger added 2/23. The pressure never eased as South Africa’s bowlers kept chipping away at key wickets.

Inglis fights lone battle

Australia’s batting faltered under relentless pressure. Captain Mitchell Marsh fell for 18 after showing some intent, while Marnus Labuschagne failed to settle. Cameron Green partnered Josh Inglis in a 67-run stand, but the momentum shifted once Green departed for 35.

Inglis stood tall with a fighting 87 off 74 balls, laced with crisp strokes and steady composure. Yet, wickets kept falling around him. Once Inglis lost partners, the chase quickly unraveled. Australia slumped from a stable position to being bowled out for 193 in 37.4 overs, losing their last seven wickets for just 88 runs.

Captains’ reactions

South Africa’s skipper Aiden Markram praised his side for their all-round display. He credited the bowlers for staying disciplined despite some dropped catches. Markram also highlighted the team’s depth, stressing how different players stepped up at crucial stages.

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh admitted disappointment with the batting effort. He lauded his bowlers for keeping South Africa to a chaseable score but conceded that the batting collapse cost them dearly. He also appreciated Xavier Bartlett’s effort with the ball.

Series sealed, whitewash in sight

With this victory, South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. It marked their fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series win over Australia, underlining their strength in the format. Australia, missing the experience of Glenn Maxwell and Steven Smith, now face a challenging rebuild. The third and final ODI will be played on 24 August at the same venue, where South Africa will aim for a whitewash, while Australia will fight to salvage pride.

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