Australia defeated South Africa by 45 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the rain-affected third One Day International (ODI). The match took place at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 30 September 2026. Half-centuries from Alex Carey and captain Mitchell Marsh drove Australia to 322 for nine in 50 overs.
Xavier Bartlett and Adam Zampa took two wickets each to restrict South Africa to 145 for four in 28 overs before heavy rain stopped play. Australia secured consolation victory and stopped South Africa from completing a 3-0 series sweep. South Africa secured the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two ODIs in Durban and Johannesburg.
Marsh and Head Provide Fast Start
South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl. Captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head gave Australia a 78-run opening stand in 8.4 overs at a rate of nine runs per over. Marsh reached his half-century off 33 deliveries and scored 56 runs off 42 balls with seven fours and one six.
Head added 24 runs off 20 balls before chopping a delivery from fast bowler Corbin Bosch onto his stumps. Bjorn Fortuin then trapped Marsh leg-before-wicket in the 14th over. Gerald Coetzee bowled Cooper Connolly for 23 runs with a yorker, leaving Australia at 118 for three in 17 overs.
SUGGESTED READ: Wilson, Learoyd, Knott fifties power Australia A’s successful chase against India
Carey and Peake Build Strong Total
Alex Carey and 20-year-old Oliver Peake scored a 73-run partnership off 88 balls for the fourth wicket. Peake scored 48 runs off 53 deliveries. Carey recorded his first international half-century in 17 ODI and Test innings. He brought up his fifty off 68 balls and top-scored with 74 runs off 88 deliveries.
Matthew Renshaw contributed 30 runs and shared a 66-run stand with Carey. Australia completed their 50 overs on 322 for nine. Bosch led the South African attack with four wickets for 60 runs from nine overs.
Early Wickets Put South Africa Under Pressure
South Africa needed a record venue chase of 323 runs to win. Australia’s Xavier Bartlett struck twice during his opening spell under the floodlights. Bartlett dismissed opener Quinton de Kock for a duck. Bartlett then bowled out stand-in captain Aiden Markram leg-before-wicket for 15 runs.
South Africa made four changes to their lineup, resting regular captain Temba Bavuma and spinner Keshav Maharaj. Maharaj was named Player of the Series for his exceptional contribution with the ball. Opener Ryan Rickelton reached his half-century off 48 balls and finished on an unbeaten 71 runs off 81 deliveries.
ALSO READ: South Africa Beat Zimbabwe by 48 Runs to Win Namibia T20I Tri-Series
Zampa Strikes in Middle Overs Before Rain Ends Play
Adam Zampa removed Matthew Breetzke for 25 runs after Carey stumped Breetzke off a dipping legbreak. Two overs later, Zampa bowled out Tristan Stubbs for 14 runs. Zampa finished with two wickets for 34 from six overs, while Bartlett took two for 25 from five overs. Pat Cummins conceded 17 runs in five tight overs without taking a wicket.
Rickelton and Bosch added 20 runs for the fifth wicket to take South Africa to 145 for four in 28 overs. Heavy rain set in at 8:30 pm local time and forced players from the field. The weather prevented any further play, and match officials declared Australia the winners by 45 runs because South Africa remained behind the required DLS target score.
For more Sports news, updates, and match highlights, follow JeetWin Sports
