+34
Australia avoided a whitewash in their ODI series in South Africa, with Pat Cummins's encouraging comeback and the return to form of Adam Zampa and Alex Carey inspiring them to a rain-interrupted win in Potchefstroom.
Alex Carey hit a half-century as Australia won the third ODI against South Africa. Australia has defeated South Africa in a rain affected ODI, avoiding a whitewash in the series.
The first of three Test matches between Australia and South Africa begins on October 9 in Durban. Australia avoided a whitewash in their ODI series in South Africa, with Pat Cummins's encouraging comeback and the return to form of Adam Zampa and Alex Carey inspiring them to a rain-interrupted win in Potchefstroom.
The final day-nighter was eventually called off under the lights on Wednesday as rain ruined the finale, but Australia could still celebrate a satisfying 45-run victory on a day when they were vastly improved after their capitulation in chases in the first two matches. Half-centuries from the rejuvenated Carey and captain Mitch Marsh , plus 48 from Ollie Peake, helped propel Australia to 9-322 after they had been put in, with South Africa at no point then threatening to pull off the highest successful ODI chase ever at the ground.
By the time the rain, which had also delayed the start by half an hour, returned to quite spoil the fun, Australia were already in full control. Zampa rediscovered his best after recent struggles and Xavier Bartlett earned a couple of key early wickets as only Ryan Rickelton looked likely to trouble the visitors with South Africa limping to 4-145 off 28 overs.
Cummins may have returned as bowler only, not as the captain, with Marsh keeping the job for the third and final match, but his return seemed to enthuse everyone, with his 0-17 off five probing overs suggesting he'll be in fine shape to lead his troops in the first Test in Durban on October 9. Stand-in Marsh again did his bit, leading from the front, as he powered to his third half-century of the series following his 60 and 84 in Durban and Johannesburg.
He and Travis Head again provided an electric start with a 78 stand at nine runs an over, and this time the middle-order built much more assiduously against a Proteas side who weren't helped by resting key spinner, player-of-the-series Keshav Maharaj, and captain Temba Bavuma among four changes. Cameron Green had an eventful time, taking a fearful beamer from Bosch straight into his box, but recovering to hit the next delivery, also a fast full-toss, courageously for six, only to then be bumped out next ball by a short one, seemingly suffering a muscle injury in the process.
Zampa was back to his squeezing, probing best, luring the dangerous first-match centurion Matthew Breetzke to be stumped on 25 and trapping Tristan Stubbs lbw for 14. Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.
ODI Cricket Australia Cricket Pat Cummins South Africa Cricket
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cricket 2026: Australia vs South Africa third ODI, Nathan Ellis injury, Jack Edwards hamstring, team newsTriple injury blow rocks Aussies as five-wicket hero under cloud for ODI finale
Read more »
'More like January than September' as SA temperature records brokenMore than a dozen places in South Australia have recorded their hottest September day on record.
Read more »
Australia's Captain Sophie Molineux Faces Fitness Test Ahead of Series Against Bangladesh and New ZealandSophie Molineux has been named to lead Australia's white‑ball squad despite a hip injury, with selectors eyeing her fitness for the opening ODI in Brisbane on October 9 and the subsequent T20 series against New Zealand. The Australian team also contends with injuries to fast bowler Darcie Brown and quick Lucy Hamilton, while the leadership structure remains in play if Molineux is ruled out.
Read more »
Australia Tour South Africa: Test Series Preview and ContextAustralia faces South Africa in a high-stakes Test series, marking a return to Cape Town eight years after the Sandpapergate scandal. With the World Test Championship final on the line, the Australian squad is under pressure to redeem themselves following a loss to Bangladesh. South Africa enters the series as reigning World Test Champions, bolstered by their recent ODI victory and strong historical performance against Australia.
Read more »