Australia suffered a series defeat to South Africa in the One Day International (ODI) contest, losing the second of three scheduled games by 32 runs in Johannesburg on Sunday, and sealing the series with a game still to play. The hosts posted a massive total of 366 runs, thanks to two spectacular centuries from David Miller, who smashed 142 runs off just 93 balls, and captain Temba Bavuma, who contributed 103 runs off 116 deliveries. Their partnership set a daunting target for the visitors after South Africa chose to bat first at the toss. The Australian innings began brightly.
Openers Mitch Marsh and Travis Head provided an aggressive start, with Marsh compiling 84 runs from 53 balls and Head adding 85 runs from 76 balls. Their brisk scoring put the visitors in a strong position early on, as they attacked the South African bowlers from all angles and seemed poised to chase down the imposing total. However, the middle order quickly ran into trouble. After a solid start of 191 for two wickets at the end of the 25th over, Australia’s batting collapsed.
Over the next 15 overs they added only 62 runs while losing four more wickets, sliding to 253 for six. The loss of wickets in the middle order exposed a familiar vulnerability against spin and a lack of depth in the batting line‑up.
The team found itself needing 113 more runs from the final ten overs, a steep climb under pressure. A late surge came from Xavier Bartlett, who smashed a quickfire fifty off just 28 balls, but the effort was insufficient. Australia ultimately fell short, being bowled out for 333 runs in the final over, handing South Africa a 33‑run victory. South Africa’s spin attack proved decisive.
Keshav Maharaj claimed two wickets for 54 runs, while fellow spinner Bjorn Fortuin took two for 70 and Aiden Markram contributed one for 55. Among the seamers, Lizaad Williams returned figures of three wickets for 54 runs and Marco Jansen added two for 53.
Australian captain Mitch Marsh reflected on the performance, acknowledging the team’s shortcomings: "It’s certainly an area where we need to improve and we’re well aware of that. I thought we set up our innings really well in both games but we haven’t been able to execute during those middle phases.
It’s a great learning curve, especially for some of our younger players. But you also have to give South Africa full credit for the way they’ve bowled during those periods." Miller’s eighth ODI century was a masterclass, featuring twelve fours and nine sixes, while Bavuma’s sixth century anchored the South African innings. Their combined effort propelled the Proteas to a final score of 365‑9 after the full 50 overs. On the Australian side, Jack Edwards, playing only his second ODI, made an impact with a five‑wicket haul, taking 5 for 67.
Veteran fast bowler Josh Hazlewood also contributed, dismissing Markram for a golden duck on the first ball and finishing with figures of 3 for 70. Australia have not won a bilateral ODI series against South Africa since 2014, and this defeat extends a recent run of 19 losses in their last 25 ODIs against the hosts.
The visitors will now aim for a consolation win in the final match of the series, scheduled for Wednesday in Potchefstroom. South Africa’s captain Bavuma praised his side’s all‑round performance: "It was another really good all‑round team performance. It started with the bat.
Conditions were a little tricky up front but we managed to get through that period and build towards a good total. David played an unbelievable innings and then the bowlers did their job as well." Fans can watch the third and decisive ODI between South Africa and Australia live on Sky Sports Cricket, with coverage beginning at 12 pm (first ball at 12:30 pm) on Wednesday. The broadcast will also be available through Sky Sports’ streaming service, NOW, offering a contract‑free option for viewers who wish to follow the action.