Anurag Kumar
South Africa defeated Australia by 111 runs in the third One-Day International at the JB Marks Oval on Tuesday to win their first game of the five-game series. Aiden Markram’s century and a successful spin attack contributed to the victory.
Markram’s unbeaten 102 helped propel the hosts to 338-6 after being placed into bat. Australia responded with 227 and were bowled out with 15 overs remaining.
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi each claimed two wickets with their spin bowling to halt Australia’s aggressive response.
However, South Africa got lucky when David Warner was run out and Tim David was subsequently given out after a review of a catch that appeared to be dropped but was declared fair by the fourth umpire after a television review.
Markram’s second ODI century was also aided by a stroke of good fortune, as he was dropped on 95, allowing him to reach the century mark.
After losing their footing in the middle of their innings, it was a crucial innings that helped South Africa reach a formidable total.
Quinton de Kock and captain Temba Bavuma put on a 146-run opening stand before de Kock was dismissed for 82 runs by Travis Head’s offspin.
After Bavuma’s dismissal for 57, the host team’s run rate slowed significantly as Australia pushed them back.
With the score at 244-5 when David Miler was dismissed cheaply in the 42nd over, Markram revived the innings and ensured a formidable target with some forceful hitting in the final overs.
It did not appear to bother the tourists, as Warner and Head struck the ball to all parts of the ground and Australia raced to 104-1 off 10 overs as they began their reply on a chilly night.
But when Warner stumbled, lost his shoe and was run out by Maharaj’s dead-eye throw, despite a despairing dive, the match turned.
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Marnus Labuschagne, man of the match in the previous two Australia-won ODIs, was stumped off Shamsi’s bowling for 15 and David was ruled out despite the fact that substitute fielder Bjorn Fortuin appeared uncertain that he had taken a clear catch off George Coetzee’s bowling. Replays on television were also unconvincing.
Seamer Coetzee then completed the tail with the numerals 4-to-50.
On Friday, the teams will meet in Pretoria, and the series will conclude on Sunday at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
