AUS vs SA 2025: 'Team not a complete package yet' - Proteas skipper Bavuma after 2-1 series win

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has admitted that his team had 'no answers' to a dominant Australian display in the third ODI of the three-match series. They had already clinched the series with wins in the first couple of games, but the Australian side went all guns blazing in the series finale at the Great Barrier Reef Arena to sign off the series on a high. The 276-run loss in Mackay was South Africa's heaviest defeat in their ODI history.

The Proteas captain further went on to acknowledge that they needed to find the correct measure while trying to play an assertive brand of cricket in the third and final match of the series. He was also positive that this heavy defeat would help them introspect and better themselves for the future. 

"We were under the pump from the first ball today. They put us under pressure and we had no answers. They made it look like a very good surface which I think it was. Yeah, they were far better than us. (Missed the experienced bowlers) in terms of assessing the conditions and adjusting to them. It's a big learning curve for all of us. We need to find the balance between playing high-risk and batsmanship. Can only get better from here," stated Bavuma during the post-match ceremony.

Bavuma complimented his side's overall effort of coming out on top in terms of the result of the series. However, he reiterated that there were certain aspects which the team would be aiming to enhance while keeping the 2027 World Cup in mind, which is set to be hosted in Africa.

"We are not close at the moment from the team being a complete package. We didn't play close to our hundred percent. But it was a good effort to come out on top and win the series. We need to keep learning from our mistakes, we are still making them in batting and bowling. We do have to work on a few things with the one-day World Cup in a couple of years. So, we need to keep getting better," he added.

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Green, Head, Marsh centuries give Australia consolation win

South Africa were thoroughly battered on Sunday by record-shattering centuries from Australia's top three (Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green) before getting bowled out for 155 in 24.5 overs, with Cooper Connolly securing his maiden five-wicket haul in the 50-over format. The next assignment for the Proteas will be the white-ball series against England on their tour of the United Kingdom.