Temba Bavuma-led South Africa created history in ODI cricket with a convincing win by 122 runs over Australia to clinch the five-match series by 3-2. After trailing in the series by 0-2, South Africa made a tremendous comeback to not just beat Australia but do it in a comprehensive fashion. The Proteas won three consecutive matches by a margin of over 100 runs. They became the first team to win three consecutive men's ODIs by more than 100 runs.
Third ODI – win by 111 runs
After half-centuries from De Kock and Bavuma, Aiden Markram scored his second ODI century to help the hosts post 338/6. Gerald Coetzee took a four-fer as no Australian batter could pose a challenge apart from openers David Warner and Travis Head.
Fourth ODI – win by 164 runs
After a decent start, Heinrich Klaasen went berserk and scored 174 runs from just 83 balls. He had support from David Miller who scored 82 runs from 45 balls to help South Africa post 416/5. Bavuma did not play in the fourth ODI. In his absence, Markram led South Africa. Alex Carey fought a lone battle in the run chase with 77-ball 99 as Australia got bowled out for 252 and lost the match by 164 runs.
Fifth ODI – win by 122 runs
After Markram's 93 and Miller's 63-run knock, cameos from Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo helped South Africa post 315/9. In the run chase, skipper Marsh stood out of the lot with a 71-run knock. Australia got bowled out for 193 and lost the match by 122 runs.
This was also Quinton de Kock's final ODI on South African soil. De Kock has announced his retirement from ODI cricket after the completion of World Cup 2023 in India.
Skipper Bavuma was happy with how his team turned the tables and outclassed the visitors after losing the first two games. He feels that it is a major boost ahead of World Cup 2023.
“We had conversation around character with the ball. We didn't have a look at our skills but it was about looking at the overall personality of the team. Even if we have our backs on the wall, we have the team to bounce back. We've created a nice momentum with World Cup in a couple weeks,” Bavuma said in the post-match presentation.
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