MACKAY: Australia ended their ODI series against South Africa on a high, thrashing the visitors by a massive 276 runs in the third and final match at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday.
While the Proteas had already clinched the series 2-1, the home side ensured they finished with pride, delivering a record-breaking performance in front of an ecstatic Mackay crowd.
Historic Batting Display by Australia
Australia posted an astonishing 431-2, their highest ODI total on home soil, after captain Mitchell Marsh opted to bat first. The innings was marked by a historic feat – the first time Australia’s top three batsmen all scored centuries in a single ODI.
Travis Head led the charge with a dazzling 142 off 103 balls, smashing 17 fours and five sixes. Skipper Marsh joined the party with a controlled 100 off 106 deliveries before departing to applause from the crowd. Cameron Green then delivered the knockout blow, hammering a whirlwind unbeaten 118 from just 47 balls – the second-fastest century for Australia after Glenn Maxwell’s 40-ball blitz.
Alex Carey added a steady 50 not out, and together the quartet blasted 18 sixes, setting another home record for Australia. Head and Marsh also put up a 250-run stand, Australia’s highest opening partnership against South Africa, surpassing Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist’s 170-run stand in 2002.
Bowling Unit Completes the Job
South Africa, missing pace spearheads Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi, struggled from the start and collapsed to 155 in just 25 overs. Spinner Cooper Connolly was the star with the ball, claiming a superb 5-22, while Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett ripped through the top order.
Brevis provided brief resistance with a fighting 49, but his dismissal – brilliantly caught by Green at the boundary – sealed South Africa’s fate as Connolly ran through the tail.
Skipper Marsh Praises Team Spirit
Reflecting on the dominant win, Marsh said:
“A pretty […] day, a full performance by the lads. But full credit to South Africa, they played outstandingly well in the first two games and were too good for us.”
Despite losing the series, Australia’s final-match heroics demonstrated their batting depth and explosive potential ahead of future contests.
Looking Ahead
Australia will take confidence from their record-breaking win, with their batting unit firing collectively and young talents like Green and Connolly making a strong impression. The series may have slipped away, but this victory will boost Australia’s morale ahead of their next assignments in the ODI calendar.