<a href="https://absafricatv.com/australia-wins-toss-elects-to-field-in-must/” title=”Australia wins toss, elects to field in must”>Australia fell to an ODI series defeat to South Africa with a game to spare as they were beaten by 32 runs in the second ODI match of three in Johannesburg on Sunday.
David Miller (142 off 93 balls) and Temba Bavuma (103 off 116) each smashed centuries for South Africa as they set the visitors a massive 366-run target after being inserted at the toss.
Australia looked well placed early on in their reply, with openers Mitch Marsh (84 off 53) and Travis Head (85 off 76) setting the tone by blazing the bowling to all parts.
But ultimately the tourists’ middle-order batting issues and struggles against spin were again laid bare. From 191-2 in the 25th over, they added only 62 for the loss of four wickets in the next 15 and a bit overs to stumble to 253-6.
That left Australia needing another 113 runs to win from the final 10 overs and, despite a late counter-punch from Xavier Bartlett (50 off 28), they’d eventually be bowled out for 333 in the final over.
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Keshav Maharaj took 2-54, Bjorn Fortuin 2-70 and Aiden Markram 1-55 among the Proteas’ spin options. Seamer Lizaad Williams 3-54 and Marco Jansen 2-53.
“It’s certainly an area where we need to improve and we’re well aware of that,” Australia captain Marsh said. “I thought we set up our innings really well in both games but we haven’t been able to execute during those middle phases.
“It’s a great learning curve, especially for some of our younger players. But you also have to give South Africa full credit for the way they’ve bowled during those periods.”
Miller’s eighth ODI ton – containing 12 fours and nine sixes – and captain Bavuma’s sixth had helped South Africa to a score of 365-9 from their 50 overs.
Jack Edwards, playing in only his second ODI, grabbed 5-67 and Josh Hazlewood, who dismissed Aiden Markram off the first ball for a golden duck, took 3-70.
Australia, who haven’t won a bilateral ODI series against South Africa since 2014, will look for a consolation win in the last game in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. They’ve lost 19 of their last 25 ODIs against their hosts.
“It was another really good all-round team performance,” Bavuma said. “It started with the bat. Conditions were a little tricky up front but we managed to get through that period and build towards a good total.
“David played an unbelievable innings and then the bowlers did their job as well.”
Watch the third and final South Africa vs Australia ODI on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 12pm (first ball 12.30pm). Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW
