Faf du Plessis lauds bowling display as South Africa clinch ODI series against Australia

Sport360 staff 18:24 11/11/2018
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  • The victorious South Africa squad.

    South Africa clinched the three-match ODI series against Australia with a 40-run win in the third and final match at Hobart on Sunday.

    Centuries from skipper Faf du Plessis and David Miller set up South Africa’s huge total of 320-5 before the Proteas bowlers restricted the hosts to 280-9 in their 50 overs.

    The visitors were in a spot of bother early on after they were reduced to 55-3 before Du Plessis and Miller got together at the crease. The pair added 252 runs between them which is the highest partnership for South Africa against Australia in ODI cricket.

    Both the batsmen were given second lives with Du Plessis dropped on 29 while Miller survived a lbw decision on review before they registered their respective tons.

    Du Plessis brought up his 10th ODI ton off 105 deliveries while Miller took 95 balls to get to his fifth triple-figure mark in one-day cricket.

    In reply, the Aussies were rocked early on by Dale Steyn who dismissed the dangerous Chris Lynn for a golden duck before Lungi Ngidi brought down the curtains on skipper Aaron Finch’s innings at 11.

    Steyn rocked Australia with the new-ball.

    Steyn rocked Australia with the new-ball.

    Kagiso Rabada struck early too by sending back Travis Head as Australia were reduced to 39-3. Then, Shaun Marsh and Marcus Stoinis battled with a 107-run stand before the latter fell for 63.

    Marsh forged another promising stand with Alex Carey on the way to completing his sixth ODI ton. Once Marsh fell for 106, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the hosts.

    In the end, despite contributions from Carey and Glenn Maxwell, the Aussies ultimately ended 40 runs short of the target as South Africa clinched the series 2-1.

    “I thought we played our best game of cricket (of the tour),” said Du Plessis.

    “We challenged ourselves to put in a performance. From a batting point of view we were good, but from a bowling point of view we were excellent.”

    Finch, on the other hand, was full of praise for South Africa’s bowling display.

    “They bowled exceptionally well at the end, credit to them in the last 10 overs. After 35 overs we were in a great position but they took it away at the end,” the Aussie skipper stated.

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