Miller and Bavuma lead South Africa to a win in 2nd cricket ODI and a series victory over Australia

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — David Miller and Temba Bavuma posted centuries for South Africa in a 32-run win in the second cricket ODI on Sunday that clinched the series and saw Australia once again exposed against spinners.

Miller hit a belligerent 142 runs off 93 balls to notch his eighth ODI hundred and Bavuma scored 103, his sixth century in the 50-over ODI format, as South Africa reached 365-9.

Australia’s Jack Edwards, playing in only his second ODI, took 5-67 and Josh Hazlewood, who dismissed Aiden Markram off the first ball for a golden duck, took 3-70, also in 10 overs.

Australia, which preferred to chase for the second straight game after winning the toss, fell short in the run chase and was 333 all out in the final over.

Sunday’s game marked the annual Pink Day fixture, which raises money for cancer research and treatment. Miller wore the name of his mother Jenny, a breast cancer survivor, on the back of his jersey.

Australia, a six-time World Cup champion in the format, hasn’t won any of the six bilateral ODI series against South Africa since 2014. The Australians will be aiming for a consolation win in the last game on Wednesday.

“Another good allround team performance,” Bavuma said. “Unbelievable innings by David and then the bowlers as well … there was a lot more spin than was expected. The way the spin complemented our attack it was great.”

Australia wastes a good start

Just like in the Durban opener, where Australia lost by 67 runs, the visitors squandered a rollicking start to the chase by captain Mitchell Marsh (84) and Travis Head (84) .

The pair combined in a 130-run opening stand in 17 overs before Australia struggled against Keshav Maharaj (2-54) and Markram (1-55) with captain Bavuma fully utilizing the 30 overs of spin option.

Maharaj trapped Alex Carey for 17 and Matt Renshaw for 32 – both lbw dismissals — and Cameron Green fell for 17 while attempting a big hit against Bjorn Fortuin.

“Really disappointing,” Marsh said. “Fair play to South Africa. I thought they played really well, outplayed us again. We haven’t been able to execute in those middle phases which is a great learning curve for our players.”

Xavier Bartlett (50 off 28) gave a late counterpunch to reduce the margin of defeat and damage the figures of third spinner Fortuin (2-70), who conceded 19 runs in his last over.

Miller and Bavuma set up big total

Miller smashed 12 fours and nine sixes while Bavuma struck 10 fours and two sixes.

Hazlewood’s twin strikes left South Africa at 36-2 in seven overs before Matthew Breetzke (34) and Bavuma shared a 57-run stand.

But it was the 156-run partnership between Bavuma and Miller which changed the course of South Africa innings.

Australia went into the game without Josh Inglis, ruled out of the series with a fractured finger, and then lost strike bowler Nathan Ellis, who had to leave the field after bowling just four overs due to side strain.

Inglis and Ellis had key roles in Australia’s series sweep over Zimbabwe earlier this month.

___

See AP’s full cricket coverage here