South Africa defeated Australia by 32 runs in the second ODI of the three match series at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. After being invited to bat first, South Africa lost two quick wickets in seven overs. They were 36/2 after seven overs. Matthew Breetzke came in at No. 3 and added 63 runs with Temba Bavuma, but he failed to capitalise on the start. Then came the hurricane. David Miller joined Temba Bavuma and the pair added a blazing 156 runs for the fourth wicket. Both Bavuma and Miller played superb knocks and completed their centuries. Short cameos from Marco Jansen and Duan Jansen helped South Africa post a huge total of 365/9. Jack Edwards (5/67 in 10 overs) was Australia's best bowler, while Josh Hazlewood also claimed three wickets. In reply, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head gave Australia a flying start, adding 130 runs for the first wicket before Marsh was dismissed by Bjorn Fortuin off the final delivery of the 17th over. Even after Marsh's dismissal, Australia remained in a strong position. However, when Aiden Markram dismissed Travis Head in the 25th over, the momentum began to shift. Matt Renshaw, Jack Edwards and then Xavier Bartlett, who smashed a blazing 50 off 28 balls, tried hard to keep Australia in the chase. However, the visitors eventually fell 32 runs short. Lizaad Williams (3/54 in 7.5 overs) was South Africa's best bowler, while Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen took two wickets each. The victory gave South Africa their sixth consecutive bilateral ODI series win over Australia. They also successfully defended the fifth-highest ODI total ever recorded at the Wanderers. The match was played in front of a lively Pink Day crowd. The annual event supports breast cancer awareness and treatment, with this year marking its 14th edition. South Africa have now won 10 Pink Day matches.

Australia Strike Early in South Africa’s Innings

Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. They made an immediate breakthrough. Markram fell from the first ball of the innings. Josh Hazlewood generated extra bounce and Markram hit the ball in the air. Cooper Connolly took an excellent one-handed catch at cover-point. Bavuma then joined Quinton de Kock and attacked from the start. De Kock also found his rhythm. He hit two sixes off Hazlewood in the seventh over. But he soon edged behind. South Africa slipped to 36 for 2.

Bavuma and Miller Build a Huge Partnership

Matthew Breetzke joined Bavuma at the crease. The pair added 57 runs and pushed the scoring rate above six runs per over. Australia finally broke the partnership when Breetzke chased a back-of-length delivery from Edwards. Carey took the catch behind the stumps. Bavuma had already scored 45 by then. Miller joined him and quickly settled down. He attacked Adam Zampa’s short deliveries. Bavuma reached his fifty from 62 balls. Edwards later struck Bavuma on the right forearm. The South African captain received treatment before deciding to continue. Bavuma soon showed that the injury had not stopped him. He hit Ellis over midwicket.

Miller Smashes Career-Best 142

Miller and Bavuma then took control of the innings. They added 130 runs in 17.3 overs. The partnership lifted the home crowd and put South Africa in a strong position. Australia had to manage without Ellis for most of the innings because of his injury. Miller attacked Renshaw and produced one of the shots of the innings. He smashed the ball over long-on and into the stands. Bavuma entered the 90s with three consecutive fours against Zampa. He completed his century from 112 balls with a single. Bavuma fell in the following over. He hit the ball towards sweeper cover, where Bartlett took the catch. Edwards claimed his second wicket. Tristan Stubbs then fell cheaply. He misread a slower ball from Edwards and top-edged a hook to Carey. But South Africa still had plenty of batting power. Miller was on 98 when Marco Jansen joined him. Jansen hit a boundary before Miller reached his century. He carved Bartlett over point to complete the milestone from only 73 balls. Miller then looked towards his mother Jenny, whose name appeared on his shirt. He continued attacking and added 39 runs from his next 20 balls. Jansen also attacked. He smashed two huge sixes off Edwards before a slower ball ended his innings. Jansen scored 26 runs from 17 balls. His dismissal ended a 46-run sixth-wicket stand with Miller from only 27 balls. Duan Jansen replaced his twin brother. Miller then reached his ODI career best with a six off Edwards. He tried another big shot soon after but holed out. Edwards completed his five-wicket haul. Duan Jansen finished strongly. He used reverse sweeps against Zampa and scored 27 from 18 balls.

Australia Struggle Against South Africa’s Spinners

Australia started the chase strongly. Mitch Marsh and Travis Head added 130 runs for the opening wicket in just 17 overs. They attacked the South African bowlers from the start. The pair hit a boundary almost every over. Marsh scored 75 runs and smashed five sixes. Head also made a half-century. South Africa struggled to control the scoring early. Marco Jansen, Lizaad Williams and Duan Jansen could not maintain tight lines. South Africa turned to spin early. Keshav Maharaj entered the attack in the ninth over. Australia used their feet well against him and scored 13 runs from his first over. Australia reached 77 without loss during the powerplay. Marsh soon completed his fifty from only 32 balls. He then attacked the spinners. He hit Markram over fine leg and Maharaj over midwicket for six. But Marsh fell soon after. He played for turn that never came and lost his wicket to Bjorn Fortuin. Head reached his fifty from 55 balls. He then attacked Williams' short deliveries. However, Cooper Connolly failed to make a similar impact. He hit Markram straight to short midwicket and departed for 10.

Head’s Drop Proves Costly

Head survived a major chance on 66. Markram bowled a delivery that bounced and turned away. Head edged it towards backward point. Fortuin got both hands to the ball but could not hold on. The mistake cost South Africa 18 runs. Head scored 14 more before Markram dismissed him. Head missed a sweep and received an lbw decision. He reviewed it but could not overturn the call.

South Africa Take Control

Head’s dismissal allowed Maharaj to return to the attack. Australia needed 175 runs from the second half of their innings. Alex Carey became Maharaj’s first victim. The batter stayed deep in his crease and was hit on the pad in front of middle stump. Matt Renshaw briefly gave Australia some momentum. He hit a boundary in each of the next three overs. But Australia continued to fall behind. They scored only 50 runs between the 26th and 36th overs. Maharaj then trapped Renshaw lbw after beating his inside edge. Australia managed only 12 runs during the next five overs. Cameron Green tried to attack but holed out to long-on. Australia needed 113 runs from the final 10 overs. Jack Edwards then gave them some hope. He reached a 26-ball fifty and formed a 61-run seventh-wicket partnership with Xavier Bartlett. But Australia ran out of batting support. Marco Jansen struck twice in two balls. Nathan Ellis then came out to bat despite his injury. Bartlett eventually fell lbw to Lizaad Williams. A successful review from Bavuma confirmed the dismissal. Australia were bowled out with two balls remaining. Aiden Markram took the final catch to complete South Africa’s 32-run victory.