Durban: South African David Miller (118 n o, 79b, 10×4, 6×6) played a blitzkrieg of an innings batting at No. 6 to help South Africa win the third ODI against Australia by four wickets here Wednesday evening. On his home ground, Miller played a gem to ensure the second-highest successful ODI run chase and also gave the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match series. South Africa made 372-6, overtaking Australia’s 371-6 with four balls of the last over to spare.
Miller’s third ODI ton – surely his best, gave the Proteas their first ODI series win over Australia in seven years. He did it while hobbling with a groin injury for much of the latter part of his innings. “It’s a special one,” Miller said of his match-winning knock. “You don’t get those ones too often.”
Miller and South Africa completely overshadowed an impressive batting effort from top-ranked Australia after the tourists, desperate to stay alive in the series, opted to bat first.
Opener David Warner made 117 (107b, 13×4, 2×6), captain Steve Smith added 108 (107b, 9×4, 1×6) and Australia posted the highest ODI total at Kingsmead. That record lasted just a few hours.
South Africa’s victory revived memories of the game between the two countries in 2006, when Australia made 434 and South Africa chased that down for what’s still by some way the highest run chase to win an ODI.
“We posted 370, which is a pretty good score,” Smith said. “You don’t lose too many games scoring 370. We’ve just got to keep learning and trying to find a way to win.”
Facing an imposing target, openers Quinton de Kock (70, 49b, 6×4, 2×6) and Hashim Amla (45) gave South Africa their early momentum, but the home team was teetering having lost six wickets when Miller took control.
The big-hitting left-hander had crucial support from Andile Phehlukwayo (42 n o, 4×4, 2×6), the fast bowler playing just his fourth ODI. The two put on an unbroken stand of 107 runs in 71 balls to see the hosts home.
Phehlukwayo got away with one when he appeared to edge behind early in his knock. Umpire Adrian Holdstock said not out and Australia didn’t have any decision referrals left.
Miller crunched a four to backward square leg to get to his century, and Phehlukwayo attacked anything he could. He hit a looping reverse sweep to win the game and the series, causing raucous celebrations in the South African dressing room.
“I would rank that up there as the best win I’ve been involved in,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said.
Brief scores: Australia 371 for six( David Warner 117, Steve Smith 108; Imran Tahir 2/54) lost to South Africa 372 for six in 49.2 overs (David Miller 118 n o, Quinton de Kock 70) by four wickets.
Reuters