Australia has secured its second-biggest win in ODI history after crushing South Africa by 276 runs during Sunday’s dead rubber in Mackay.
The hosts clobbered 2-431, the nation’s second-highest total in the format, courtesy of rapid hundreds from captain Mitchell Marsh, opener Travis Head and new No. 3 Cameron Green.
The Proteas didn’t come close to reeling in the target, bowled out for 155 in 24.5 overs, with young all-rounder Cooper Connolly taking his first five-wicket haul.
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New low? Aussies Lose 2nd Odi V sa | 02:27
MITCHELL MARSH — 9
206 runs at 68.66, HS 100, SR 90.74
Marsh was the leading run-scorer of the white-ball series against South Africa, blasting his fourth ODI century in Mackay on Sunday.
The captain was also the only Australian batter to put up a fight during the series opener in Cairns, notching a classy half-century following an early collapse.
TRAVIS HEAD — 8
175 runs at 58.33, HS 142, 128.67
Four wickets at 17.25, BB 4-57, ER 6.27
After early departures during the first two ODIs, Head redeemed himself with a blistering 80-ball century in Mackay on Sunday, combining with captain Mitchell Marsh for a 250-run opening partnership.
The South Australian also claimed four wickets during the series opener in Cairns, pressing his case for all-rounder status.
All FOUR Travis Head wickets | 01:32
Marnus Labuschagne – 2
Two runs at 1.00, HS 1, SR 18.18
Two wickets at 16.50, BB 2-19, ER 4.71
Labuschagne’s worrying form with the bat continued in northern Queensland, dismissed cheaply in each of the first two ODIs before slipping down the order for the series finale.
However, the Queenslander snared a couple of handy wickets with his leg spin during Friday’s loss in Mackay.
roomON GREEN — 8
156 runs at 78.00, HS 118*, SR 133.33
Green has cemented his spot in the ODI team with a ferocious 47-ball century during the series finale in Mackay, the second-fastest hundred by an Australian in the format.
Having been promoted to No. 3 for the third ODI, national selectors may consider keeping the West Australian at first drop for the foreseeable future.
When he’s available to bowl again, he’ll also become Australia’s first-choice all-rounder in the 50-over format.
Green’s EPIC maiden ODI century | 04:06
JOSH INGLIS — 7
92 runs at 46.00, HS 87, SR 110.84
Two catches, one stumping
After spending a week in bed battling illness, Inglis bounced back in style with a swashbuckling half-century in Mackay on Friday.
The West Australian was also tidy with the gloves throughout the three-match ODI campaign.
ALEX CAREY — 6
63 runs at 31.50, HS 50*, SR 108.62
Playing as a specialist batter, Carey started the ODI campaign with a golden duck after missing a sweep shot against Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj, also dismissed cheaply in Mackay on Friday.
However, the South Australian cracked an unbeaten half-century during Sunday’s series finale, combining with centurion Cameron Green for an unbeaten 164-run partnership.
AARON HARDIE — 2
14 runs at 7.00, HS 10, SR 53.84
Zero wickets, BB 0-22, ER 9.16
Hardie was dropped ahead of the series finale in Mackay after two forgettable performances against the Proteas.
The West Australian struggled with the bat during the first two ODIs, also leaking nearly ten runs per over with the ball.
With fellow all-rounders Mitchell Owen and Beau Webster continuing to press their case for higher honours, it may be a while before we see Hardie in national colours again.
COOPER CONNOLLY — 8
Five wickets at 4.40, BB 5-22, ER 3.66
Having been recalled for Sunday’s series finale in Mackay, Connolly snared a maiden five-wicket haul during the chase as South Africa’s middle order searched for quick runs. He finished with the best figures by an Australian spinner in men’s ODIs.
The talented West Australian wasn’t required with the bat.
Connolly makes history with fifer! | 02:30
SEAN ABBOTT — 7
Two wickets at 13.50, BB 2-27, ER 6.75
After watching the first two ODIs from the sidelines, Abbott celebrated his return to canary yellow with two early wickets during Sunday’s thumping victory in Mackay.
The New South Wales seamer removed opener Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma during the Powerplay as the tourists collapsed to 4-50.
Ben Dwarshuis – 7
Two wickets at 26.50, BB 2-53, ER 5.88
Dwarshuis bowled commendably during the series opener against South Africa in Cairns, taking the crucial wickets of opener Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma.
He also helped skipper Mitchell Marsh rebuild the Australian innings following an early collapse during the run chase, posting a career-best 33 with the bat.
XAVIER BARTLETT — 7
Four wickets at 22.50, BB 2-45, ER 6.00
Bartlett’s impressive start to his international career has continued, with the Queenslander taking two wickets in the Powerplay during both ODIs in Mackay.
The Queensland seamer has taken 12 wickets across his first four ODIs, which has been bettered by only two Australians — Gary Gilmour and Ryan Harris.
Mackay local takes epic crowd catch | 00:39
NATHAN ELLIS — 6
Two wickets at 62.50, BB 2-46, ER 5.20
Ellis bowled more dot balls than any other Australian during the ODI series against South Africa, producing an assortment of yorkers and slower-ball bouncers in northern Queensland.
However, he probably has not done enough to cement his spot in Australia’s first-choice ODI starting XI.
Adam Zampa – 6
Five wickets at 30.40, BB 3-53, ER 6.12
Zampa conceded more runs than any other bowler in the ODI series, but the leg-spinner still contributed some crucial scalps throughout the series.
He was the pick of the Australian bowlers in Mackay on Friday with three wickets, including the dangerous Tristan Stubbs.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 5
One wicket at 93.00, BB 1-57, ER 5.41
Hazlewood was at his economical best during the series opener in Cairns, rarely straying from a good length to muzzle South Africa’s batters.
However, the Bendemeer Bullet only took one wicket in two matches against the Proteas — South African tailender Lungi Ngidi.