Miller, Bavuma tons set up strong South Africa win in Pink ODI

SCORECARD

South Africa sealed the series against Australia with an all-round performance in the second ODI, securing a 32-run victory.

South Africa sported their pink kits for the game, with each member of the squad taking to the field with their jerseys showing the names of a breast cancer fighter or survivor. On a special occasion, the Proteas delivered a memorable performance in a run-fest to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Australia got off to the perfect start after winning the toss and opting to bowl, with Josh Hazlewood dismissing Aiden Markram with the very first ball. Cooper Connolly held on to a brilliant one-handed catch to give Australia an early breakthrough.

Hazlewood struck again soon after, dismissing Quinton de Kock and leaving South Africa in early trouble. Matthew Breetzke joined Temba Bavuma in the middle, with the pair setting about rebuilding the innings. They added 47 runs together before Jack Edwards claimed his first wicket of the match, dismissing Breetzke for 34. 

David Miller walked in and set about building a crucial partnership alongside the skipper. The pair brought up individual centuries while stitching together a mammoth 156-run partnership off 132 balls, putting South Africa firmly in the driving seat.

Bavuma showcased his trademark calm and technical brilliance on his way to a composed 103 off 116 balls, while David Miller displayed the brute power that has become synonymous with his batting over the years, smashing 142 off just 93 balls.

The Jansen brothers, Marco (19) and Duan (27*), provided some valuable lower-order runs as South Africa powered to a strong total of 365/9.

Playing just his second ODI, Edwards impressed with the ball, claiming a five-wicket haul and finishing with figures of 5/67. Hazlewood continued to showcase his class, returning figures of 3/70, while Xavier Bartlett picked up the remaining wicket.

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head got Australia off to a flying start in the chase. The pair unleashed a flurry of shots as the visitors raced to 77 in the first 10 overs and brought up the team's hundred in just 14.1 overs. Marsh was the aggressor, smashing 84 off 53 balls before Bjorn Fortuin brought his innings to an end.

With the first wicket falling, South Africa began to wrestle back some momentum. Lizaad Williams struck soon after to dismiss Cooper Connolly, before Markram trapped Head lbw to end his fine knock of 84 off 76 balls. Keshav Maharaj then added to the pressure by removing Alex Carey.

Maharaj struck again to end a 38-run partnership that was beginning to flourish between Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green. Green and Xavier Bartlett then added 61 runs to keep Australia’s hopes alive, but South Africa held their nerve to bowl them out and secure a 32-run victory.

Williams was the pick of the South African bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/54. Jansen, Maharaj and Fortuin claimed two wickets apiece, while Markram chipped in with one wicket.

The final ODI of the series will be played on 30 September in Potchefstroom.