South Africa posted a formidable total of 365 for nine against Australia in the second one-day international at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. The mammoth score was driven by contrasting centuries from Temba Bavuma and David Miller after the hosts were asked to bat first, building a daunting platform despite early top-order trouble.
Wanderers Rocked by Bavuma and Miller Centuries
Early Trouble Giving Way to Recovery
South Africa slipped to 36 for two inside the seventh over. Aiden Markram fell for a first-ball duck, and Quinton de Kock was dismissed for 15 by Josh Hazlewood.
Captain Temba Bavuma anchored the innings. He combined with Matthew Breetzke, who contributed a brisk 34 from 28 deliveries featuring six boundaries, to steady the hosts.
Bavuma eventually reached his sixth ODI century. He compiled 103 runs from 116 balls with ten fours and two sixes.
Miller Unleashes Career-Best Destruction
Bavuma shared a crucial fourth-wicket partnership of 156 runs with David Miller before slicing a drive off Jack Edwards to cover.
Miller entered the crease at 93 for three in the 16th over and played a destructive innings. He smashed a career-best 142 from just 93 deliveries, featuring a dozen fours and nine sixes.
Australia’s bowling attack suffered under the onslaught. Legspinner AdamZampa endured a wicketless nine overs costing 77 runs, while Hazlewood conceded 70 runs while claiming three wickets. Jack Edwards finished as Australia’s pick of the bowlers with figures of 5-67 from his 10 overs, securing his maiden List A five-wicket haul.
Late Surge Chasing History at the Wanderers
The lower order capitalized on the foundation laid by Bavuma and Miller. Marco Jansen added a quick 19 from 15 balls, hitting a four and two sixes, while Duan Jansen finished unbeaten on 27 from 18 deliveries with four boundaries.
The total of 365 revives memories of the historic ‘438 game’ played between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers twenty years ago.
Tactical Changes and Lineups
Both teams adjusted their starting XIs following South Africa’s 67-run victory in the opening match in Durban on Thursday. South Africa released Ryan Rickelton for personal reasons, bringing Tristan Stubbs into the middle order. Markram returned to replace Tony de Zorzi, while Duan Jansen and Lizaad Williams replaced Corbin Bosch and Gerald Coetzee respectively.
Australia was forced into a change after wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis broke a finger during the first match, bringing Alex Carey into the side. Xavier Bartlett also replaced the rested Mitchell Starc.
Playing XIs:
- South Africa: Team sheet features Quinton de Kock (wkt), Aiden Markram, skipper Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Duan Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, alongside Lizaad Williams.
- Australia: Lineup includes captain Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey (wkt), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood.
Worth a look