SA Defeat AUS by 84 Runs to Take 2-0 Lead in ODI Series
In a dominant display of cricket, South Africa defeated Australia by a convincing margin of 84 runs in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The match was played at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, which hosted its first men’s ODI in 33 years.
The Proteas, led by Quinton de Kock, posted a competitive total of 258 runs in 49.2 overs after being put into bat first. In response, the Australian team could only manage 174 runs in 39 overs, with Lungi Ngidi being the star of the show with a five-wicket haul in just 8.4 overs.
The South African team got off to a decent start, with openers Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks putting on 44 runs for the first wicket. However, the Australian bowling attack, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, soon got into the act, and the Proteas were reduced to 74/3 in the 15th over.
But a 64-run partnership between Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen helped South Africa recover from the initial setback. De Kock top-scored with 64 runs, while van der Dussen contributed 42 runs. The duo’s partnership helped the Proteas post a respectable total of 258 runs.
In response, the Australian team got off to a poor start, losing the first wicket with just 12 runs on the board. The pressure was further piled on when Lungi Ngidi dismissed the Australian captain, Aaron Finch, in the eighth over. Finch’s wicket was followed by the fall of David Warner and Steve Smith, leaving Australia reeling at 73/4.
Ngidi continued to wreak havoc, dismissing Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey in quick succession. The Australian tailenders were unable to put up much of a fight, and the team was eventually bowled out for 174 runs in 39 overs.
Ngidi’s five-wicket haul, which included the wickets of Finch, Warner, Smith, Maxwell, and Carey, was the highlight of the match. His impressive spell of 8.4 overs, 5/29, helped South Africa take a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Proteas’ bowling attack, led by Ngidi, was impressive throughout the match. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje also chipped in with two wickets each, while Tabraiz Shamsi picked up one wicket.
With this win, South Africa has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third and final ODI will be played on Sunday at the same venue.
Match Highlights:
- South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first
- The Proteas posted a total of 258 runs in 49.2 overs
- Lungi Ngidi took a five-wicket haul, including the wickets of Finch, Warner, Smith, Maxwell, and Carey
- Ngidi’s spell of 8.4 overs, 5/29, was the highlight of the match
- Australia was bowled out for 174 runs in 39 overs
- The Proteas took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series
