South Africa secured a 32-run victory over Australia in the second ODI at Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, September 27, to clinch the series with one match remaining. The hosts posted 365 for 9 in their 50 overs and restricted Australia to 333, extending their record to a sixth successive bilateral series win over the opposition.
Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain, reflected on the team’s performance after the match. The captain brought up a hundred of his own, his first in ODIs at his home venue, scoring 103 off 116 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. David Miller, however, hogged the limelight for his whirlwind knock of 142 runs in 92 balls.
“I think another good team performance. It started a bit tricky up front, but we managed to handle that challenge and get ourselves to that total. It was unbelievable, and we were inspired by David,” Bavuma said.
Miller’s match-winning innings and partnership with Bavuma
David Miller struck a career-best 142 in the innings, sharing a 156-run fourth-wicket partnership with Temba Bavuma that proved decisive in building South Africa’s total. Miller’s performance was particularly notable as each player wore shirts emblazoned with the name of a fighter or survivor of cancer as part of the Pink Day initiative.
Bavuma acknowledged the team’s bowling effort in restricting Australia despite the hosts’ strong batting display. The captain noted that spin played a key role in Australia’s collapse, with Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin complementing the bowling attack effectively.
“They held their nerve in the first 10 [overs]. We knew they were going to put us under pressure, but we understood a couple of wickets would put them on the back foot. So, another overall team performance,” Bavuma said.
Jack Edwards claimed his first five-wicket haul in List A cricket, a rare silver lining for the tourists on Sunday. The Pink Day fixture, now in its 14th edition, saw South Africa record their 10th victory in the annual event.
“It’s fantastic. The guys in the changing room were talking about the cheers everyone was getting. It’s always an event we look forward to, playing for a good cause. And we seem to play quite decently in the pink clothing as well,” Bavuma said.
