Australia have defeated South Africa by an impressive 73 runs in the third ODI in Canberra on Wednesday. Posting 5/329 Australia had the tourists breathing deeply from ball one.
Missing Mitchell Johnson, the Proteas would have fancied their chances against an inexperienced attack. But this attack has proven itself again. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc claimed 7 wickets, backing up a strong century by Aaron Finch and powerful innings by man-of-the-match Steve Smith to guide the Aussies home.
Australia shot out of the blocks with a century opening stand between Aaron Finch and David Warner. The pair combining for 118 runs in the first 20 overs. Warner fell, caught by de Villiers off the bowling of Vernon Philander after hitting 53(50) including 6 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Both openers are in sparkling form, but Finch went on to post a major total hitting 9 fours and 3 sixes, the powerful striker played patiently before opening up against the South African bowlers.
Finch posted consecutive 50-run partnerships with Shane Watson, who hit a solid 40(38) and Steve Smith. He was eventually out for 109(127), bowled by de Villiers in the 41st over.
Steve Smith hit one of the most interestingly creative and confident one day innings seen by a middle-order batsmen for a time.
Regularly flicking the ball from well outside the off stump on the on-side and chasing balls down the pitch, Smith regularly found the middle of the bat and raced to a vital 73(55) not out.
Australia completing their 50 overs for an intimidating 5/329 at Manuka Oval in front of a packed crowd of over 10,000.
There were plenty of runs in the wicket and the smaller ground was a big confidence booster for the Proteas. The Aussie bowlers had to hold their line and composure in order to contain the flash batting card.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood led from the front after a good start from the opening batsmen. South Africa posted a steady and patient 100-run opening partnership against a fast-moving ball that was moving off the pitch.
Hashim Amla hit 102(115) in what was a typically elegant innings. Missing out in the opening two matches, Amla looked to make the most of the conditions in an attempt to reach Australia’s big total.
Amla was assisted by his opening partner Quinton de Kock who was dismissed in the 19th over for 47(53) caught after spooning one high to Mitchell Marsh off the bowling of Hazlewood.
Mitchell Marsh nabbed the enigmatic Faf du Plessis for 17(21) and Starc, the in-form Rossouw 2(5).
A defiant innings by AB de Villiers brought the contest back into picture as South Africa rallied from 3/148 to beyond 220. Hitting 6 boundaries and a six, de Villiers was making the Aussies nervous.
His belligerent treatment of Watson seemed an ominous sign and when Marsh dropped him on 50, the South Africans seemed on-track to claim a heart-breaking victory.
New man Kane Richardson squeezed a ripping delivery onto de Villiers pads and saw him depart LBW for 52(34) in the 38th over.
This signalled a South African collapse as Starc and Hazlewood combined to clean up the tail. Losing their last 5 wickets for 32-runs South Africa could not handle the accurate pace attack.
Mitchell Starc finished with figures of 4/32 off only 8.0 overs and Josh Hazlewood impressed again with 3/51 from 9.3 overs, removing both openers and spraying the wickets of Hashim Amla in the process.
Australia will head to the MCG on Friday confident and 2-1 up in the series, hoping to continue their excellent bowling form and hopefully re-joined by absent paceman Mitchell Johnson.
