The home side’s total was their second-highest in ODIs as a weakened South Africa attack were given a tough day in the field.
Australia: 431 for 2 (Head 142, Green 118*, Marsh 100)
Centuries from Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green powered Australia to a colossal 431 for 2, their second-highest ODI total.
The innings, filled with relentless boundaries, overwhelmed South Africa’s weakened attack, missing Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, leaving them under immense pressure.
To begin with, Marsh and Head stitched a brilliant opening stand of 250 runs, Australia’s fourth-highest ever, lasting over 34 overs.
Their dominance gave Green, promoted ahead of Marnus Labuschagne, the freedom to thrill, smashing a blistering 47-ball maiden ODI century.
Record Partnerships and Centuries Create History
Importantly, Australia became only the second team where the top three batters scored centuries in the same ODI innings, after South Africa.
Head reached his hundred from 80 balls with trademark strokes, celebrating his first international ton since December 2024, breaking a 25-innings drought.
On the other hand, Marsh paced himself, raising his century off 105 balls before falling while attempting a slog-sweep against Muthusamy’s spin.
Even after their dismissals, Green accelerated mercilessly, bringing up fifty from 28 balls and clearing the ropes with ruthless precision against hapless bowlers.
Green’s Assault Seals a Record-Breaking Finish
Meanwhile, South Africa’s bowlers were punished. Young Kwena Maphaka conceded 73 from six overs, while Wiaan Mulder leaked 93 off his seven.
Although Keshav Maharaj bowled more economically, his breakthroughs came late, while misfields and dropped chances further worsened South Africa’s long, frustrating afternoon.
Green’s spectacular strokeplay lit up the final overs, smashing consecutive sixes against Muthusamy before powering twin blows off Mulder into the stands.
Eventually, he reached his maiden hundred with a calm two off Bosch, finishing unbeaten on 118, while Carey added a quickfire fifty.
In conclusion, Australia’s destructive batting display yielded 126 runs in the last ten overs, producing an unforgettable total that demands a record chase.
South Africa, already facing a depleted attack, must replicate their famous 2006 miracle if they hope to avoid a humiliating whitewash.
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