Australia’s bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott pulled off one of the best one-handed grabs on boundaries in ODI cricket. Abbott leaped in the air and took the catch with his left hand just inside the boundary. The catch left South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen stunned as he had his hand on the helmet in disbelief.
The incident took place in the 47th over of South Africa's first innings. Jansen was going all guns blazing against Nathan Ellis. He had already hit Ellis for a six followed up two fours. On the fourth ball, he had found the gap on the off side or so he believed.
Abbott ran towards his left, put in a dive, and caught hold of the ball with his left hand. The ball did not pop out of his hand as he landed. Also, he managed to stay inside the boundary line. The catch left Jansen stunned as his cameo came to an end. Jansen contributed with 32 runs from 16 balls in the must-win encounter at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on September 12.
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to field first. Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma went after Australian pacers and shared a 146-run partnership. De Kock missed his century as he lost his wicket to part-time off-spinner Travis Head. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 82 runs from 77 balls including 10 fours and two sixes.
Bavuma became Tanveer Sangha's only victim of the day. He scored 57 runs from 62 balls including six fours. Reeza Hendricks got off to a good start but got run out as Marnus Labuschagne caught him short of the crease with a direct hit. Heinrich Klaasen departed for a two-ball duck to Head whereas David Miller registered a single-digit score. Aiden Markram kept firing from the other end and the partnership with Jansen gave South Africa a much-needed push in the slog overs.
Markram reached his second ODI century with a six off the last ball of the innings. He remained unbeaten for 102 off 74 balls including nine fours and four sixes. His knock helped South Africa post 338/6.
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