JOHANNESBURG : Centuries from Temba Bavuma and David Miller helped South Africa beat Australia by 32 runs in the second one-day international on Sunday and clinch the three-match series with a game to spare.
South Africa, sent in to bat, posted 365-9 in their 50 overs before bowling Australia out for 333 in 49.5 overs.
Bavuma scored 103 from 116 balls for his sixth ODI century, while Miller hit a career-best 142 from 93 balls, including nine sixes, for his eighth hundred.
Australia made a fast start in their reply as captain Mitch Marsh scored 84 from 53 balls and Travis Head 84 from 76, putting on 130 for the first wicket in 17 overs.
But Australia’s middle order struggled against South Africa’s spinners. Keshav Maharaj took 2-54, Bjorn Fortuin 2-70 and Aiden Markram 1-55, all from 10 overs.
Xavier Bartlett gave Australia hope with 50 from 28 balls, while Jack Edwards, playing only his second ODI, was South Africa’s most successful bowler with 5-67.
The result was South Africa’s 19th win in their last 25 ODI meetings with Australia.
“It’s really disappointing,” Marsh said. “We came here determined to level the series at 1-1 and take it into the final game but fair play to South Africa. I thought they played really well and outplayed us again.”
Bavuma praised the team’s performance with bat and ball, while Australia will seek to avoid a series whitewash in the final match in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
