HIGHLIGHTS Australia vs South Africa, South Africa in Australia 3 ODI Series 2025, 3rd ODI- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase. The two umpires and players head out to the centre. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton walk out to open the innings. Xavier Bartlett will start the attack. Two slips in place for Aiden. Here we go!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Australia were 215/0 at end of 30 overs, and they more than doubled that in the final 20 overs, piling on 216 runs to finish with a mammoth 431. The third-wicket stand between Cameron Green and Alex Carey was the centrepiece, where they added 164 off just 82 balls to power the Aussies to their second-highest total in men’s ODIs. South Africa now have it all to do, and much will depend on how they begin. The wicket played true throughout, with both pacers and spinners finding it tough to contain the batters. Whether it will do a bit under lights remains to be seen. Join us shortly for the chase.

Cameron Green is also in for a flash interview. Says that this knock ranks as one of his highest. Adds that he was sitting next to Marnus waiting for him to go in, but got the call of being promoted just before Head's dismissal. Mentions that he is happy to contribute. Says it has been a long series, coming off the West Indies. Tells that they will be playing a lot of ODI cricket from now on. Further adds that it is nice to get his first hundred. Ends by saying that the wicket was quite different, but you never know what happens. Hopes they will have this one in the bag.

Travis Head is in for a chat. Head says it is an amazing and huge effort in the end. He adds that Carey played well and played his role nicely to get them to a daunting total. Mentions that it is nice to get some runs as he did not get much this series and had a bit of a lean run. Further says it is nice to finally get runs. States that Mitch Marsh played well throughout the series and it was good fun to be back at the top of the order with him.

The Proteas sensed a glimmer of hope at that stage, but Cameron Green quickly snuffed it out. He kept the momentum going and then unleashed carnage. Cameron raced to his maiden ODI century in just 47 balls, the second-fastest by an Australian in men’s ODIs. Corbin Bosch was unfortunate to go wicketless but was easily the pick of the pacers, even having a catch put down when Alex Carey was on 29. Carey went on to bring up his fifty off the final ball of the innings.

With 86 runs coming off the first Powerplay, the tourists were left chasing the game from there. The marginal assistance for spin meant Australia’s openers negotiated Keshav Maharaj without much trouble. South Africa struggled to create even half a chance during the mammoth 250-run opening stand and could never really stem the flow of runs. Both Head and Marsh went on to register centuries before falling in quick succession.

South Africa missed the cutting edge of Lungi Ngidi or even Nandre Burger, and their absence left an inexperienced attack to set the tone. While the surface did not offer much assistance for the seamers, the Proteas’ new-ball bowlers only added to their woes by spraying it around. Australia’s openers thrived on this generosity, with Travis Head setting the tempo early on. It was not just crash, bang, wallop as Head was measured with his shot selection, while Marsh played the perfect foil.

A dead rubber but Australia's batting has come alive and how! Sheer dominance on display in Mackay. Brendon Julian points out on air that this is the first time in ODI cricket that all of Australia’s top three have scored centuries in the same innings. South Africa were sent on a leather hunt, and for them, these 50 overs must have felt never-ending.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, FIFTY FOR CAREY! A fine knock from him, but the Aussies just fall short of their biggest-ever ODI score. Corbin Bosch pitches it up and outside off, Alex Carey slices it away towards deep point for a brace. Australia finish on a whopping 431/2!

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Nails the yorker, right at the popping crease, outside off, Carey squeezes it out beside the strip on the leg side.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, FOUR! Goes fuller but angling into the pads, Alex Carey picks it up and just helps it on its way to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Gets the yorker right, on off, angling in, Alex Carey fails to dig it out.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, A full toss around leg, Cameron Green changes his stance for the reverse lap but misses. Ryan Rickelton fumbles behind the stumps and allows a bye. He has had a tough time.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Cleverly done! Corbin Bosch sees the batter move across and bowls this full and way outside off, almost out of the pitch. Alex Carey winds up for the scoop but then has to adjust and goes for the reverse. He somehow gets some bat on it to hit it towards third man for a single. It would have been a No Ball, if he had just left it.

Corbin Bosch to bowl the final over. Australia's highest ODI total is 434. Can they go past that mark here?

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, Short of a length and around leg, follows the batter and takes pace, Alex Carey adjusts well and pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Gets the wide yorker right this time, around off, Cameron Green swings at it but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket for one.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, FOUR! There is no stopping Green here! Another full delivery, on middle, Cameron Green gets right underneath it and thumps it over the bowler's head to the left of long on for a boundary.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, SIX! Up, up and away! Goes for the wide yorker, but serves this in the slot outside off. Cameron Green crouches low and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Pitched up and outside off again, Cameron Green makes use of his long arms to reach out and squeezes it to sweeper covers for two runs.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Fuller and outside off, Cameron Green uses his feet and drills it wide of long off for a couple of runs.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Short again and on leg, Cameron Green pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Hard length and on middle, Cameron Green swats it down the ground and wide of long on and calls for the second again. Carey responds and just makes his ground at the other end. He looks to be struggling a bit, probably cramps.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, MAIDEN ODI HUNDRED FOR GREEN! A 47-ball ton from Cameron. This is also the second-fastest ever for Australia, and it has been carnage from him. Short of a length and on off, Cameron Green drags his pull towards deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. He has a big smile on his face and raises his bat and helmet to soak in all the applause.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Pitched up and outside off, Alex Carey slices it out towards deep point for a run.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Fuller and on middle, Cameron Green forces it to long on for a single. He moves onto 98.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, A low full toss, on middle, Cameron Green drills it back to the bowler.

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, Back of length and on off, takes pace off, Alex Carey changes his stance to reverse hit but misses.

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, Slower one, and on leg, Alex Carey chips it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. 400 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, A half-volley, going across the batter, Green drills it down to long off for a single.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, SIX! That is outta here! Juicy full toss down the leg side, Cameron Green is never going to miss out on that. Picks it up and dismisses with ease over the deep square leg fence and out of the ground for a biggie.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, WIDE! Pitched up down the leg side, Cameron Green misses his flick. Wided.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, SIX! Brilliant effort in the deep but for nothing! Fuller and on middle, slower too, Cameron Green comes down the track and lofts it down the ground. Dewald Brevis at long on is standing a few inches ahead of the ropes. He backtracks and grabs it above his head but the momentum takes him over the ropes. He flicks the ball before going outside, and then leaps up to throw the ball back inside while being beyond the ropes. However, the new rule suggests that you have to leap from inside the rope. Last year, this would not have been a six, but now it is one.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, WIDE! Tries the wide yorker again, but serves this a bit too outside off, Cameron Green goes for it, but then withdraws his bat. Wided.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Good wide yorker, outside off, Cameron Green only manages to drag it to long on. Does not take the single.

Wiaan Mulder (5-0-60-0) returns to the attack.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, FOUR! Gets it away this time! Another full toss but down the leg, Alex Carey brings the bottom hand into play and flicks it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Three dots in a row! We have rarely seen that! Full toss, on middle, Alex Carey tries to hit it a bit too hard and slices it towards mid off.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, The stumps save some runs there! Short of a length and on off, Alex Carey slaps it down the pitch where the ball hits the wickets at the non-striker's end and goes nowhere.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Much fuller and around off, Alex Carey drives it firmly but staight to extra covers.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Back of a length and on middle, Cameron Green swats it to long on for a run.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, A yorker, on middle, Alex Carey digs it out wide of mid off for a single.

Change of gloves for Cameron Green.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, SIX! THREE ON THE TROT! Dragged back and on middle, begging to be put away. Cameron Green says thank you very much and smashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, SIX MORE! He likes this match-up! Flatter delivery, full and on middle and leg, Cameron Green goes down on a knee and absolutely nails the slog sweep over the deep square leg fence for another biggie. It goes onto the roof. Quite a few of them have in this innings.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, SIX! DOWN THE GROUND! That's why he turned down the single. Flighted, full and around middle, Cameron Green skips down the track to get to the pitch of it. Launches it high and handsomely over the long on fence for a biggie.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, Floated, full and on off, Cameron Green drives it to sweeper covers but denies the run.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, WIDE! Quicker, full but down the leg side, Alex Carey leaves it alone. Ryan Rickelton fails to collect it cleanly behind the stumps as it goes off his pads towards square leg. A bye is taken.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, FOUR! Nicely done! Floated, full and on middle and of, Alex Carey goes for the reverse paddle but gets a top edge that goes over short third. Kwena Maphaka chases after it and dives to push it back inside but fails to do so.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, Pushed through, short and around leg, Alex Carey rocks back to whip it away but is beaten on the inside edge. A good take by Ryan Rickelton to his right.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Low full toss, on middle, Cameron Green drives it wide of long on for a brace.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, A bouncer now, on middle, Cameron Green ducks under it.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, DROPPED! That should have been taken! Short of a length and on middle, Alex Carey looks to pull it away but gets a top edge as the ball flies towards deep square leg. Kwena Maphaka moves to his left but just before going for the catch, he loses his footing. Tries to grab it around his midriff, crouching low, but spills it out in front of him. Bosch started celebrating only to see the ball pop out. They cross

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Right in the blockhole, on middle, Cameron Green jams it out to long on for a run. 350 up for Australia!

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Fuller and on middle, angling in, Cameron Green looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, A low full toss, on middle, Alex Carey drills it to long off for a single.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, Hard length and outside off, Cameron Green uses his feet, reaches out and slaps it wide of sweeper covers for a brace. 20 runs off the over, 32 in the last two!

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, SIX! BIGGER AND BETTER! Back of a length and on middle, hit-me ball really as this is not going to trouble the batter. Cameron Green picks up the length early and deposits it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more. 95 METERS!

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, FOUR! Streaky! Tries the yorker and almost gets it perfect, on middle. Cameron Green gets a bit squared up as he looks to work it away. Gets an outside edge that flies past the keeper and to the third man fence for a boundary.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, SIX! FIFTY FOR GREEN! He gets to it in style as well! His third in ODIs and fastest as he gets to it in just 28 balls. Kwena Maphaka serves this fuller and around leg. Cameron Green clears his front leg out and whips it away over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Kwena Maphaka to Alex Carey, Goes short and quick, on middle, Alex Carey hops up a bit and tries to pull but gets a top edge. It lands safely into the vacant square leg region for a run.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, On a length and on middle, Cameron Green works it towards long on for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Much better! Nails the yorker, on middle, Alex Carey digs it out down the pitch. 12 runs off the over!

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, WIDE! More extras! Bangs this into the pitch but wayward down the leg side, Alex Carey swings at it but misses.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Pitched up and on the pads, Cameron Green clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Back of a length and on middle, Cameron Green connects well with his pull this time in front of square on the leg side. Two more added to the total.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Short of a length and around off, Cameron Green looks to pull but has to drag it a bit and miscues it off the bottom half of the bat. It rolls towards the vacant mid-wicket region as the batters run two.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Change of pace, full and on middle, Alex Carey is into his push early and lobs it down the pitch and past the bowler for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, WIDE! Fuller and down the leg side again, Alex Carey fails to glance it away as it goes very close to the bat and pad. Ryan Rickelton grabs it and appeals but nothing doing. Called a wide.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, FOUR! Easy pickings! Goes fuller but down the leg side, Alex Carey knows that he just has to get some bat on that, and he does exactly that. Tickles it away to the fine leg fence and beats the dive of the fielder to his left for a boundary. That also brings up the 50-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Kwena Maphaka to Alex Carey, Hard length and outside off, Alex Carey backs too far away and tries to cut it, but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls towards third man. They cross.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, Back of a length and on middle, slower too, Cameron Green swipes it off inside edge towards deep square leg for one.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, Pitched up and around off, Cameron Green backs away and squeezes it wide of point. Tony de Zorzi dives to his left to get a hand on it to take the sting out as Dewald Brevis mops it up in the deep. Two taken.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, WIDE! Errs in line and serves this full but way down the leg side, Cameron Green leaves it alone. Wided.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, FOUR! Powered away! Short of a length and on off, on middle, Cameron Green gets right on top of the bounce and pulls it from the middle of the bat. It flies over the mid-wicket fielder for a cracking boundary.

Kwena Maphaka to Alex Carey, Follows the batter, lands this on a hard length, angling into leg. Alex Carey gets cramped up and tucks it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket for a single. Green wanted the second but Carey is happy with one.

Kwena Maphaka to Cameron Green, On a length and around leg, Cameron Green nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Powerplay 3! Now, five fielders are allowed outside the inner ring till the end of the innings. Australia have already crossed the 300-run mark, and with 8 wickets still in hand, they will be disappointed if they do not get 400 here.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Into the surface, on middle, Alex Carey gets on top of it and punches it to cover.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Bowls it fuller and just outside off, Green drills down to long on off the front foot. A single is taken.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, FOUR! Shot and a half! On a good length, around off, Green drives it on the up and all along the ground. Threads it between cover and mid off for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Bangs it short and around middle and leg. The ball climbs up as Green looks to play the pull shot and ends up slicing it in the vacant mid-wicket region. They run two.

Corbin Bosch to Alex Carey, Full and on the pads, Carey ekes out an inside edge on the flick on the pads. A single is taken as the ball rolls wide of point.

Corbin Bosch to Cameron Green, Hits the deck hard and around off, Green knocks it in front of mid off and calls for a quick single. They cross.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, Full and fired in on the off pole, knocked to long off for a single by Cameron.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, FOUR! Cameron Green goes UP and OVER! This is flighted up on a fuller length and outside off. Green is quick to jump down the track and stays on the leg side to loft it over covers and beats the long off fielder running to his left for four runs.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, Slower through the air, on the shorter side, on middle and leg, Carey firmly hits it in front of extra cover. Wiaan Mulder is caught on his heels and that allows Carey to pinch a quick single. Mulder fires in a throw on the bounce towards the bowler but Alex is in by then.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, Carey brings out the reverse sweep, but plays this full ball down to point.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, Floated up, full and on off, Alex Carey stays leg side of the ball and looks to go over mid off. Gets more height than distance on it and the ball lands well in front of the fence. The mid off fielder turns around and hauls it in. Two runs taken.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, FOUR! Nicely done! Muthusamy keeps it short and at the stumps. Alex Carey stays on the leg side to make some room and punches it aerially in the gap between covers and mid off for four runs.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Slower one, on a length, around the off stump, Cameron Green sets up for the drive and gets it off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, A well-disguised slower from one by Mulder, on a back of a length, around off, Alex is early into the pull and it goes on the bounce to deep square leg. They cross.

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, FOUR! Clever batting! Wiaan Mulder looks to go full but ends up getting it too full, on middle, Carey walks inside the line, takes it on the full and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, FOUR! Finds the gap perfectly, does Alex Carey! Short of a length and just around off, Carey lets it come to him. He uses the pace and steers it nicely between short third and backward point for a boundary.

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, Full and wide on off, Carey reaches out and carves it over backward point for a couple of runs.

Wiaan Mulder to Alex Carey, NO BALL! Oopsie! Mulder gets it all wrong as he ends up serving a beamer at the bodyline of the batter. Alex Carey is quick to duck under it. A hand of apology straight away from Wiaan. Free Hit to follow.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Sprays it on the pads on a fuller length, Green stays back to chip it over mid-wicket to run a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, Short and pushed across, Carey slaps it straight to cover.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, Looped up, full and on off, Green advances and smashes it on the bounce towards cover where Temba Bavuma gets low to make the stop but only manages to get a hand on it. It is parried away to his right for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Alex Carey, Short and on the off stump, Alex hangs back and punches it to long on for a single.

DRINKS! The Aussie openers caused mass destruction here, but South Africa have managed to get rid of them in the last three overs. The visitors will want to use this opening to bowl a few cheap overs and put pressure on the new batters. However, it will not be easy as the wicket is a belter to bat on. Australia will only have one thing in mind, which is to attack, and every batter from now on will look to score quick runs, as they are very much in line to get something around 400, if not more. Also, Alex Carey comes out to the middle now.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Marsh departs after a well-made century. Looks to go big on the leg side with a slog sweep, but skies it up off a top edge towards the square leg region, as Muthusamy hangs it up, full and around the leg stump. The keeper, Ryan Rickelton, does well to run towards his left and takes a good catch diving forward. Both openers back in the hut in quick succession. Marsh falls for 100 (106).

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, Looped up, full and on middle, Cameron Green firms the drive to long on for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Cameron Green, Flighted delivery, full and around off, Green dances down the track to drive it uppishly towards wide long off for a couple of runs.

Change from both ends. Senuran Muthusamy comes back into the attack now.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, 'Two' is the call and Mitchell Marsh gets it to reach his HUNDRED! A fantastic knock from the Aussie skipper and he will be hungry for more. Pitched up by Mulder, on middle and leg, Marsh drives it towards wide long on where Corbin Bosch runs in off the ropes and tries to pick it up with one hand. Fails to gather it on the first attempt and that allows for the second to be completed comfortably. 4th ODI hundred for Marsh but his first against South Africa.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Dugs in short and keeps it bodyline. Green plays the compulsive pull shot to beat the short fine fielder on his right for a three, before Tristan Stubbs makes the stop near the boundary cushions running towards his right.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, On the pads from around the wicket, full in length, Marsh clips it through square leg for a single.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Good-length delivery, around the off stump, Green nudges it down to mid on and sets off for a quick single.

Wiaan Mulder to Cameron Green, Banged into the surface, around off, Cameron Green lets it be.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, Mulder starts off with a low full-toss, directed towards the stumps. Marsh stands tall to drill it to long on for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Green, Tossed up, full and on off, CG steps out and eases it to cover.

Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Green, Flat and outside off, Green gets back and punches it to the left of deep point for a brace.

Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Green, Coming in with the arm, on the off stump, flat and short, Green chops it down in front of point.

Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Green, FOUR! Great shot from Cameron Green! Flighted delivery, full and outside off, spins away from the batter. Green covers the line nicely to play the inside-out shot over cover for his first boundary.

Keshav Maharaj to Cameron Green, Pushed through, full and on middle, played back to Maharaj by Green.

Cameron Green walks out to bat at number 3.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The entertainment from Travis Head is over! From around the wicket, this slides across the left-hander, on a length, Head charges down the track to go down the ground. Loses his shape in the process and it gets sliced towards long off. Dewald Brevis settles under the skier to take a safe catch. Maharaj walks up to Head to congratulate him on what has been a superlative knock. Travis gets a standing ovation from the Mackay crowd. The 250-run opening stand is broken. Travis Head falls for 142 (103).

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Full and on the pads, flicked to wide long on for a single.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, SIX! MASSIVE from Travis Head! Markram loops it up above the eyeline, a bit slower in the air and at the stumps. Head reads the flight and sits down on one knee to slog sweep it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Very full, on middle, Travis gets under the ball and slams it back over the bowler's head. Corbin Bosch from long off is quick to his left and slides to prevent the boundary. Flicks the ball away from the fence. Two runs taken.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Pulls his length back, quicker and flatter on the off pole, Head plays it out to backward point.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, SIX! BANG! Sliding on with the arm, on a length, on middle, Travis Head gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep. Hits it flat and wide enough of the man at wide long on to his left for a six.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, FOUR! Travis Head goes downtown! Markram pitches it up, too full and around off, in the hitting arc. Head clears out his front leg and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Drifting onto the pads, Marsh clips this full ball to mid-wicket.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Fires it full and attacks the stumps, Marsh drives it towards extra cover.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Darted back in, full and on the off stump, Mitchell Marsh defends it off the front foot.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Dragged down, on middle, Head shimmies down the track to play it past mid-wicket for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Shorter and quicker, on the off stump, Mitchell makes room and cuts it to the left of cover for a run.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, This is on a nagging length, sliding onto the stumps. Marsh pushes it down to short covers.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Shorter and on middle, MM gets back in his crease and punches it to long off for a run.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Bowls an off-break, on the fuller side, Marsh blocks it out solidly off the front foot.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Turning away, on a nagging length, Head slaps it past the man at short cover to his right for a single.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Fractionally short, on middle, Marsh pulls it behind square on the leg side for a run.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, At the stumps, on a length, defended by Marsh.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Slows it up, and keeps it full around the stumps, Head drills it down to long on for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Full and on off and middle, Travis gets down the track and lofts it in front of long off for a run.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Keeps the line tight and at the stumps, Head pushes it back to the bowler.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, FOUR! In the gap! On the pads, on a length, Head charges down the track and whips it aerially to the right of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, On a shorter side and drifts into the batter on off pole, Marsh gets behind the line and plays it towards covers for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Fuller and slower, a hint of turn, on the off stump, Marsh knocks it to cover.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Cuts it hard! Maharaj drops it short and gives the width outside off, Marsh rocks back and cuts it hard behind point for four runs.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, FOUR! Thumped down the ground! Floated up, full and on off, Head gets under the ball and slams it to the left of long off for a boundary.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Turn and bounce for Markram. Off-break delivery, and gets the extra bounce, as Marsh plays it out nicely past covers for a single.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Too full, on off, Head swings and gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket for one more.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Keeps it fullish and drifts along the pads line, Marsh gets forward and knocks it down past mid-wicket for a single.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Miscued but safe! Looped up by Aiden, on a length, around off, Marsh stays leg side of the ball and swings to go inside out. Slices it off the outer half but manages to clear backward point. Tristan Stubbs goes after it and slides to flick the ball away from the fence. The third umpire is called in for the check and after checking a couple of angles, the match official is satisfied that it is a clean effort from Stubbs. Tristan saves two for his side.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Bowls it slower and fuller, doesn't spin much as Head gets back on his back foot and punches it towards deep point to rotate the strike.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, On the pads, on a nagging length, Head flicks it to the left of deep mid-wicket for one.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Fires it full and at the leg stick, Marsh drills it down to long on for a comfortable single.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Fired in, fuller and quicker, on middle, Marsh taps it to cover with his bat close to the front pad.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Floats it up, full and around off, Head extends his arms to drive it past the cover fielder on his right and takes the single.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Attacking the stumps from around the wicket, Marsh lunges and drives this full ball to deep cover for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Bowls it fuller from wide of the crease, comes in with the arm. Marsh gets behind and blocks it out.

Mitchell Marsh has called for a new bat. Looks like the older one has got a crack on the bottom. He selects one, and we are good to go.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Short and on middle and leg, pulled through square leg for a single by Marsh.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Drags his length back, seeing Marsh charge down the track. Drops it around the legs and Marsh defends it out at the end.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, 200 comes up for Australia! Flatter and fuller, on the off stump, Head rocks back and punches it wide of cover for a run. Mark Waugh informs on air that this is the 10th time that an opening stand has been of 200 or more for Australia in ODI cricket.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, This is pitched on a full length on off, drifts into the stumps as Marsh knocks it down to long on off the inner half of the blade for a single.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Fuller and on the off pole, Head gets forward and taps it to long off for a run.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Drops it fuller and outside off, turns away, Head plays it on the off side towards covers.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Slower through the air, on a length, eased to point by Marsh.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Flat and short, on off, Head pushes it in front of mid off for one more.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, FOUR! Nicely done! Going across the left-hander, on the shorter side, Travis Head uses the angle to glide it to the right of backward point for a boundary.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Full and on off, driven back past the bowler for a single by Mitchell.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, HUNDRED FOR HEAD! 7th ODI ton for Travis and it has come on the back of a lean patch. His first in ODIs against South Africa and this has been a knock of the highest order. Shorter and quicker, on off, Travis goes on the back foot and knocks it down to long off for a single. Takes the helmet off and hangs it on the top of the bat handle. Gets a hug from the skipper.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Travis Head moves to 99! Full and sliding onto the pads, Head gets forward and nudges it right between deep mid-wicket and deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Slower through the air, fuller and on middle, Marsh looks to go inside out but is early into the shot. Ends up dragging it off the inside half of the bat to the right of long on for a couple.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Wide! Fired down leg, on a nagging length, Mitchell Marsh goes back for the pull but misses out. A good take by Ryan Rickelton to his left and he goes up in an appeal. Gets no support from anyone else. Temba Bavuma thinks about it but decides against the review. The UltraEdge shows a flat line.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Full and at the stumps, Mitchell Marsh eases it back to the bowler.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Aiden spots Marsh backing away and he follows him. Marsh can only nudge it to mid-wicket.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Turning into the pads, on a length, Marsh clips it to mid-wicket.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Keeps it short, around the off stump, Travis punches it past cover for one more.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Short and on middle, Head presses back and taps it back to Markram.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Slows it up, full and on off, Mitchell Marsh defends it on the front foot.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Full and around off, Head pushes it to long on for one.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Shortish and around off, Mitchell Marsh punches it past covers for a run.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, A big swing and a miss. Muthusamy bowls it slower and hangs it up, around the stumps line on a fuller length. Marsh strides forward and looks to play the big heave on the leg side, but misses it completely. The ball just goes over the leg pole.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Floated, full and on middle, Travis Head tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Lands it full and outside off, relatively slower, Head steps out and blocks it beside the deck.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, SIX MORE! If the first one was pure timing, this one is sheer power. Short of a length and outside off. Mitchell Marsh gets the chance to free his arms and makes full use of it. Cuts it powerfully over the deep point fence and on the roof for half a dozen more. This is now the highest-ever opening stand for Australia in ODIs against South Africa.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, This is on a good length and just outside off. Marsh opens up a bit to jam it out in the off side.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Terrific shot! Kwena Maphaka follows up the bouncer with a fuller one and pays the price. This is around off, Mitchell Marsh once again shows the full face of the bat and gets underneath the ball. Does not try to hit it hard, keeps nice balance and just launches it over the wide long off fence for a biggie.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, A well-directed bouncer from Maphaka, around the right shoulder of Marsh, as he ducks under it.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, Short of a length and on off, Mitchell Marsh stays back and pats it down to the off side.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Rolls his finger over the ball, does Maphaka. Shorter and wider outside off, Head cuts it to deep point for a run.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Flatter, full and on off, Mitchell Marsh drills it wide of short covers. Temba Bavuma dives to his right to make a good stop.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Quicker and shorter, drifts into the pads, Head goes back and tucks it towards mid-wicket to run a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, FOUR! Head moves into the 90s now! Tossed up, full and just on off, Travis Head goes inside out and blasts it over extra covers for a boundary.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Draws the batter on the front foot, as Marsh plays this full-length delivery on the off side for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Flighted, full and on leg, Travis Head uses his feet and eases it to long on for a run.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Bowls it from wide of the crease, on a fuller length and around the stumps, Marsh shows the full face of the bat to drive it down to long off for a single.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Takes pace off, full and on off, Travis Head backs away a bit too early, squeezes it out but with no timing and straight to point.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, Digs in short and around the right shoulder of Marsh, as he stands tall and keeps the pull along the ground towards deep square leg. They cross.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Back of a length and outside off, Travis Head cuts it to deep point for a run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, Delivers it around off, goes across the batter, on a length, Marsh miscues the drive on the leg side and takes a run.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Stand and deliver! Much fuller and on middle, in the slot as well. Mitchell Marsh knows that there is no protection down the ground. He presents the full face of the bat and lofts it beautifully over the bowler and to the long off fence for a boundary. He hasn't looked to hit it hard, just focuses on the timing.

Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Marsh, On top of off, bowls Maphaka from around the wicket. Marsh defends it out in the off side cautiously.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Quicker, short and on off, Travis Head moves back to punch it away but gets a bottom edge back towards the bowler. Just 5 runs from the over despite a boundary on the first ball.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, This is a bit fuller, at the stumps, Marsh drives it firmly towards long off to change the strike.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Floated,full and on off, Mitchell Marsh pushes it to short covers.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Pushed quicker through the air, on a nagging length, Marsh pushes it back towards the right of the bowler.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! 150 UP FOR THE AUSSIES! Tossed up, full and around off, Mitchell Marsh crouches low and extends his arms to get under it. He absolutely bludgeons it along the ground through extra covers for a boundary.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Slides it full and into the stumps, Marsh defends it off the inner half of the bat.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Sticks to the shorter length, on leg, Mitchell Marsh backs away and cuts it over point for a run.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Attacks with the short ball again, but keeps it around the stumps this time as Marsh drops his wrists to make the leave.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Wide! Digs in short again, but way down the leg side, Marsh doesn't bother to play that out. Wided.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Another bouncer, on middle and leg, angling away, Mitchell Marsh backs away but lets it go. He looks at the umpire but gets nothing.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, This is hurled on a shorter length from around the wicket, and around off. Marsh hops up and dabs it down into the deck.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! FIFTY FOR MARSH! His 21st in ODIs, and this has been a real captain's knock. He has complemented Head nicely, but now may notch up a gear. Short of a length and around middle, Mitchell Marsh makes room by moving to the leg side. He reaches out and crunches it through point for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Starts off with a bumper, does Bosch. Keeps it around the off pole and Marsh lets it go past alone.

DRINKS BREAK! It has been all Australia so far. Having opted to bat first, they could not have asked for a better start, and the signs already look ominous for South Africa. The Proteas’ bowlers have failed to apply any dot-ball pressure and must tighten their lines and lengths to halt the scoring rate. Travis Head has looked at his fluent, attacking best, while Mitchell Marsh has anchored smartly at the other end. Corbin Bosch began on a steady note but was taken apart by Head in his previous over. Corbin to continue.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Quicker and shorter, on off, Travis Head backs away and cuts it but fails to beat point.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, A touch shorter but keeps the line at the stumps, Marsh strides forward to play it down to long off for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Fires one full and angling into leg, Mitchell Marsh drills it wide of the bowler. Senuran Muthusamy dives to his right to make a fine stop on his own bowling.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Goes fuller this time and attacks the stumps, Marsh knocks it back to the bowler firmly on his left.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Floated, full and on leg, Travis Head comes forward and tucks it past short mid-wicket for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, This is full and goes straight with the angle. Head prods forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Short of a length and on middle, Mitchell Marsh stands tall and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace. The opening stand is worth 140 runs in 108 balls.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Across the left-hander, on a length and outside off. Head waits and steers it behind point for an easy single.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, FOUR! Geez, Head has found his form! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, not troubling the batter, and just sits up nicely. Travis Head gets on top of it and smashes it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Pitches it up, around the legs, Head with his open stance looks to flick that away, but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls around the deck.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, SIX! Picked up and how! A slower one, full but on the pads, Travis Head reads it early and waits for it a bit. He brings his wrists into play and whips it nonchalantly off his pads over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Bosch goes into the surface, at 143 kph, on off, Head gets on top of it and slams the pull towards short mid-wicket.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Shorter and around leg, Travis Head flicks it off the back foot through square leg for another run.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, On a shorter side, keeps it on the pads line, Head gets back and tucks it down to short mid-wicket.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Slower through the air, full and on middle, turns in a bit, Travis Head stays back but gets cramped up. Knocks it back to the bowler.

Senuran Muthusamy to Mitchell Marsh, Comes in with the arm, full and attacks the stumps, Marsh pushes it out on the off side for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, Floated, full and on off, Travis Head uses his feet and drills it down the pitch. Senuran Muthusamy dives to his right on the follow-through but fails to stop it as it goes to long off for a single.

Senuran Muthusamy to Travis Head, FOUR! Top shot from Travis Head! Muthusamy is greeted with a boundary. This is on a nagging length and around off, Head reads the flight and crouches a bit to slap it past cover-point for four runs.

Senuran Muthusamy comes on, replacing Keshav Maharaj.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Uppish but safe! Fuller again and just outside off, Travis Head goes after it but slices it uppishly. Hearts-in-mouth moment for Head as he sees the ball fly away but it goes well wide of extra covers for one.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Width on offer outside off and pitched on a length, Marsh flays at it to cut uppishly towards deep point for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Pitched up and on middle, Mitchell Marsh tucks it away to short mid-wicket.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, On top of off, jags back into the batter, Marsh takes a few steps down the track and blocks it out solidly.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Good length and shaping into the leg side, Travis Head tries the pick-up shot but fails to connect. Gets hit just above his left knee as the ball rolls away to the leg side. A leg bye taken. Head has been hit around that area quite a few times in this game.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Honing in on the off stump, on a length, Head drills it down to mid off.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Short and on off, Travis Head punches it to long off for one.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Spears it on the fuller length, and keeps the line tight at the stumps, Head nudges it down to short mid-wicket.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, SIX! Superb shot! Flighted, full and on off, Travis Head skips down the track again but stays leg side of the ball. He opens up the off side and this time gets much closer to the pitch of the ball with the extension of the arms. He carves it away with excellent timing as the ball flies over extra covers and lands on the cushions for a biggie.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Almost a yorker, at the stumps, Head squeezes it out to covers for a dot delivery.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, FOUR! Just wide! Floated, full and around off, Travis Head uses his feet to go inside out. He looks to loft it over covers, but he has to reach out for it and hits it much straighter. It goes aerially and beats the dive of Dewald Brevis at mid off to his right to race away to the fence.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Maharaj lands it a yard behind full on the leg stump line, Head steps out and pushes it back to the bowler on his left.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Much fuller and on off, Mitchell Marsh knocks it down to mid off. Just 2 runs off the over. Tidy stuff.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, This is angled into the batter, in-between length, around the leg pole, Marsh keeps it out off the back foot.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Hits the length hard and on leg, shapes in a bit. Travis Head tries to swipe it across the line but misses. It goes off his pads to towards backward square leg as the batters cross for a leg bye.

Corbin Bosch to Travis Head, Pushed across the left-hander, on a length at 141kph, around off, Head hops up and jams it down to covers.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Back of a length and on off, Mitchell Marsh stays back and dabs it to the right of point for a single.

Corbin Bosch to Mitchell Marsh, Bowls it on a length, around middle and leg, Marsh gets behind the line and knocks it down to mid on for a dot delivery.

Corbin Bosch comes into the attack, replacing Aiden Markram.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Flatter, full and on off, Mitchell Marsh drills it through covers for one more.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Keeps it on a naaging length, around the pads, Head nudges it through square leg for an easy single.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Loopy delivery, full and around off, Mitchell Marsh stretches out and drives it firmly but there is protection at sweeper covers. Just one.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Drifting down the pads, on a shorter side, Head misses the sweep and the ball kisses the pads to roll behind the keeper. A leg bye is taken.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Shorter in length, on middle, Travis Head stays back and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA! Floated up, full and outside off, Head shimmies down the track and chips it over covers for a brace.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Sees the batter advance and drags his length back, on leg, Mitchell Marsh gets a bit cramped up and just keeps it out to the off side.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, WIDE! Lazy keeping! Fires one short but down the leg side, Mitchell Marsh leaves it alone. Ryan Rickelton moves a bit to his left behind the stumps, but fails to grab it and lets it through his gloves. Called a wide and two byes taken.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Drags the length back, seeing Marsh jump down the track. Spins back into the batter, as he gets rapped on the pads.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Flights it up, full and on off, turns in, Mitchell Marsh strides out a bit and fends it towards short covers.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Great shot! Mitchell Marsh at his very best. Hits it with the breeze on the off side. Markram loops it up on a fuller length, on off and turns it back into the batter. Marsh strides forward and with a high elbow, lofts it uppishly over covers for a biggie.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Pushed through quicker, shortish, drifts in, Mitchell Marsh stays in his crease, hangs his bat away and stabs it to point.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Drops it on the shorter side, and outside off, Head hangs back and punches it to deep point for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Slows it up, full and on off, angling in, Mitchell Marsh blocks it out solidly.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Slower through the air, flatter and shorter, comes in with the arm. Marsh stands tall and blocks it out with a straight bat.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Flighted, full and around middle, Travis Head comes down the track again and knocks it towards mid off. He scampers across for a run.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Keeps it tight, fuller and straighter into the stump line, Head tucks it straight to short mid-wicket for a dot.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Tosses it up, full and on off, Travis Head uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of it. Adjusts and taps it to short covers.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Tossed up delivery, full and at the pads, Marsh stays on the leg side and drives it down to long off for a single.

Powerplay 2! South Africa can now have four fielders outside the inner ring till the 40th over. Australia have absolutely raced away in the first ten without losing a single wicket and are in a great position.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Sliding on with the arm, on the off stump, Head punches it back to the bowler.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, On the pads, MM wrists it wide of mid-wicket and takes the single.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, This spins back to cramp Marsh for room. Mitchell hangs back to keep it out.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Full and around off, Head drives it wide of cover for a single.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, Short and on middle, whipped through mid-wicket for a run.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Mitchell Marsh takes the aerial route! This is on a length, around off, Marsh clears the front leg and goes inside out, using the angle. Goes over cover and picks up a boundary.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, On the pads, on a length, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, FIFTY FOR HEAD! A breezy half-century from Travis and this will do his confidence the world of good! On a length, on middle and leg, Travis Head works it through mid-wicket and gets to his 18th ODI half-century.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, FOUR! Up and over! Short and on off, Head gets on the back foot and slams it over cover for a boundary. Moves to 49, does Head.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Oh, my! That has missed the leg stump by a whisker! Nicely slowed down by Maharaj and he hangs it up there, on middle and leg, Marsh looks to swing down the ground but is beaten in the flight and goes through the shot early. The ball goes past the outside edge and the bounce saves the Aussie skipper as the ball passes just above the leg pole. Clips the gloves of the keeper and rolls behind for a bye.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Pushed through, fuller, on middle, firmly driven to mid on.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Flat and short, sliding into the right-hander, Marsh rocks back and winds up for the pull but the ball sneaks under the blade and catches him on the back thigh.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Fuller and on off, Head pushes it to short cover. A tidy start from Markram. Just 2 runs off his first over.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, This keeps coming on with the arm from around the wicket, on a nagging length, on the off stump, tapped to cover by TH.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Keeps it flat and short, around off, Head cuts it straight to cover.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Short and on middle, Travis presses back and punches it to cover.

Aiden Markram to Mitchell Marsh, A bit of grip, shorter and slower through the air, on middle and leg, Marsh checks his shot and tucks it past mid-wicket for a run.

Aiden Markram to Travis Head, Sliding onto the pads, Head flicks this full ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Change? Yes, spin from both ends now. Aiden Markram comes into the attack.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Tossed up, fuller and slower, knocked to long on for a run by Travis.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Sprayed on the pads, Marsh wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, On middle and leg, on a nagging length, Head works it to the left of the diving mid-wicket fielder for one more.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, On the off stump and the length stays short, Travis punches it to cover.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, Shorter and on off, blocked out off the back foot.

Keshav Maharaj to Travis Head, FOUR! Just wide! Sliding across the batter, full in length, Travis Head gets low and backs himself to clear mid off. Succeeds in doing so as he thumps it aerially but to the left of mid off for a boundary.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, On a length, on middle, eased to the left of mid off for a single. Most productive over so far for Australia. 18 runs off it.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, FOUR! Edged away! Pushed across the left-hander, on a good length, Head is rooted to the crease and jabs hard at the ball. Gets an outside edge that goes through the vacant slip cordon and beats short third to his right.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, This is on a hard length, on middle, Marsh drops it with soft hands beside the strip on the leg side for a single.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, Full and around off, Head miscues the drive off the inner half towards mid-wicket for a single.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, SIX! Easy pickings! Mulder errs in line again as this is angled in at the hips. Travis hops and lifts his front leg while playing the pick-up shot. Helps the ball on its way over long leg for a six.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, Wide! Sprayed down leg, on a short of a length, Travis Head looks to pick it up off the pads but misses. 50 comes up for Australia!

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, FOUR! Pure timing! At the stumps, on a length from around the wicket, Head does not look to overhit this one at all and just times the drive between Mitchell Marsh and the stumps at the non-striker's end for another boundary.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Slanting into the batter, on the shorter side, on middle and leg, Mitchell Marsh rocks back for the pull but gets an under edge which goes through his legs and rolls behind. It is cut off by the slip fielder.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Tossed up, full and on middle, Marsh blocks it out solidly.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, First sign of turn! This is slower through the air, on a nagging length, on middle, MM fails to smother the spin and brings his bat out in front to block. The ball straightens to catch the outer half and it rolls to backward point.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Darted into the right-hander, shorter and quicker, Marsh waits back to work it away on the leg side but is beaten on the inside edge and gets rapped on the pads.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Floated up, fuller in length, on middle and leg, Marsh whips it to the right of mid on and Kwena Maphaka mops it up from deep mid-wicket. Another couple for Marsh.

Keshav Maharaj to Mitchell Marsh, Drifting onto the pads, full in length, Marsh picks it up off the pads and hits it aerially to the left of deep mid-wicket. 'Catch it' is the call but it is hit well wide of Kwena Maphaka in the deep. Maphaka is quick to his left and pushes the ball away from the fence while ensuring that his feet are not in contact with the boundary cushions. Two runs taken.

Time for the first change and some spin too. Keshav Maharaj replaces Kwena Maphaka.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, On a nagging length, on off, Travis hangs back and punches it to the left of deep point for a brace.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, Mulder strays on the pads but gets away with it. This is on a length, Head gets inside the line for the flick but fails to help it away. The ball clips the front pad and goes behind towards the keeper.

Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head, On off and middle, on a back of a length, tucked to mid-wicket.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, Into the surface, over middle, Marsh pulls it through square leg for a single.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Easy as you like! This is on a length, around the off stump, Mitchell walks down the track and with a high elbow, gets under the ball. Lofts it effortlessly with a straight bat over mid off for a six.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, On a length, on the off stump, Marsh defends it out on the off side.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Play and a miss! On a good length, in the corridor of off, Head goes hard on the drive but is beaten on the outside edge. Another expensive over from Kwena. 12 runs off it.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, FOUR! In complete control this time! Short and wide on off, there to be put away, Head obliges and rolls his wrists over the ball to keep the cut shot along the ground. Hits it past backward point for four more.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, FOUR! Not in complete control but Travis Head will take it! Kwena Maphaka bends his back and digs it in short, outside off, Head stays leg side and looks to slap it through the off side. The ball gets a bit big on him and Travis manages to drag it with a flat bat past Mitchell Marsh at the non-striker's end for four more.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, On a back of a length, on off, Head gets on top of it and punches it to cover.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, FOUR! Lovely stroke! Kwena goes full, around the off stump, Head presses on the front foot and angles the bat face to thread the drive between cover and cover-point. Aiden Markram gives it a chase but in vain.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Near the wide guideline on off, on a short of a good length, Travis Head throws his hands at the ball but the bat turns in his hand at the point of impact. Head mistimes it towards cover.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Clean strike! Wiaan looks to go short but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter, on off and middle, Marsh picks the length early and dispatches the pull off the front foot over deep square leg for the first six of the contest.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, Fuller in length, a hint of away shape, outside off, Mitchell Marsh takes a couple of steps down the track and shapes up for the drive. Miscues it off the inner half of the bat to mid on.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, Honing in on the off stump, on a good length at 128.9 kph, Marsh does not get right behind the line of the ball but manages to defend it solidly.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, On the off pole, on a good length, Mitchell hangs back and pushes it to cover.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, Keeps it on the shorter side but the line is tighter, closer to the off stump, Marsh covers the line and keeps it out with a straight bat.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Mitchell Marsh also starts with a boundary! Mulder bashes the hard length from over the wicket, around off, Marsh rises with the bounce and flays at it. Hit a bit uppishly but to the right of the diving cover fielder for a boundary.

Wiaan Mulder to take up the other new ball.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Drags the length back and tucks Travis up for room Head hops to work it off the hips with the angle but fails to lay any bat on it. Wears it on the thigh pad.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, FOUR! Fine shot! Pitched up by Kwena, on the off stump, Head does not move his feet much and just gets his hands through the ball. Extends his hands into the drive and hits it back past the bowler for the second boundary of the over.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Jagging back in off the seam, on a hard length, on middle, Travis Head gets on his toes and stabs it down the deck.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Wide! This is sprayed a bit too wide on off, on a good length, left alone by Travis Head. A slightly harsh call as the replays indicate that the ball sneaked just inside the tramline.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, At 137.1 kph, on middle and leg, on a nagging length, Head hops to nudge it away but misses on the inside edge. Ouch, Travis gets hit on the unprotected area between the thigh pad and the left pad.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, In the channel on off, at 142 kph, on a back of a length. Not that wide for the cut but Travis goes for it and ends up chopping it on the bounce to backward point.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, Wide! Sliding down leg again, on a hard length, Travis Head stays inside the line and lets it be.

Kwena Maphaka to Travis Head, FOUR! Travis Head and Australia are away! Too straight from Maphaka first up, angled in at the hips from over the wicket, on a back of a length, Head tickles it to the left of deep fine leg. Senuran Muthusamy sprints to his left and puts in the dive but the ball goes under his body and trickles behind into the fence.

We are all set for the final game of the series! The crowd has come in numbers for what is just the second men's international match for Australia here at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. The South African players are in a huddle near the ropes before spreading out to take their respective field positions. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh are the two openers for the Aussies. Kwena Maphaka has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

South Africa (Playing XI) - Ryan Rickelton (WK), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (C) (In for Matthew Breetzke), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch (In for Lungi Ngidi), Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kwena Maphaka (In for Nandre Burger).

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (WK), Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly (In for Aaron Hardie), Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott (In for Josh Hazlewood).

The captain of South Africa, Temba Bavuma says that it would have been nice to bat first. Believes that the wicket is on the drier side and does not have much grass. Hopes that the surface will spin a bit more during the day. Informs that Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger have been rested to manage their workload. Also informs that Matthew Breetzke has been rested, more as a precautionary measure.

The skipper of Australia, Mitchell Marsh says that they will bat first, something they wanted to do in the previous game as well. Adds that they are mixing things up and even the crowd is happy with them choosing to bat first. Mentions that this looks like a really good wicket. Further says that they will look to put on a big score. Informs that Sean Abbott comes in for Josh Hazlewood, and Cooper Connolly comes in for Aaron Hardie. He says the series has gone South Africa’s way, but it is important to try and get a victory in this third and final game. Admits they have lost the series, but adds that it is another chance to play cricket for Australia. Talks about the great crowds turning out for them throughout the top end and hopes they can finish with a win for the fans today.

TOSS - Temba Bavuma returns to lead South Africa but the toss lands in favour of Mitchell Marsh. Australia elect to BAT first.

The Proteas’ performance has been all the more impressive given the absence of Kagiso Rabada for the series, while skipper Temba Bavuma was rested for workload management in the previous game and is expected to return. Australia, meanwhile, will be desperate for a collective batting effort that has been missing, with Marnus Labuschagne’s form under scrutiny as his last fifty-plus score came in September 2024. Can the Aussies salvage pride and avoid a whitewash, or will South Africa ruthlessly complete the sweep? Stick around to find out.

South Africa have extended their dominance over Australia in the 50-over format, sealing a fifth consecutive series win. Having outplayed the hosts in both matches, the Proteas now eye a clean sweep to stamp their authority. Their bowlers have set the tone, with Keshav Maharaj’s spin masterclass in the opener and Lungi Ngidi’s incisive spell in the second, dismantling the Aussies. With the bat, Matthew Breetzke has stood tall, scoring 57 and 88 in successive games.

Australia have faced tough days with the bat in both matches, getting bundled out for almost identical scores. While it was captain Mitchell Marsh in the opening game, it was Josh Inglis who was the lone warrior with the bat. Worryingly, Australia have now been dismissed for under 200 in each of their last four home ODIs. The home crowd will expect a better batting performance from their team as they look to end the ODI series with a win.

Hello and welcome to the final act of the Proteas’ white-ball tour of Australia at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The fate of this three-match series is already sealed, with South Africa holding an unassailable 2-0 lead. History beckons for the visitors, who have never achieved a whitewash in an ODI series on Australian soil. For the hosts, it’s all about pride today, with plenty of soul-searching ahead after slumping to three consecutive ODI series defeats.

... MATCH DAY ...

Australia may have edged the T20I series by 2-1, but South Africa have turned the tables in the ODIs, sealing the series 2-0 with one match to spare. Now comes the 3rd and final ODI at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, and while the trophy is already in South Africa’s bag, who have been continuing their dominance over Australia in ODI cricket with a fifth successive bilateral series win since 2016, the excitement lies in how this dead rubber will shape future plans. Can Australia salvage pride after losing seven of their last eight ODIs, or will South Africa complete a clean sweep to underline their dominance? This contest is also another step in the bigger journey, as both teams continue to test fresh combinations and young players with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. Let’s look back at the first two games because that explains exactly where the two sides stand. In the first ODI, South Africa posted 296/8 with Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, and Matthew Breetzke scoring runs before Keshav Maharaj ran through Australia with 5/33, handing them a 98-run defeat. In the second match, Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs gave South Africa a solid total of 277 with their respective fifties, before Lungi Ngidi’s 5/42 knocked Australia out for 193. South Africa won by 84 runs and wrapped up the series. How are South Africa shaping up now? They look settled. Their batting has depth with Breetzke in form, Markram leading, and Stubbs showing maturity in the middle order. Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi have provided useful starts, too, though consistency is an area they can improve. The bigger boost is their bowling, as Maharaj, now No. 1 in the ODI bowling rankings, has been superb, while Ngidi’s variations destroyed Australia in Mackay. Nandre Burger’s pace has added edge, and Wiaan Mulder has chipped in with bat and ball. They did not even miss Prenelan Subrayen, who was reported for a suspect action and was out of the series, which had reduced their spin options. Still, the balance of this side has been impressive. What about Australia? Where are they struggling? The problems have been plenty. In both games, their top order collapsed. In Cairns, Mitchell Marsh’s 88 was the only real resistance, while in Mackay, Josh Inglis fought with a fine 87, but had no support. Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, and Cameron Green have all looked shaky, and the middle order has fallen apart too easily. Their bowling has had moments, where Adam Zampa picked wickets, Xavier Bartlett showed promise, but the attack hasn’t been able to contain or strike consistently. Australia have now lost seven of their last eight ODIs, and though this period has seen them rest senior players, the lack of direction is clear. For the final ODI, they need partnerships with the bat and discipline with the ball if they want to avoid another series whitewash. So what can we expect in Mackay in the 3rd and final ODI? The pitch at Great Barrier Reef Arena has given runs but also assisted bowlers with bounce and turn, as Ngidi showed. If Australia’s batters don’t adapt, South Africa could dominate again. But if Marsh, Head, or Inglis can hold things together, Australia have a chance to hit back. South Africa have the upper hand, but dead rubbers can surprise. The bigger question is - can Australia finally break South Africa’s hold in this format, or will the visitors complete a clean sweep and strengthen their run-up to the 2027 World Cup? Let’s find out soon.