Miller makes most of escape
A SUBLIME Shaun Marsh century was not enough to lift Australia to an ODI series victory against South Africa in Hobart in a contest marred by another DRS controversy.
South African star David Miller clubbed his own scintillating ton and shared a record breaking stand with captain Faf du Plessis to propel the Proteas to 5-320 at Blundstone Arena, a total which proved 40 too many for the hosts despite the heroics of Marsh.
However Miller benefited from arguably a series defining decision in the last over before the second drinks break.
The powerful left hander, on just 41 at the time with the visitors 3-133 and going along at a modest four runs an over, was given out LBW to a Glenn Maxwell delivery which was fired in quick and flat from around the wicket.
Miller and du Plessis deliberated for 19 seconds — players are only allowed a maximum of 15 to decide whether to challenge a decision — before the captain somewhat reluctantly made the call to review instead of his partner. The decision appeared very adjacent to the naked eye, however Hawkeye’s ball tracking showed the delivery bouncing over the top of leg stump _ much to the surprise of many commentators.He made full use of his reprieve, combining with his skipper for a mammoth stand after the side had slipped to 3-55.
South Africa piled on 130 runs in the last 10 overs and 174 from the last 15 in the most perfect of counterattacks.
A reshuffle of Australia’s batting order saw Chris Lynn promoted to opener but the experiment lasted just one legal delivery when he was caught behind for a golden duck.
Aaron Finch and Travis Head perished softly as the home side slumped to 3-39, before Marsh (106) and Marcus Stoinis (63) breathed life back into the chase with a 107-run stand. With Marsh at the crease, Australia held slim hopes of pulling off a miracle but shortly after bringing up three figures he skied Dwaine Pretorius to deep mid wicket, and even with the destructive Maxwell striding to the crease, the required run rate proved to be too great.