Labuschagne ton in vain as South Africa seal clean sweep with six wicket win

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Bowling first, South Africa got an early wicket thanks to a wonderful delivery from Anrich Nortje which took David Warner's edge. Aaron Finch and Steve Smith both fell shortly after the end of the first Powerplay as well, the former being well caught by David Miller at short cover to give Daryn Dupavillon his maiden international wicket.

Labuschagne recieved good support from D'Arcy Short, the pair putting on 81 runs together before Short, on 36, chipped a full ball from Smuts to short mid-wicket. Mitchell Marsh filled the role with similar efficacy and his innings too came to an end in the thirties, courtesy of a fabulous piece of fielding by Miller at cover to earn a run out.

Alex Carey lasted just three balls before he was cleaned up for a duck, Smuts finding some turn to hit the top of off. But Labuschagne remained steady, keeping the score ticking and combining with Jhye Richardson for some late hitting to boost the visitors' score up to 254/7, with the No.4 being bowled for 108 attempting a scoop from the penultimate ball of the innings.

In response Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan got off to a fluent start, the former hitting a pair of sixes in his 26, before Josh Hazlewood removed both in consecutive overs to get Australia back in the contest.

But Smuts and Verreyne showed composure as they put together a 96-run partnership during which the latter brought up his maiden international fifty having fallen two runs short on debut in the first match of the series. Smuts matched him shortly after, but not before Verreyne was dismissed, picking out deep mid-wicket as he looked to pull Adam Zampa for a maximum.

New batter Heinrich Klaasen took control for a spell as the all-rounder stuggled to score after reaching the landmark, but he eventually broke the shackles, quickly diminshing any remaining chances Australia had. Kane Richardson finally got the breakthrough, ending a partnership worth 79 runs and Smuts' hopes of a maiden century.

Klaasen ensured there was no late wobble, passing fifty for the third time in as many innings in the series. He finished things with a trio of boundaries, the last of them a six, to end 68* and take his tally for the series to 242 runs.