Australia finished the third ODI match with a convincing 276-run win over South Africa in Mackay, courtesy of scintillating centuries from Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green, after an exciting five-wicket haul from Cooper Connolly.
Though South Africa had already locked the three-match series 2-1, the final match turned into a one-sided affair commanded by the hosts.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh opted to bat first after winning the toss, and his decision proved golden. The top order delivered fireworks as Australia piled on a massive 431/2 in 50 overs.
Travis Head set the tone with fluent stroke play, smashing the bowlers all around the park. Marsh, leading from the front, joined the party with his own explosive innings, while Cameron Green anchored the middle overs before accelerating to his century. Together, the trio’s blistering knocks left the South African attack with no answers.
For the Proteas, nothing seemed to click with the ball. Wiaan Mulder endured a forgettable outing, conceding 93 runs in his seven overs. While Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy attempted to contain the flow, Australia’s relentless aggression meant there was little respite. By the time the innings closed, the home side had set South Africa an improbable target of 432.
The chase, however, never looked convincing. South Africa’s batting lineup crumbled against disciplined bowling, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. From the outset, the visitors failed to build momentum and were eventually bundled out for 155.
Connolly, the young left-arm spinner, emerged as the unexpected hero with the ball. His clever variations and attacking lengths left the Proteas in disarray. “Connolly has picked up a five-wicket haul here. Who would have thought before the innings that he will be the main man for Australia?” read one observation as he ran through the middle and lower order.
Among the few bright spots for South Africa was Dewald Brevis, who played a spirited knock of 49. He struck some hefty blows, briefly reminding fans of his T20 heroics. However, he fell trying to clear long-off, unable to convert his start into a match-defining innings. “Well, he scored his 49 in a quick time, but this is a format where he needs the art of strike rotation and he had the opportunity to make a good 70-80,” was noted about his innings.
Other batters failed to adapt. Tony de Zorzi succumbed to Connolly’s trap, Tristan Stubbs was dismissed trying to go aerial against Bartlett, and Mulder’s attempt to counterattack ended in disappointment. Corbin Bosch followed in similar fashion, leaving the Proteas with no real resistance.
The comprehensive victory meant Australia ended the series on a strong note, despite losing it 2-1. With positives such as top-order runs and Connolly’s emergence as a potential spin option, the hosts will take confidence moving forward. For South Africa, while the series win stands as a significant achievement, the manner of their collapse in the final ODI will raise questions about consistency under pressure in large chases.
Australia, having earlier won the T20I leg of the tour, finished the bilateral contest with another statement performance. Though the trophy went to South Africa, the Mackay clash belonged entirely to the men in yellow.
