South Africa vs Australia, 3rd ODI - 5 Talking Points

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David Warner vs South Africa
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Australian batsman David Warner celebrates scoring a century. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

The hosts South Africa went into the third ODI looking to gain an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match series against the visiting Australian side who were in a do or die situation. Both the previous encounters were run feasts as there was very little for the bowlers in the pitches. The South African batsmen were on top as they chased the target of 295 in just 37th over in the first game and followed it up with a score of 361 runs in the next game winning both matches comfortably.

The match at the Kingsmead, Durban wasn’t expected to be too different from the previous games as the pitch again promised assistance for the batsmen and the treat for them indeed continued as Australia powered to a massive score of 371/6 batting first. David Warner and the skipper Steven Smith smashed centuries to keep the Australian hopes alive in the series.

But the efforts of the Australians were overshadowed by a stunning innings of David Miller. After a good start provided by the openers, the innings lost the plot for a bit, but Miller turned up with a wonderful century to bring his side home and handed the team a series win with 2 games still to play. South Africa achieved the second highest run chase in ODI history, behind their own record of 434 against the same opposition in the year 2006.

Amongst all the hard hitting at Durban, here are the 5 major talking points from the game:

1. The onslaught from Warner and Finch

The Australian openers David Warner and Aaron Finch provided a superb start to the innings and went after the bowling right from the word go. They smashed every bowler all around the park and built together a hundred runs partnership. The duo took the Australian score to 110 runs in just the 13th over as Finch was dismissed for 53 runs off 34 balls.

Also read – South Africa v Australia, 3rd ODI Review: Miller blitz scripts a superb series win for the Proteas

Warner went on to score his 8th ODI century and was involved in another century stand with the captain for the second wicket. He scored 117 runs off 107 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes and provided Australia the kind of start they wanted in the must win game.

2. Captain Smith led from the front:

After the wonderful start from the openers, Steven Smith carried on the good work with Warner and took the team to a position of strength. Initially, he played second fiddle to Warner and when he was dismissed, took charge to score the quick runs. He brought up his 6th ODI ton with a run a ball innings before getting out in the 47th over. He lost his wicket in the quest for quick runs at the end but not before doing the job of solidifying the innings. The late cameos from Travis Head and Matthew Wade ensured Australia a huge score of 371 at the end of 50 overs.

3. The hammering of Dale Steyn:

The South African pacer had an off day in the game as he conceded a massive 96 runs in his 10 overs. Warner and Finch had his number from the beginning as they slammed him for plenty of boundaries and derailed his line and length. Dale Steyn could not recover from the early battering and despite picking up 2 wickets later in the game, had a forgettable outing.

Not only him, the other front line fast bowler Kagiso Rabada also had a torrid time in the middle as he went for 86 runs for one wicket in his 10 overs. The decks throughout the series have given a tough time to the bowlers.

Also check out – Twitter Reactions: David Miller hits a staggering century to take South Africa home

4. Amla-de Kock partnership:

Chasing 371 to win, South Africa required a quick start which was provided by Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. Amla was the aggressor from the beginning as de Kock found it tough going. The right-hander was timing the ball beautifully and scored boundaries at will. Later, de Kock also found his rhythm and the duo shared a fifty run stand.

Amla was trapped in front by Hastings in the 9th over as the score read 66, but de Kock continued his merry run to reach yet another half-century in ODIs. His innings was cut short by Chris Tremain in the 21st over as the left-hander went back having scored 70 runs off just 49 deliveries.

5. Miller’s miracle:

The South African innings suffered a setback as they lost 6 wickets in the 38th over for 265 runs. Still plenty of runs were required having just 4 wickets in hand. David Miller then pulled off one of the best innings of ODI cricket and notched up his 4th century. He was magnificent in all his strokes and hammered 5 sixes and 10 fours.

He found an able support in Andile Phehlukwayo who stuck with him till the end. Miller achieved the required rate of more than 9 runs per over which was looking impossible at one stage. He shared a hundred runs partnership for the 7th wicket with the fellow batsman and took South Africa to a memorable victory by 4 wickets and a series win.

Miller remained unbeaten at the end with the score of 118 runs off just 79 balls which earned him the Man of the Match award. The way South Africa turned the game around was nothing short of a miracle.

Also check out – Twitter Reactions: South Africa ride on Killer Miller’s ton, seal the series!

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