An understaffed Australian outfit has suffered a 3-2 series loss to the Proteas in South Africa, with the hosts winning three consecutive matches to pull off a historic comeback.
Marco Jansen’s all-round masterclass steered South Africa towards a comprehensive 122-run victory in the series finale, with the 209cm all-rounder taking a maiden ODI five-wicket haul at Wanderers on Sunday.
The Australians were without Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc for the white-ball tour, but the quartet is expected to return ahead of next week’s ODI series in India.
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Aussies suffer ANOTHER batting collapse | 01:50
DAVID WARNER — 8
206 runs at 41.20
Warner started the series with a second-ball duck, but hardly put a foot wrong from there on.
The veteran’s classy century in Bloemfontein cemented his place as Australia’s opener for the upcoming World Cup, backing it up with a speedy fifty in Potchefstroom.
However, Warner finished the series with scores of 12 and 10, chipping lazily to point on both occasions.
Shoe malfunction costs Warner his wicket | 01:24
TRAVIS HEAD — 8
152 runs at 50.66
Head got Australia off to a flying start in the first three ODIs, taking advantage of the Powerplay’s fielding restrictions and boasting an absurd series strike rate of 153.53.
The South Australian only needed 25 balls to reach his half-century in Bloemfontein, contributing a couple of handy wickets in Potchefstroom.
However, Head’s World Cup dream is in jeopardy after the left-hander fractured his wrist at Centurion, forced to retire hurt.
Travis Head SMASHES fast 50 | 00:37
MITCHELL MARSH — 4
123 runs at 24.60
Marsh couldn’t convert his blistering T20 form into the ODI series, with the stand-in captain registering one score of note across the five-match campaign.
However, the West Australian’s entertaining blitz in Johannesburg all but ensured he’ll open the batting in next month’s World Cup if Travis Head is unavailable due to injury.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE — 9
283 runs at 70.75
It’s incredible to think that Labuschagne wasn’t originally in this squad.
The Queenslander was at the peak of his powers after slotting into Australia’s starting XI as a concussion substitute during the series opener, scoring a match-saving 80 not out and a brutal 124 in Bloemfontein.
He finished the tour as the leading run-scorer, giving national selectors plenty to ponder ahead of the World Cup.
Marnus & Warner smash tons in big win | 03:20
JOSH INGLIS — 3
51 runs at 17.00
Inglis scored his maiden international half-century during the second ODI in Bloemfontein, but otherwise it was a fairly forgettable tour for the West Australian.
The 28-year-old was named as Australia’s reserve batter in the provisional World Cup squad, but Sunday’s duck at Wanderers has opened the door for Marnus Labuschagne to snatch the potential vacancy left by Travis Head.
ALEX CAREY — 4
122 runs at 24.40, five catches
Carey was bitterly unlucky not to register his second ODI century at Centurion, falling one run short of triple figures on Friday.
However, the South Australian otherwise contributed little with the bat against the Proteas, also spilling a regulation chance during the series opener in Bloemfontein.
MARCUS STOINIS — 3
45 runs at 15.00, four wickets at 39.75
Stoinis had proven himself an effective new-ball option for the Australians, taking two early wickets during the series opener at Mangaung Oval.
However, the West Australian’s lack of runs remains a glaring concern ahead of the World Cup. Stoinis didn’t reach 20 in three knocks against the Proteas, with his previous ODI half-century coming way back in March 2019.
CAMERON GREEN — 4
18 runs at 18.00, two wickets at 45.50
Green’s South Africa tour was unfortunately headlined by a concussion scare in the series opener, leaving him on the sidelines for the following three ODIs.
The West Australian had one proper chance to push his case for World Cup selection, but could only manage 18 in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Sickening blow forces Green off-field | 01:41
TIM DAVID — 2
45 runs at 11.25, one wicket at 20.00
David may have played his last ODI.
The West Australian was parachuted into Australia’s ODI squad at the eleventh hour, but the gamble backfired dramatically in South Africa.
However, David now holds the honour of being the only Australian make to take a wicket on his first delivery in ODIs.
David done dirty by 3rd umpire’s call? | 01:50
AARON HARDIE — 5
Three runs at 3.00, two wickets at 31.00
Hardie was dismissed cheaply while slogging at the death during his ODI debut in Bloemfontein, but contributed a couple of middle-order wickets in the run chase.
There’s no doubt we’ll be seeing the West Australian in canary yellow for many years to come.
ASHTON AGAR — 7
One wicket at 40.00, 48 runs at N/A
Agar only made one appearance during the white-ball tour, but he sure made it count.
The West Australian peeled off a career-best 48 not out during the series opener in Bloemfontein, combining with concussion substitute Marnus Labuschagne for a match-winning partnership.
However, he departed South Africa early for the birth of his first child.
SEAN ABBOTT — 7
Five wickets at 35.00
Abbott rarely took the new ball in South Africa, instead occupying the middle overs with his reliable line and length.
He didn’t finish the tour with a bag of wickets, but his economy rate of 5.86 was comfortably the lowest among Australia’s seamers.
The New South Welshman, named in Australia’s World Cup squad, also held onto a stunning one-handed catch on the boundary rope in Potchefstroom.
Abbott’s one-handed pluck beggars belief | 01:44
TANVEER SANGHA — 5
One wicket at 64.00
Sangha leaked eight runs per over during his ODI debut, but the young leg-spinner was bitterly unlucky not to finish with more wickets in Potchefstroom.
The 21-year-old looms as Adam Zampa’s long-term replacement in the national white-ball sides.
Australia FINALLY get a breakthrough | 00:32
ADAM ZAMPA — 7
Eight wickets at 34.25
Zampa finished the series as Australia’s leading wicket-taker, but unfortunately his tour of South Africa will be remembered for one performance.
The leg-spinner leaked 113 runs during the fourth match at Centurion, equalling the worst bowling figures in men’s ODI history.
However, Zampa was comfortably Australia’s best bowler during the second ODI in Bloemfontein and the series finale at Wanderers, and he remains a crucial figure ahead of the World Cup in India.
Zampa responds after historic smashing | 00:37
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 6
Five wickets at 38.80
The Bendemeer Bullet, rotated throughout the series to manage his workloads, picked up a three-wicket haul during first ODI in Bloemfontein, relentlessly targeting a good length.
However, the world’s No. 1 bower copped a hiding during Friday’s ODI at Centurion, finishing with the most expensive figures of his 50-over international career.
NATHAN ELLIS — 5
Five wickets at 45.80
Ellis produced a crafty spell during the second ODI in Bloemfontein, snaring 2-32 from eight overs to help the Australians take a 2-0 lead in the series.
However, the Tasmanian‘s death bowling, typically his bread and butter in white-ball cricket, was tested during the final two matches at Centurion and Wanderers, where he proved expensive.
