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28 March 2024

Australia vs South Africa Tri-series ODI: De Villiers, Du Plessis double act seals SA win

Published
By By A Correspondent & Agencies
AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis struck sublime centuries as South Africa chased down a massive score to beat Australia by seven wickets in the second one-day international of the triangular series on Wednesday.
 
The pair put on 206 for the third wicket, the highest South Africa partnership against Australia, as the Proteas reached their victory target of 328 with 20 balls to spare at the Harare Sports Club home of series hosts Zimbabwe.
 
It eclipsed the 187 put on by Herchelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith as they famously chased down 434 at The Wanderers in 2006, and was no less impressive for the skill shown by the pair as they scored all around the ground.
 
After South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl, Australia showed great acceleration at the end of their innings to post 327 for seven in 50 overs, with opener Aaron Finch crashing 102 from 116 balls.
 
But it was not enough as the Proteas recovered from a wobble at 51 for two to reach their target with some ease on a wicket that got flatter as the day wore on.
 
For Du Plessis it was a first ODI century as he recorded 106 from 98 balls and made a mockery of recent criticism over his slow strike-rate in limited overs cricket with a fine display of finesse and power hitting.
 
Captain De Villiers rode his luck after offering simple chances to Mitchell Johnson and George Bailey that were dropped when he had 78 and 85 respectively, and battled on through severe cramp to score 136 not out from 106 balls.
 
It is a welcome return to form for the right-hander, who had scored only 29 runs in three innings in test and ODI cricket on the tour before this match, and is the second highest score by a South African against Australia in limited overs matches.
 
JP Duminy scored an unbeaten 33 at better than a run-a-ball to help De Villiers steer the Proteas home.
 
Finch was the anchor for Australia's innings as they again had to do without injured captain Michael Clarke, while stand-in skipper George Bailey struck a brisk 66 and Phillip Hughes a more patient 51.
 
The third game of the triangular series will be played on Friday when South Africa tackle Zimbabwe at the same venue. The hosts lost their first match against Australia by 198 runs on Monday.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

De Villiers and JP Duminy achieve the target without much fuss. SA 327-3 in 46.3 overs.

De Villiers going strong on 123 while Duminy is on 13. The Proteas are inching closer to victory comfortably. SA 293-3 in 43 overs.

Faf du Plessis departs after a stunning knock. SA 257-3 in 38 overs.
 
Faff du Plessis c Smith b Starc 106 (98b 11x4 1x6)

De Villiers and Du Plessis crack brilliant century. Two great knocks in the middle. This was Du Plessis first ODI century. What an innings from the South African against a quality opponent. 

It looks all easy for South Africa at the moment. Needing just 107 from 96 balls and with two settled batsmen in the middle it shouldn't be a tough task. SA 221-2 in 34 overs.

Du Plessis on 78 while De Villiers reaches 60 as South Africa need another 141 from 120 balls. SA 187-2 in 30 overs.

De Villiers also gets to his half century in 49 deliveries including four boundaries and a six. SOuth Africa are in a great position thanks to this parternship. SA 160-2 in 27 overs.

The century partnership comes up for Du Plessis and De Villiers. South Africa need another 177 from 150 balls with still eight wickets in hand. SA 151-2 in 25 overs.

A deserving half century for Du Plessis. He faces 54 balls including six boundaries and also shares 90 runs for the third wicket with De Villiers. Ind 142-2 in 23 overs.

South Africa need another 208 runs to win in 180 deliveries. Du Plessis on 46 while De Villiers is on 26. SA 119-2 in 20 overs.

Partnership reaches 30 between Du Plessis and De Villiers. SA 81-2 in 15 overs.

South Africa lose another one quickly as De Kock fails to control his shot to offer a simple catch to Faulkner at deep square leg. SA 51-2 in 9 overs.
 
Quinton de Kock c Faulkner b Starc 19 (18b 2x4 0x6)

South Africa lose their first wicket as Amla cuts it to the point fielder. There was a slight delay just to confirm if the catch was taken clean by Smith. SA 44-1 in 7.2 overs.
 
Hashim Amla c Smith b Richardson 24 (29b 4x4 0x6) 

Openers looking strong at the moment maintaining a good run rate. SA 35-0 in 5 overs.

A fine start from De Kock as he scores two lovely boundaries. SA 14-0 in 2 overs.

Johnson opens the bowling attack as Amla and De Kock prepare to bat.

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

Twenty runs coming off that last over as Johnson runs havoc to give Australia 327 for seven in 50 overs.
 
An expensive over from McLaren giving away three successive boundaries to Smith as Australia cross 300. But McLaren takes his revenge rattling the stumps of Smith. Aus 301-7 in 48 overs. 

Steven Smith b McLaren 31 (19b 4x4 0x6) 

Imran Tahir finishes his spell. His second half was not an impressive one as he finishes 10-0-45-2. Aus 275-6 in 46 overs.

Australia losing too many wickets in quick succession. Haddin departs after a good start as he edges one to the slip to Amla. Aus 268-6 in 44.2 overs.
 
Brad Haddin c Amla b Steyn 9 (7b 0x4 1x6) 

Maxwell turns a flop this time. Attempts a big hit but it goes high up in the air only for a simple catch to De Villiers. Aus 253-5 in 42.4 overs.
 
Glenn Maxwell c de Villiers b Morkel 7 (8b 1x4 0x6)

Another quick wicket falls for Australia as Bailey departs. Two settled batsmen back in the hut. Aus 242-4 in 41 overs.
 
George Bailey c de Kock b Morkel 66 (54b 3x4 3x6)

Finch finally succumbs attempting a pull and getting a top edge for an easy catch to Duminy. A great know that has put Australia in command. Aus 229-3 in 39.2 overs.
 
Aaron Finch c Duminy b McLaren 102 (116b 9x4 1x6) 

Bailey reaches his half century quickly with a fantastic six off Morkel. He gets it in 44 deliveries including three boundaries and two sixes. Aus 229-2 in 39 overs.

A fine century from Finch. He scores nine boundaries and a six during his 111-ball ton. Both Finch and Bailey also get their century partnership. Aus 216-2 in 38 overs.

It's smooth sailing for Australia at the moment with Finch batting on 81 and Bailey on 39. Aus 190-2 in 35 overs. 

Good over for Australia as 10 runs comes off it. Finch reaches 73. Aus 162-2 in 32 overs.

Finch reaches 66 while Bailey makes a slow start to score 6 from 17 delieveries. Credit to the South African bowlers. Aus 136-2 in 29 overs

Tahir has been brilliant here. His six overs has given away only 21 runs with two wickets. Aus 124-2 in 26 overs.

Imran Tahir picks up his second wicket. He is bowling really well keeping the Aussies under pressure. Aus 115-2 in 24 overs.
 
Mitchell Marsh lbw b Imran Tahir 5 (13b 0x4 0x6)

A fine half century from Finch. He gets it with a boundary from 65 balls. 

Finch going around his batting cautiously. He is on 43 from 59 balls while Marsh is on four. Aus 105-1 in 22 overs.

Mitchell Marsh joins Finch. South Africa will look for a couple more wickets to put Australi under pressure. Aus 97-1 in 20 overs.

Imran Tahir strikes to remove Hughes. A good knock from the opener departs offering a simple catch to De Villiers going for a big drive. Aus 92-1 in 18.2 overs.
 
Philip Hughes c de Villiers b Imran Tahir 51 (63b 8x4 0x6)

Hughes gets to his half century in 66 balls. His third ODI 50. Aus 90-0 in 17 overs.

Finch just a run away from his half century. McLaren bowls a fine over to conced just a run. Aus 87-0 in 16 overs.

Imran Tahir is introduced into the attack as Australia openers are cruising without much fuss. Aus 83-0 in 14 overs.

Hughes and Finch are in total control as Australia reach 71-0 in 12 overs.

Australia are 62-0 in 10 overs.

The 50-run partnership comes up for Australia as Hughes smashes a fine boundary. Finch batting on 21 while Hughes on 26. Aus 54-0 in 8 overs. 

Hughes flicks one nicely to a boundary that came after a long gap. Aus 33-0 in 6 overs.

After making a positive start, Finch and Hughes have been tied down by some good bowling from Steyn and Parnell. The openers being a little cautious. Aus 22-0 in 4 overs.

Cracking start from the Aussie openers as each of them get a boundary. Aus 10-0 in 1 over.

Aaron Finch and Philip Huges begin proceedings for Australia. Steyn to open bowling for South Africa. 

South Africa have won the toss and elected to field. The Proteas bowling attack is boosted with the return of Dale Steyn, Mornie Morkel.

Playing XI:

Australia: Aaron Finch, Philip Hughes, Mitchell Marsh, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin, JP Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson
 
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

PREVIEW

There would be no clear favourite as Australia face off with South Africa in the Tri-series also involving hosts Zimbabwe.
 
Australia have began well registering a convincing 191-run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening ODI of the tournament.
 
The match will be important for both the teams and the focus will be on the 2015 World Cup of which Australia is one of the hosts.
 
With Zimbabwe very unlikely to make it to the final, it provides a great opportunity to both the teams to fight themselves twice before meeting in the final.