David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne blasted hundreds as Australia cruised towards a crushing 123-run victory over South Africa in Saturday’s second ODI in Bloemfontein.
The tourists took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after Warner (106 from 93 balls) and Labuschagne (124 from 99 balls) punished South Africa’s bowlers at Mangaung Oval, steering Australia towards its third’s highest team total in ODI history.
The duo combined for a 151-run partnership for the third wicket, receiving support from opener Travis Head (64 from 36 balls) and reserve wicketkeeper Josh Inglis (50 from 37 balls).
MATCH CENTRE: South Africa vs Australia scorecard, stats
South Africa fell comfortably short of the 393-run target, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa taking four crucial wickets throughout the run chase.
Warner’s century, his 20th in ODIs, cements his spot at the top of the order ahead of Australia’s World Cup campaign, while Labuschagne’s blistering form has given national selectors plenty of headaches ahead of the marquee tournament in India.
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Travis Head SMASHES fast 50 | 00:37
South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to field first in Bloemfontein, with Australians Tim David and Aaron Hardie handed their maiden ODI caps.
Head and Warner immediately went on the attack, scoring 102 runs during the Powerplay in a blistering assault. The South Australian raced towards his half-century in just 26 deliveries before Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi created the much-needed breakthrough in the 12th over, with Head miscuing a slog towards mid-on.
Australian captain Mitchell Marsh was knocked over the following delivery for a golden duck after attempting an audacious reverse sweep against Shamsi, dismissed LBW following a successful review from the South Africans.
Labuschagne steadied the ship with Warner in the middle, who brought up his fifty in 52 deliveries before accelerating in the middle overs. The veteran opener cracked 12 boundaries and three sixes before reaching his century, the second-fastest of his ODI career, in the 30th over, celebrating the milestone with a trademark Toyota leap.
Warner’s onslaught came to an abrupt end in the 33rd over when Proteas all-rounder knocked over the 36-year-old with a delivery that kept low and crashed into the stumps.
After a slow start, Inglis started to find the boundary rope with ease, forming an 83-run partnership with Labuschagne for the fourth wicket.
The Queenslander, later named player of the match, brought up his second ODI hundred in 80 deliveries, reaching the milestone with a gorgeous reverse sweep off tweaker Aiden Markram.
Inglis celebrated his maiden half-century in international cricket in the 43rd over but departed the very next delivery, picking out deep square leg to hand Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada his first wicket of the afternoon.
The right-hander’s dismissal sparked a brief collapse, with Australia losing 5-26 in a frantic 27-ball passage of play at the death.
Shamsi, who finished with 4-61, ended Labuschagne’s masterclass in the 46th over, with the 29-year-old cracking a slog-sweep towards the boundary rider at deep mid-wicket. Australia posted 8-392 from their 50 overs, falling agonisingly short of bettering the highest ODI team total at Mangaung Oval.
More to come…
