Australia put on a batting masterclass in the third ODI against South Africa at Mackay, finishing at 431/2. Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh blasted centuries in a record-breaking 250-run opening stand, while Cameron Green’s explosive unbeaten 118 off 55 balls sealed Australia’s second-highest total in ODI history.
Head & Marsh Lead the Charge
Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh gave Australia the perfect start. They hammered the South African bowlers all around the park. Head scored 142 runs off 103 balls. Marsh followed with 100 off 106 balls.
The duo added 250 runs for the first wicket, just 34 runs short of Australia’s all-time opening partnership record. It is the fifth-highest opening stand for the team in ODIs. For the first time in years, the record did not include David Warner. In 2017, Warner and Head put up 284 runs for the first wicket against Pakistan in Adelaide.
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Head also reached a personal milestone by completing 8000 international runs. His career tally now stands at 8024 runs in 177 matches with 12 hundreds and 42 fifties. Marsh crossed the 3000-run mark in ODIs during his innings.
Cameron Green’s Explosive Finish
After Head and Marsh departed, Cameron Green turned the match into a spectacle. He smashed the second-fastest ODI century by an Australian, reaching the mark in just 47 balls. Only Glenn Maxwell has done it faster, with a 40-ball ton against the Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup.
Green remained unbeaten on 118 runs off just 55 balls. His innings included six fours and eight towering sixes. Alongside wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who also batted strongly, Green added 164 runs for the third wicket.
Australia’s Second-Highest ODI Total
The fireworks helped Australia post a massive 431/2. This score is their second-highest in ODI history. Only once before have they crossed this mark.
South Africa now faces a huge challenge. With the home side leading the three-match series, the Proteas will need extraordinary batting to deny Australia and secure a clean sweep.
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