Australia secured a consolation victory over South Africa in the third ODI at Potchefstroom, winning by 45 runs via the DLS method after rain brought the contest to an early end. Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh provided the foundation with half-centuries as Australia posted 322/9 after being asked to bat first.
South Africa were well behind the required rate when persistent rain ended the game, reaching 145/4 after 28 overs in their chase of 323. Ryan Rickelton kept the hosts in the contest with an unbeaten 71, but Adam Zampa’s two wickets had already put Australia in control before the weather intervened.
Mitchell Marsh sets the tone before Alex Carey takes charge
Australia made a fast start with Marsh taking advantage of the powerplay. The all-rounder repeatedly targeted the leg side and raced past fifty before the end of the sixth over, having struck seven fours and a six. He eventually made 56 off 42 balls before Bjorn Fortuin trapped him and Travis Head fell for 24 after chopping Corbin Bosch onto his stumps, but Australia continued to build through the middle overs.
Carey joined the innings with the score at 118/3 and gradually increased the tempo after initially taking time to settle. The wicketkeeper-batter brought up his half-century from 68 balls and accelerated in the latter stages. He was eventually dismissed for 74 in the 46th over, cutting Bosch to short third. Bosch finished with 4/60, while Oliver Peake contributed 48 as Australia reached 322/9.
Also READ: Asian Games 2026: Pakistan beat Bangladesh in rain-shortened semi-final to reach Gold Medal match
Adam Zampa puts South Africa under pressure before rain ends the game
South Africa’s chase got off to a difficult start as Xavier Bartlett removed Quinton de Kock for a duck before trapping Aiden Markram for 15. Rickelton then took responsibility for the chase, bringing up his half-century from 48 balls while South Africa tried to keep pace with the target. Australia turned to spin during the middle overs, and Zampa soon made the breakthrough. He dismissed Matthew Breetzke for 25 with a dipping legbreak that brought the batter out of his crease.
Two overs later, Zampa struck again by trapping Tristan Stubbs for 14. South Africa were reduced to 125/4, leaving Rickelton andBosch with the difficult task of rebuilding the innings. The pair added 20 runs before persistent rain returned to Potchefstroom. With South Africa on 145/4 after 28 overs, play could not resume, and Australia were declared winners by 45 runs on the DLS method.
3rd ODI goes Australia’s way via the DLS method 🙌💯#SAvAUS #AustraliaCricketTeam pic.twitter.com/BfpYEDqyIA
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 1, 2026
Also READ: Chris Gayle reveals the toughest T20 bowler he faced during his career
