Twitter Reactions: South Africa complete a comprehensive whitewash of Australia with yet another clinical win

After losing the T20I series 1-2, South Africa bounced back really well and have registered a 3-0 whitewash against a full-strength Australia. The Aaron Finch-led side was completely outplayed in all three games. Be it batting first or chasing, South Africa simply dominated the series. They did rest a few players for the third game yet they came out victorious by six wickets as they chased down 255 with ease.

Marnus Labuschagne ton propels Australia to 254

Who says fairy-tales don’t exist? Ask Marnus Labuschagne. The Australian No. 4 who was born in Klerksdorp which is around 50 km from the Senwes Park, Potchefstroom (venue for the third ODI) had the perfect homecoming as he got his maiden ODI ton and it was his 108 which helped Australia post a total of 254.

He walked out to bat when Australia were in trouble. After losing David Warner early, Smith failed to convert his start as he was out for 20 to leave the Aussies at 43/2 in the 12th over. That soon turned into 55/3 as skipper Aaron Finch departed for 22. Hence, it was Labuschagne who took the responsibility and batted really well. He forged 81-run and 63-run partnerships with D’Arcy Short and Mitchell Marsh respectively as he resurrected the innings along with the two all-rounders.

He batted well towards the death overs as well as he got some quick runs and got to his 100 off 100 balls before eventually being dismissed in the final over for 108. Jhye Richardson’s unbeaten 24 in the end also took some pressure off Labuschagne. Anrich Nortje and JJ Smuts were the chief wicket-takers as both of them returned with two wickets apiece.

South Africa’s middle-order stands up and gets the team home

Chasing 255, South Africa got off to a good start as Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan got a flurry of boundaries. However, Josh Hazlewood got rid of the openers in successive overs to leave the hosts at 54/2. However, Smuts was joined by Kyle Verreynne in the 11th over and the duo scored 96 runs for the third wicket. Both batsmen struck fifties before the latter was dismissed by Zampa.

However, it didn’t really make a difference as Heinrich Klaasen walked in and continued his brilliant form. He scored a half-century too and shared a 79-run stand with Smuts who fell 16 runs short of a maiden ton. Klaasen remained unbeaten on 68 and took the team home as South Africa clean swept the series 3-0.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

I guess .. mitchell Johnson can now hold his laugh after seeing the kangaroos getting roasted by the proteas ! Heh #Karma #SAvAUS

— krZ18 (@_kannan) March 8, 2020

Australia last 12 ODIs

vs South Africa
Won – 1
Lost – 11

vs India
Won – 5
Lost – 7

vs Pakistan
Won – 11
Lost – 1#Fantastic#SAvAUS

— Dr.இண்டியானா ஜோன்ஸ் (@dhonitamil28) March 8, 2020

How good was this batting line up as a whole! The current so called full strength team can't even beat the worst South African side in history! #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/UtCIAogUHS

— Anirudh (@Mezzala144) March 8, 2020

White wash by South Africa #ProteaFire @OfficialCSA#SAvAUS

— Bunny (@Bunny_Maheshfan) March 7, 2020

Labuschane will have a long career in international cricket, 2-3 more years and he will be a permanent part of @CricketAus circuit. #AUSvsSA #AUSvSA #SAvAUS

— Ayush Rungta🇮🇳 (@Ayushrungta22) March 7, 2020

Most Player of the Match awards for South Africa in International #Cricket in 2020:

2 – Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi
1 – Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, #JJSmuts*#SAvAUS #AUSvSA

— CricApp (@TheCricApp) March 7, 2020

All of a sudden, #Proteas look like they're spoilt for choices.

Aiden Markram
Reeza Hendricks
Janneman Malan
Kyle Verreynne
Heinrich Klaasen

Still not convinced with JJ Smuts. He batted well today though. #RSAvAUS #SAvAUS #ProteaFire

— PK (@iPkoppula) March 7, 2020

Well done to Quinny, Boucher and all the players & everyone in the backroom staff for a splendid ODI series victory against Australia. #SAvAUS

Have a safe trip to India tomorrow for #INDvSA, you know we'll be supporting you all in the next series

Go #ProteaFire!

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 7, 2020

Surely there is better all rounder’s in Oz than Mitchell Marsh #SAvAUS

— Neil Young (@youngy289) March 7, 2020

#SAvAUS nicely played South Africa, you did yourselves proud congrats. Bit gutted our guys lost but still super proud of them all, played like a group united and supported each other like a great team does. Congrats again SA..and ❤ our Aussie cricket team 100%.💚💛❤❤💛💚

— Julia423 (@Julia423PC) March 7, 2020

So that was South Africa's fourth consecutive win against Australia since the World Cup win which Put India on Top after 9 league games #SAvAUS

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) March 7, 2020

CONGRATULATIONS to @OfficialCSA @markb46 @QuinnyDeKock69 all the players and support staff…👏🏻🏏 Proper series with proper results… Some new names putting their hands up which was great to see 💪🏻🏏 May this momentum and performances continue for you guys… #SAvAUS 🙏🏻🏏

— Dave Nosworthy (@DONCRICKET) March 7, 2020