Marnus Labuschagne is making it tough for selectors to ignore him as he smashed a 99-ball 124 in Australia's 123-run win over South Africa in the second ODI of the five-ODI series. David Warner returned to form with a 93-ball 106 as Australia posted a massive total of 392/8. In the run chase of 393, South African batters faltered and lost wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for 269 with 8.1 overs left in the innings.
After winning the toss, Temba Bavuma opted to field first. Warner and Travis Head got their side off to a blazing start. They posted 102 runs in the first 10 overs, the highest against South Africa in ODIs after the first powerplay. Tabraiz Shamsi broke the partnership with the wicket of Head. He followed it up by getting Marsh out for a golden duck. Head contributed with 64 runs from 36 balls including nine fours and three sixes.
Labuschagne joined Warner in the middle. Warner registered his 20th ODI century, the most by an Australian opener. Also, he broke Sachin Tendulkar's record for most centuries in international cricket as an opener. Warner got bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo. The opener scored 106 runs from 93 balls including 12 fours and three sixes. Labuschagne brought up his second ODI century as well.
Josh Inglis contributed with a 37-ball 50. Kagiso Rabada got his wicket. Tim David's ODI debut was a lacklustre one as he got out after scoring just one run. Alex Carey and debutant Aaron Hardie departed for single-digit scores. Labuschagne scored 124 runs from 99 balls including 19 fours and a six. Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott helped Australia post 392/8.
In the run chase, Quinton de Kock and Bavuma looked to score quickly. De Kock completed 6,000 ODI runs and became the fastest wicketkeeper-batter to the milestone from 142 innings, breaking MS Dhoni’s record. De Kock dominated in the powerplay overs with six fours and two sixes. Ellis broke the partnership in the 10th over. The southpaw scored 45 runs from 30 balls. A few overs later, Adam Zampa got the wicket of Bavuma. He scored 46 runs from 40 balls including four fours and three sixes. Zampa in his next over got the wicket of Aiden Markram for a single-digit score. Rassie van der Dussen became Hardie's maiden ODI wicket.
The partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller revived South Africa's hopes. But Zampa did the trick again. Klaasen got bowled for a 36-ball 49. In the 36th over, Ellis trapped Miller in front of the crease. He scored 49 runs from 52 balls. Marco Jansen became Zampa's last victim of the evening. Phehlukwayo failed in his comeback game and lost his wicket to Hardie. Sean Abbott mopped up the tail as South Africa got bowled out for 269 in the 42nd over.
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