On Tuesday, September 12, South Africa went out to bat first and put a total on the scoreboard while competing at Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom. Quinton de Kock as well as Temba Bavuma, the openers, produced some lovely shots and built up a 146-run opening partnership in under 22.5 overs. Bavuma and de Kock took great advantage of the favourable batting conditions and attacked the Australian spinners. Bavuma was the first one to be dismissed after a valiant effort of 57.
The South African batsmen took full advantage of the Australian bowling as they were missing their first-choice spinners Adam Zampa as well as Ashton Agar. Reeza Hendricks along with Aiden Markram found themselves in the middle after de Kock and Bavuma were dismissed.
Markram and Hendricks continued the agony for the Australians. Hendricks missed a great opportunity to score a brilliant fifty because he had to make his way back to the pavilion shortly after being run out. After that, it was the Aiden Markram show as he amassed 102 runs from just 74 balls and took his side to an enormous total of 357 runs.
Australia start well but struggle to cope with spinners
The Mitchell Marsh-led team was unable to mount a comeback due to the gigantic task at hand as South Africa amassed a commanding total of 338 with the loss of only six wickets.
The Kangaroos also got off to a strong start but this time the South African bowlers were at the mercy of David Warner and Travis Head as they pieced up a 79-run partnership in only 7.5 overs. Head was eventually bowled by Sisanda Magala, giving the Bavuma-led team the crucial breakthrough.
Warner’s bad fate was that Keshav Maharaj ended his magnificent knock when he lost his shoe and was given out hit wicket. The sensational speed wonder Gerald Coetzee bagged a four-for to secure a 111-run win for the hosts as none of the other Australian players apart from the openers threatened to take the game to the hosts.
Two games remain in the series, which is at 2-1 and South Africa would be hoping to win the remaining games in order to mount a historic series comeback.
