Australia suffer ODI defeat against South Africa

World
Europe

Australia's nightmarish run in world cricket continued as South Africa crushed the Kangaroos by 40 runs to win the third and final one-day international game as well as the three-match series in Hobart on Sunday.

South African batsmen David Miller and Faf du Plessis slammed centuries and shared a massive 252-run partnership to guide the visitors a memorable win over the depleted Aussies, still trying to leave behind the haunted memories of the ball-tampering saga under new coach Justin Langer.

Australia's captain Aaron Finch and South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis lay a wreath during a memorial service to mark the centenary of the Armistice ending World War I before the start of the third one-day international at Bellerive Oval in Hobart. /VCG Photo

The duo's masterclass powered the Proteas to a mammoth total of 320-5 at the Bellerive Oval after they came together at the crease at 55-3 in the 16th over. Miller smashed 139 for his fifth limited-overs century, and du Plessis hit a stroke-filled 125.

Australia's chase was led by a composed Shaun Marsh, who made a fighting 106, but eventually, his inspiring innings went in vain as the Aussies fell 40 runs short of the Proteas total.

Marsh was also supported by Marcus Stoinis's 63-run innings and a 42-run cameo by Alex Carey. But the fiery South African pace duo of Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn ripped through their batting line-up as they finished the game with three wickets apiece.

South Africa's Dale Steyn celebrates dismissing Australia's Alex Carey during the third one-day cricket international at Bellerive Oval. /VCG Photo

Thanks to their emphatic victory, the South Africans were handed their first ODI series win in Australia since 2009. After the visiting side won the first ODI match in Perth by six wickets, Australia bounced back to win the second match of the series in Adelaide by seven runs, ending their seven-game losing streak overall in international ODIs.

The defeat came as a big blow for the Australian cricket team as they will play host to a mighty, in-form Indian team later this month for a tour. The bilateral series will feature all the three formats of the game – T20, ODI and Test.