Australia crushed South Africa by 276 runs in the 3rd ODI of the three-match series in Queensland. It was one of their most dominant batting performances in one-day cricket. Centuries from Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh set the stage, while Cameron Green stole the show with a blistering maiden ODI hundred off just 47 balls. His knock powered Australia to their second-highest ODI total, only behind their iconic 434 against South Africa 19 years ago.

In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 155 in 24.5 overs. Cooper Connolly (5/22 in 6 overs) played a key role in wrapping up the South African innings inside 25 overs.

The top three batsmen all scored centuries, making Australia only the second team in history to achieve this in ODIs. South Africa had achieved the same feat against West Indies in 2015.

Head and Marsh Lead from the Front

Opening the innings, Head and Marsh tore apart South Africa’s inexperienced bowling attack. They built a massive stand of 250 runs, Australia’s fourth-highest opening partnership in ODIs.

Head smashed his century off 80 balls, ending his long wait for an international hundred, while Marsh reached his ton in 105 deliveries. Both fell when they looked set for even bigger scores, but they had already laid the foundation for a huge total.

Green’s Explosive Maiden Hundred

Promoted up the order, Cameron Green played with complete freedom. He attacked from the start, hammering bowlers to all parts of the ground. His innings of 118 not out included a sequence of sixes that thrilled the Mackay crowd.

Green reached his hundred with a couple off Corbin Bosch, registering the second-fastest ODI century for Australia after Glenn Maxwell. Alongside Alex Carey, he added 164 runs in just 13.3 overs, helping Australia plunder 126 runs in the last 10 overs.

Collapse of South Africa’s Batting Line-up

In reply, South Africa lost early wickets. Aiden Markram edged to slip, Temba Bavuma chopped onto his stumps, and Tristan Stubbs fell cheaply. At 50 for 4, their chase was effectively over.

Dewald Brevis played some aggressive strokes but holed out on 49, while Tony de Zorzi departed trying to pull Connolly. The middle order offered little resistance, and the innings folded inside 25 overs.

South Africa Crumble Under Pressure

Chasing 432 was always going to be a mountain. South Africa’s batting collapsed under lights as they were bundled out for 155. The loss by 276 runs marked their heaviest defeat in ODI history and gave Australia a consolation win to avoid a clean sweep.

This result also ensured that Australia’s proud record of never being whitewashed in an ODI series at home remained intact.

Connolly Creates History with the Ball

The spotlight in the second innings shifted to 22-year-old Cooper Connolly. He became the youngest Australian to claim a five-wicket haul in ODIs and the first spinner from his country to achieve this milestone at home.

Connolly’s figures of 5 for 22 in six overs also went down as the best-ever by an Australian spinner in ODIs. His wickets included key dismissals of Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj.

Australia Ends on a High

Although South Africa won the series 2-1, Australia finished on a high with their second-biggest win in ODI history. The match highlighted the return of their batting firepower and the rise of Cooper Connolly as a future star.