Rain helps Australia deny South Africa whitewash

Australia salvaged a 45-run DLS victory in Potchefstroom after rain ended South Africa’s pursuit of 323, although the Proteas still claimed the ODI series 2-1.

Australia avoided a series whitewash with a rain-assisted victory over South Africa in the third and final ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

Chasing 323, South Africa were 145-4 after 28 overs when persistent rain brought the match to an early end. They were 45 runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern par score, handing Australia their first win of the series.

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Ryan Rickelton was unbeaten on 71 from 81 balls, but South Africa had struggled to keep pace with the required rate after losing Quinton de Kock and stand-in captain Aiden Markram cheaply.

De Kock fell for a duck to Xavier Bartlett before the Australian quick trapped Markram lbw for 15. Matthew Breetzke made 25 before being stumped off Adam Zampa, who then removed Tristan Stubbs for 14.

Rickelton held the innings together and shared a 54-run stand with Breetzke, but the required rate continued to climb as Australia applied pressure through Zampa, Bartlett and the returning Pat Cummins.

Corbin Bosch was unbeaten on 13 alongside Rickelton when the rain arrived. Tony de Zorzi did not bat after sustaining a hamstring injury while fielding.

Earlier, Alex Carey top-scored with 74 from 88 balls as Australia posted 322-9 after South Africa elected to bowl.

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Mitchell Marsh gave the visitors a fast start with 56 from 42 deliveries, striking eight fours and two sixes, before Bjorn Fortuin trapped him lbw. Travis Head made 24 before Bosch bowled him, while Gerald Coetzee removed Cooper Connolly for 23.

Carey then steadied the innings alongside Oliver Peake, who made 48, before adding another useful partnership with Matt Renshaw, who contributed 30.

Bosch led South Africa’s attack with 4-60 from nine overs, while Coetzee claimed 2-61.

South Africa had already secured the series after a 67-run victory in Durban and a 32-run win at the Wanderers, leaving them with a 2-1 series triumph despite falling short of the clean sweep.

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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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