(ESPNCRICINFO) – South Africa sealed a sixth successive bilateral series win over Australia and defended the fifth-highest total at the Wanderers in front of a festive pink-day crowd. The annual fixture, aimed at raising money for breast cancer awareness and treatment, is in its 14th edition and South Africa have now won 10 of those matches.
This year’s edition had an added touch, with each player swapping out their own name for that of a fighter or survivor of the disease. David Miller’s shirt bore his mother Jenny’s name, and he fittingly struck a career-best 142 to set South Africa up for a winning total.
Miller shared a 156-run fourth-wicket partnership with Temba Bavuma, who brought up a hundred of his own, his first in ODIs at his home venue. Australia’s only consolation was that Jack Edwards, playing in his second ODI, bagged the first five-for of his List A career but they left with more problems that may eclipse that achievement.
Nathan Ellis, who was Australia’s leading bowler against Zimbabwe, bowled just four overs before leaving the field with a side strain. Then, in the chase, South Africa’s three spinners, left-armers Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin and offspinner Aiden Markram took five wickets between them and collectively conceded at under six runs an over to further underline Australia’s issues against spin. Australia lost six wickets for 121 runs between the 17th and 40th over before a 61-run seventh wicket stand between Edwards and Xavier Bartlett got them close, but not close enough.
As they did in game one, Australia began the chase in commanding fashion. Mitch Marsh and Travis Head put on 130 for the first wicket, in 17 overs, and found a boundary an over. Between them, they scored 17 fours and Marsh hit five sixes as South Africa’s seamers struggled to keep things quiet.
Marco Jansen had a chance first up when Marsh bottom-edged him short of de Kock, but then struggled with his lengths from either end and Marsh plundered 14 runs off his fourth over. Lizaad Williams and Duan Jansen were both too full and South Africa were forced to spin early. Maharaj was brought on in the ninth over and the batters used the feet well against him to take 13 runs off his first over.