KMagED
The Proteas Kricket team bounced back from their disappointing defeat in the first ODI to claim a convincing six-wicket win over Australia in the second match at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday. The hosts chased down a modest target of 272 with 15 balls to spare, thanks to a brilliant century from opener Quinton de Kock and a solid partnership between David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen.
De Kock, who was named man of the match, scored 106 off 113 balls, hitting 11 fours and two sixes. He set the tone for the chase with a 91-run stand with Temba Bavuma, who made 49. De Kock reached his 16th ODI hundred in style, smashing a six over midwicket off Adam Zampa. He was eventually dismissed by Pat Cummins, but not before he had put his team in a commanding position.
PROTEAS STILL IN THE SERIES 🇿🇦
JB Marks Oval is buzzing after a massive victory for the Proteas 🇿🇦inspired by Aiden Markram’s and Gerald Coetzee’s 4 wickets 😅#SAvAus #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/MHFLeqDgx1
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 12, 2023
Miller and Klaasen then took over the responsibility of finishing the job, adding 86 runs for the fifth wicket. Miller was unbeaten on 64 off 70 balls, while Klaasen scored 51 off 52 balls. The duo kept the Australian bowlers at bay with some sensible batting and occasional boundaries. They sealed the victory with a four and a six off Mitchell Starc in the 48th over.
Earlier, Australia had posted a below-par total of 271 for six after opting to bat first. The visitors got off to a good start, with David Warner and Aaron Finch putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. However, they lost momentum after Warner was run out for 35 by a direct hit from Lungi Ngidi. Finch followed soon after, caught behind off Anrich Nortje for 22.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then steadied the innings with a 77-run partnership, but they could not accelerate the scoring rate. Smith was caught at long-on off Tabraiz Shamsi for 39, while Labuschagne was bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo for 41. D’Arcy Short, who replaced the injured Glenn Maxwell in the playing XI, chipped in with 36 off 43 balls, but he too fell to Shamsi.
The only bright spot for Australia was the late cameo from Alex Carey, who smashed an unbeaten 68 off 55 balls. He hit seven fours and two sixes, and added 58 runs for the seventh wicket with Starc, who made 14 not out. Carey reached his half-century in the final over of the innings, hitting Ngidi for two fours and a six.
Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, taking three for 41 in his 10 overs. Nortje, Phehlukwayo and Shamsi took one wicket each.
The series is now level at one-all, with the decider to be played at Potchefstroom on Wednesday. The Proteas will be hoping to carry their momentum and clinch their first home series win against Australia since 2009.
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