Agency :
After a string of defeats and unfavourable results, a 3-0 win for Quinton de Kock’s men would go a long way in helping them find their feet.
After a string of recent reversals, South Africa finally have a series win under their belt, and that too against a quality Australian side. It’s an important moment in the new era under Quinton de Kock. That they have achieved it without Kagiso Rabada and Faf du Plessis, two lynchpins of their one-day unit, must be especially pleasing.
Lungi Ngidi has stepped up ably in the absence of Rabada, snaring nine wickets, including a career-best 6/58, in two games. With the bat, they have found heroes in the form of Janneman Malan and Heinrich Klassen in the two games, but the return to form of veteran David Miller has also been welcome.
Australia, by contrast, haven’t had contributions of that sort of magnitude so far. Teams often do well despite lacking individual contributions of substantial size, but that takes a collective effort, which has been missing as well, with only one Australian – Cummins – in the top three among batsmen and bowlers.
The last time South Africa played Australia in an ODI series at home, they swept the opposition clean. One more win would not only mean that history repeats itself but also give a team on the slide much-needed rope as they seek to reinvent themselves.
Ngidi tore through Australia with a career-best six-for, as the visitors were bowled out for 271, despite half-centuries from Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short. Malan’s maiden one-day century, in just his second match, then set the tone for a comfortable chase.
South African batsman Janneman Malan said, I was happy to get past the first ball, but compliments to the bowling unit, and I had great partners in the chase.
Australian captain Aaron Finch said,We were 20-30 runs short with the bat, but South Africa played very well, changed the momentum of the game with some smart batting.
A nice, clear day awaits, with plenty of sun in Potchefstroom. Senwes Park has hosted only three ODIs over the last decade and all three have been won by the team batting second.
After a string of defeats and unfavourable results, a 3-0 win for Quinton de Kock’s men would go a long way in helping them find their feet.
After a string of recent reversals, South Africa finally have a series win under their belt, and that too against a quality Australian side. It’s an important moment in the new era under Quinton de Kock. That they have achieved it without Kagiso Rabada and Faf du Plessis, two lynchpins of their one-day unit, must be especially pleasing.
Lungi Ngidi has stepped up ably in the absence of Rabada, snaring nine wickets, including a career-best 6/58, in two games. With the bat, they have found heroes in the form of Janneman Malan and Heinrich Klassen in the two games, but the return to form of veteran David Miller has also been welcome.
Australia, by contrast, haven’t had contributions of that sort of magnitude so far. Teams often do well despite lacking individual contributions of substantial size, but that takes a collective effort, which has been missing as well, with only one Australian – Cummins – in the top three among batsmen and bowlers.
The last time South Africa played Australia in an ODI series at home, they swept the opposition clean. One more win would not only mean that history repeats itself but also give a team on the slide much-needed rope as they seek to reinvent themselves.
Ngidi tore through Australia with a career-best six-for, as the visitors were bowled out for 271, despite half-centuries from Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short. Malan’s maiden one-day century, in just his second match, then set the tone for a comfortable chase.
South African batsman Janneman Malan said, I was happy to get past the first ball, but compliments to the bowling unit, and I had great partners in the chase.
Australian captain Aaron Finch said,We were 20-30 runs short with the bat, but South Africa played very well, changed the momentum of the game with some smart batting.
A nice, clear day awaits, with plenty of sun in Potchefstroom. Senwes Park has hosted only three ODIs over the last decade and all three have been won by the team batting second.
