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Cameron Green, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh hit tons as Australia posted 431-2, crushing South Africa by 276 runs in Mackay with Cooper Connolly taking 5-22 in a record ODI win.
Cameron Green celebrates after completing his century. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Cameron Green hit a swift 47-ball century, alongside tons from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, as Australia overwhelmed South Africa by 276 runs in a record-breaking third and final one-day international on Sunday in Mackay.
Playing for pride after being down 2-0 in the series, Australia responded brilliantly, amassing a formidable 431-2 after choosing to bat — their highest ODI total on home soil.
They then bowled out the Proteas for 155 in the 25th over, with spinner Cooper Connolly taking 5-22.
Head was exceptional, scoring 142 off 103 balls, with strong support from skipper Marsh (100 off 106).
Their 250-run stand at Great Barrier Reef Arena marked Australia’s highest ever opening partnership against the Proteas, surpassing the 170 by Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist in Durban in 2002.
Green then delivered an explosive 118 not out, making it the first time Australia’s top three have all scored centuries. Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 50, with the 18 sixes hit between them also a record at home.
“A pretty crazy day, a full performance by the lads,” said Marsh. “But full credit to South Africa, they played outstandingly well in the first two games and were too good for us.”
South Africa didn’t help their cause by resting quicks Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi, leaving their second-string attack exposed.
After Marsh won the toss, the openers made an aggressive start, driving Australia to 86 after the 10-over powerplay.
Head was in top form, reaching his half-century off 32 deliveries with ease.
At the other end, Marsh hit two big sixes as he found his rhythm, targeting the Proteas’ new-ball pair of Kwena Maphaka and Wiaan Mulder.
With the bowlers struggling for solutions, Head smoothly reached his seventh ODI century, nudging Senuran Muthusamy for a single.
He then unleashed a series of big hits before being caught in the deep by Dewald Brevis off Keshav Maharaj, after hitting 17 fours and five sixes.
Marsh soon reached three figures but was out the next ball, caught by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton off Muthusamy.
The onslaught continued with Green’s powerful hitting, including three consecutive sixes off Muthusamy to score his maiden ODI century.
Only Glenn Maxwell (40 balls) has scored a faster hundred for Australia.
“The two openers batted beautifully, so me and ‘Kez’ (Carey) could just bat with a lot of freedom,” said Green.
South Africa’s chase started poorly, losing four wickets for 50 inside nine overs.
Sean Abbott dismissed Aiden Markram (two) and skipper Temba Bavuma (19), while Xavier Bartlett took out Rickelton (11) and Tristan Stubbs (one).
The visitors pinned their hopes on Brevis, who showed some fireworks in his 49 before Green caught him on the ropes off Connolly, who then cleaned up the tail.
“We were under the pump from the first ball and didn’t really pitch up today,” said Bavuma. “They put us under pressure and we didn’t have the answers.”
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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