South Africa wrapped up the series in Johannesburg, beating Australia by 32 runs and clinching the win with a game to spare. Can the visitors bounce back?
Miller smashed 142 off 93 balls while Bavuma struck 103 from 116, propelling South Africa to a towering 366‑run target after winning the toss.
At the chase, openers Mitch Marsh (84 off 53) and Travis Head (85 off 76) gave Australia a flying start, hammering the bowlers all over the park.
Mid‑order woes soon emerged; from 191‑2 in the 25th over they added just 62 runs for four wickets, slipping to 253‑6 by the 40th over.
Needing 113 more in the last ten overs, Australia fell to 333 all out despite Xavier Bartlett’s rapid 50.
Spin proved decisive, with Keshav Maharaj 2‑54, Bjorn Fortuin 2‑70 and Aiden Markram chipping in 1‑55, while the pace duo Lizaad Williams 3‑54 and Marco Jansen 2‑53 kept the pressure on. In my view, the spin attack made the difference.
“We know we must improve in the middle phase,” captain Mitch Marsh said. “We set up our innings well in both games but failed to execute when it mattered.”
“It’s a valuable learning curve for our younger players,” Marsh added. “Credit also goes to South Africa for their disciplined bowling during those spells.”
Miller’s eighth ODI ton, packed with 12 fours and nine sixes, and Bavuma’s sixth helped South Africa post 365‑9 in their full 50 overs.
Jack Edwards, on only his second ODI, claimed 5‑67, while Josh Hazlewood dismissed Aiden Markram for a golden duck and finished with 3‑70.
Australia haven’t lifted a bilateral ODI series against South Africa since 2014 and will chase a consolation win in the final match at Potchefstroom on Wednesday, after 19 defeats in their last 25 encounters.
“It was another solid all‑round performance,” Bavuma said. “We started well with the bat, handled tricky early conditions and built a competitive total.” “David’s innings was unbelievable and the bowlers backed it up perfectly,” he added. Will the Proteas maintain this dominance in the upcoming series?
South Africa secured a 32‑run series win in Johannesburg, sealing the ODI triumph.