Bavuma 114*, remainder of SA mixed 88 as Hazlewood, Stoinis sparkle
South Africa 222 (Bavuma 114*, Hazlewood 3-41) vs Australia
Temba Bavuma scored his third ODI hundred in six matches this 12 months and his second successive century in Bloemfontein as he stood man alone towards a disciplined Australian assault. Bavuma was dropped on 2 and 88, scored solely 30 runs off the primary 50 balls, had just one companion who stayed with him for longer than 10 overs – Marco Jansen – as South Africa slipped to 185 for 9. But he dragged them over 220 and notched up a fifth century within the format for himself.
Australia’s seamers saved South Africa beneath stress for the majority of the innings and defied Bloemfontein’s fame for being a street. That may be as a result of an ODI has by no means been held within the metropolis this early earlier than and with winter temperatures nonetheless very a lot within the air, regardless of what the blue skies might counsel, the floor was gradual and had proof of variable bounce.
Marcus Stoinis – who was opening the bowling for the third time in his ODI profession – and Josh Hazlewood discovered excellent lengths upfront and had been nicely backed up by Sean Abbott and the spinners. Only Cameron Green’s 5 overs had been pricey earlier than South Africa’s last 5 overs, which went for 37.
South Africa’s begin was gradual, with solely 25 runs within the powerplay – the bottom at this venue – and the lack of Quinton de Kock. After struggling to 11 off 30 balls, he took on a Stoinis’ quick ball and hooked it to Green at advantageous leg. Bavuma was on 2 when edged Abbott’s first ball to level however Ashton Agar went for the catch with one hand and put it down.
Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen confirmed some urgency after they snuck a single off a Bavuma inside-edge and van der Dussen chanced Alex Carey’s arm. But an over later, their recklessness value them. Van der Dussen hit Abbott straight to mid-off and hesitated earlier than deciding on the run. While van der Dussen made up his thoughts, Bavuma circled and was ball-watching whereas van der Dussen motored in direction of his finish. By the time van der Dussen turned again, the ball was on its method to Carey who broke the stumps to search out him nicely wanting his floor. Van der Dussen sank to his knees and stayed there for a number of minutes, in disbelief.
Aiden Markram appeared extra composed and managed two signature cowl drives earlier than he top-edged Green miles into the intense blue sky. A sunglass-less Carey judged the catch nicely to finish what was then South Africa’s finest partnership – 37 – and go away South Africa 66 for 3.
Heinrich Klaasen didn’t have an excessive amount of alternative to money in on his type from the MLC and Hundred when he was bowled by a Stoinis supply that saved low and took out his offstump and David Miller nicked off second ball to open up the decrease order with solely 100 on the board.
Jansen is the one real allrounder in South Africa’s World Cup squad and he confirmed why he deserves that tag. His third scoring shot was off a full, vast ball and he flayed it by way of over cowl level. He hit the primary six of the innings, within the thirty second over, when he despatched a pacy Green ball again over his head. He continued because the aggressor in his 57-run partnership with Bavuma and appeared in management till he performed a Hazlewood supply onto his stumps.
Three overs later, Gerald Coetzee top-edged a sweep to quick advantageous and two overs after that, Keshav Maharaj stayed again to an Abbott supply that saved low and was bowled. Kagiso Rabada edged a Zampa supply that slid throughout him leaving Lungi Ngidi to bat 6.4 overs with Bavuma. Ngidi was given out lbw to the primary ball he confronted however reviewed efficiently and survived the over, which left Bavuma to face Abbott. He took two fours and a single off the forty fifth to maintain strike and refused runs off the following Zampa over as he selected to get them himself at the same time as he battled cramp. Midway by way of the over, he slog swept Zampa straight up however Carey couldn’t maintain on.
That gave Bavuma a licence to go huge however he gave Ngidi three balls to face in a Hazlewood over earlier than latching onto Zampa. Bavuma hit Zampa over after which by way of mid-wicket to convey up a valiant century. He took three extra boundaries off Hazlewood’s final over and left Ngidi a ball to face however the No.11 nicked off as South Africa had been bowled out with an over to spare.