Record stand seals game and series
A RECORD partnership between South African centurions Faf du Plessis and David Miller set up a 40-run win over Australia in Hobart, clinching the one-day international series.
The Proteas’ mammoth 5-320 proved out of reach for Australia last night despite a determined 109 from veteran Shaun Marsh.
Marsh restored the Australian innings in a 107-run stand with allrounder Marcus Stoinis (63) after Australia were left wobbling at 3-39 in the 11th over. But when he fell in the 42nd over, his side’s chances virtually went with him. Alex Carey and Glen Maxwell tried to launch late blows but didn’t connect often enough as Australia finished on 9-280.
Dale Steyn finished with 3-45, while Kagiso Rabada also picked up three wickets. After being sent in to bat, du Plessis (125) and Miller (139) put on a 252-run stand – the biggest ODI partnership against Australia.
The pair came together at 3-55 and steadied the South African innings before feasting late on Australia’s seamers.
They weren’t without their luck, though. Carey dropped du Plessis on 29 off Maxwell in what should have been a regulation caught behind.
Maxwell had a second moment of frustration in the 33rd over when he appeared to have trapped Miller in front for 41.
But a review, called for at the last moment by the batsmen, showed the ball narrowly travelling over the stumps.
Mitchell Starc finished with 2-57, while Stoinis nabbed two wickets but went for 70 off seven overs.
South Africa smashed 130 off the final 10 overs, and 75 off the last five.
Their chase started disastrously, losing Chris Lynn to a first-ball duck before Aaron Finch (11) and Travis Head (six) joined him. South Africa took the series 2-1.