Australia register their highest ODI total in losing chase, break 13-year-old record vs India

South Africa registered a 32-run win against Australia in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. While Australia lost the plot in middle overs of the run chase despite openers' fiery start, Xavier Bartlett's 28-ball fifty helped them post 333 on the board, their highest ODI score in an unsuccessful run chase.

Australia's previous highest ODI score in an unsuccessful run chase was against India in November 2013. In reply to India's 383/6 in the seventh ODI of the series, courtesy Rohit Sharma's 209-run knock, George Bailey-led Australia were bowled out for 326 in 45.1 overs despite James Faulkner's 73-ball 116.  

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Overall, 333 against South Africa is Australia's fourth-highest score in an ODI run chase. Their highest score in a successful ODI run chase came against India in 2019. Usman Khawaja's 91, Peter Handscomb's 117 and Ashton Turner's unbeaten 43-ball 84 helped Australia chase down 359 with 2.1 overs to spare in Mohali.

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Miller’s 142 swells South Africa’s score to 365/9

On September 28, Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Both openers fell early but skipper Temba Bavuma's 103 off 116 balls and David Miller's fiery 93-ball 142 helped hosts 365/9 on the board.

Australia’s middle order disappoints after fiery start

In the run chase, Australia got off to an ideal start with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head sharing a 130-run partnership from 17 overs. The partnership was broken by left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin. Marsh scored 84 runs from 53 balls including 10 fours and five sixes.

Cooper Connolly fell cheaply. Then, Head was dismissed lbw by Aiden Markram. He scored 84 runs from 76 balls. The middle-order batters got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. In the 40th over, Australia lost six wickets for 251 runs. Bartlett entertained the crowd with a 28-ball 50 featuring five sixes but Australia fell well short of the target. They were bowled out for 333 in 49.5 overs.

The dead rubber encounter of the ODI series will be played on September 30 at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. Australia have lost both games while chasing so far. It is yet to be seen whether Pat Cummins plays in the third ODI of the series before the three-Test series begins.