Australia take consolation win with record Mackay outing

Blazing display with the willow followed by a disciplined bowling effort handed Australia a stellar 276-run win in Mackay. South Africa secured the series 2-1 despite this loss.

The architects of Australian win were the centurion trio of Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green along with Cooper Connolly, who finished with a maiden five-for.

This was Australia’s biggest win at home in ODIs, and their second-biggest overall in the format.

Batting first, Australia batters were on the charge from the start, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh smashing 86 runs in the first Powerplay.

There was little stopping either batter, as they went for their shots to add 250 runs for the first wicket, making it Australia’s fifth-best performance for the first wicket partnership.

Marsh’s wicket soon after added to Proteas' advantage, but Cameron Green at no.3 had other plans. The all-rounder unleashed havoc with the willow, and smashed a ton off just 47 balls, becoming the second-fastest Australian to the landmark after Glenn Maxwell, who hit a 40-ball century during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. This was Green’s maiden ODI hundred.

Travis Head at his best against India in the 2023 CWC Final

Australia finished at 431/2, which was their second-highest total in ODIs.

Dewald Brevis fought with a quickfire 49, but eventually Australia’s total proved to be too much for the Proteas. Cooper Connolly was quite handy with his left-arm spin, and finished with 5/22.