Ball-by-Ball Commentary
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 01:16 am
That brings an end to our coverage tonight. Australia made a few changes to their playing XI, bringing back some of their key players, and the move paid off. They were clinical with the bat, while the experience in their bowling attack helped them make those crucial early breakthroughs. Despite the defeat today, South Africa will have plenty of positives to take from the three-match ODI series, which they win 2-1. Matthew Breetzke and David Miller made significant contributions with the bat, while Temba Bavuma also played his part. With the ball, it was the spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin who did much of the damage in the first two ODIs. Corbin Bosch was impressive today, producing an impactful spell, but unfortunately, his efforts came in a losing cause. We'll be back on October 9 for the first Test of the three-match series. Goodbye and good night, everyone!
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 01:14 am
Bavuma (2/2): [Now that you've won the series 2-1, where do you feel the ODI team is at now?] I definitely feel that we've made strides. I think it's cemented certain facts of truth that we knew. If I look at the batting, if I look at the bowling, guys potentially who could come in when we don't have our full strength from that department. I mean you still have guys like KG and Lungi who when they are fit, you know, definitely come in and strengthen the team. But we know that there are formidable guys who will be able to play some sort of a role. So I definitely feel that we've made strides. I think a lot of it is gaining momentum, overcoming whatever challenges that are in front of you and making sure that we're strengthening that belief as a group.
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 01:14 am
Temba Bavuma (1/2): [How would you have assessed today?] Look, it didn't go to plan in terms of the result. I think in terms of giving guys opportunity, prioritising obviously the Test series, that was something that was important for us. Good run through for the guys. A guy like Rickelton there with the bat getting some runs under his belt, so he'll take that confidence. Gerald Coetzee as well, good bowling effort. So I think from that point of view, guys just getting opportunity, I think it was good. Yeah, we'll take whatever confidence we can get from the performance. [How tough is it to find that balance within a series?] Yeah, I think, I mean, the luxury we had was that we managed to go 2 up in the series. So the series itself, that was looked after. So we had, I guess, that luxury of just using this game to give other guys opportunity, but also to rest other guys for potentially what will come in the next couple of weeks. I think the guys who come in as well, it's not a case of they're just filling in gaps. Obviously with the World Cup looming, you know a lot of the guys are looking to put up their hands and stake a claim for a place in the team. So it's never, I mean, we know we always call it a dead rubber, but it's never a dead rubber. There's always something that we're looking to achieve.
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 01:12 am
Mitchell Marsh: [How do you sum up today?] Yeah, obviously very pleased. Would have been nice to have had a full game. The weather gods had something to say about that. I thought the way we batted in particularly showed some real improvement, especially from a few of our young guys, which is always great to see. But yeah, disappointing series, but nice to finish with a win. [What was the chatter ahead of today's game to making those improvements?] Yeah, I think looking forward to the World Cup in, whatever, 12 months' time, it's gradual improvement. We do have some guys that haven't got a lot of experience at this level, and in particular playing in South Africa against a team that plays very well at home. So there'll always be some great learnings from that, and we look forward to taking them forward. [What have you taken from the captaincy and leading the side in the series against South Africa?] It's always a great challenge. I've got lots of great people around me within this role, and it's always a privilege to captain Australia. [How do you feel you're hitting the ball at the moment?] I feel good. It would have been nice to have got a couple of big scores for the team and really set something in those first couple of games, but yeah, any way I can contribute, it's always nice.
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 01:11 am
Keshav Maharaj | Player of the Series: [Tell us about your personal performance as leading that bowling attack] Yeah, it was really nice to obviously lead the attack, but I think credit must go to my teammates around me to allow me to bowl the way I could. But yeah, I've just been working really hard, and as a team it's most important for us to build up towards next year, which is an important year for us. [As a spinner in South Africa what do you feel is the most important thing?] I think, obviously, the lengths that we bowl in South Africa, there is a little bit of assistance, whether it be bounce or a little bit of turn. So it's just identifying that and trying to be as consistent as possible, but obviously doing the analysis work and understanding the batters and figuring out game plans accordingly. [In terms of conditions-wise, was there anything that sort of surprised you in the couple of games that you played?] Yeah, just probably more Wanderers. I think Durban, you kind of expect sometimes to be traditionally a bit slower, but I think the turn and bounce that I got at Wanderers towards the end of the spell was quite nice and encouraging to see. Hopefully change the narrative towards spinners at Wanderers. But yeah, I think assessing that accordingly, I thought I had Bjorn Fortuin. Bjorn bowled exceptionally well, and it's probably his first big series for us. And it's so nice to have a front-line spinner on the other end bowling, and even having said that, the part-timers did a really good job in Aiden, and today we saw Tristan come to the party as well.
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 01:08 am
Alex Carey | Player of the Match: [On the conditions] Yeah, obviously the guys got off to a good start. Got done that all series, and unfortunately we haven't been able to, I guess, get us to a match-winning score off the back of those. Today, it was nice to get us to, I guess, over 300. And, you know, rain's never a good thing in cricket, but we were ahead of the curve there when it came. So nice way to finish the series. Full credit to South Africa, the way they played the first two games. [How do you prepare yourself?] Well, I know my role in the team, so I'm always catching balls and hitting balls and sometimes playing as a batter. So yeah, unfortunately he (Inglis) went down in that first game. Yeah, hopefully he's got a speedy recovery ahead of him. [How do you feel your preparations could go for the Test series?] Yeah, the guys are excited. Everyone's started to now come in. We've got all the Test players here and we have a short turnaround. We've got a tour match on Saturday starting, hopefully the weather's okay here, which I'm sure it will be, and yeah, we're into it. It's going to be a great series. I know everyone's really keen to watch it, keen to play in it, and yeah, we're looking forward to, I guess, starting our prep as of tomorrow, basically.
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 12:55 am
Stats by Shashikant Singh Spin bowling in this ODI series SA: 12 wickets, Avg: 27.91, SR: 33.1, ER: 5.05 AUS: 4 wickets, Avg: 66.75, SR: 57.0, ER: 7.02 South Africa lost their first home ODI game against Australia after winning five succesive matches. Highest win % vs Australia in ODIs 51.3 - South Africa* 42.7 - West Indies 40.9 - England 40.7 - India 36.6 - Sri Lanka South Africa vs Australia, last six ODI bilateral series 2016: SA won 5-0 2018: SA won 2-1 2020: SA won 3-0 2023: SA won 3-2 2025: SA won 2-1 2026: SA won 2-1
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 12:55 am
In reply, South Africa were rocked early, losing Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram inside the opening stages. Xavier Bartlett was instrumental with the new ball, providing those crucial breakthroughs. Ryan Rickelton fought hard with a well-made 71, but with little support from the other end, the Proteas were unable to get close to Australia's total before the rain brought the contest to an end. Australia win by 45 runs (DLS method)
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 12:52 am
21:22 Local Time, 19:22 GMT, 00:52 IST: Right then, the rain has been relentless in Potchefstroom, and the third ODI goes Australia's way via the DLS method as we can see handshakes in the dressing room. The visitors produced an impressive batting display earlier in the day, posting a total in excess of 320. Half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey, a valuable 48 from Oliver Peake, along with a few handy contributions down the order, made it a strong collective effort from Australia.
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 12:33 am
21:00 Local Time, 19:00 GMT, 00:30 IST: The rain continues to pelt down in Potchefstroom, and the wait goes on. We’re also starting to lose overs now, which could further impact the game. Under the DLS method, the par score currently stands at 190, leaving South Africa 45 runs short at this stage.
- —RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 12:00 am
20:31 Local Time, 18:31 GMT, 00:01 IST: Covers are coming on! Rain picked up heavily over the last few minutes so the umpires called a pause. Hopefully just a passing shower. DLS par score after 28 overs is 190. Stay tuned for further updates!
- 27.6RSA· 01 Oct 2026, 12:00 am
Cooper Connolly to Corbin Bosch, no run, keeps a tad low on outside off. Corbin Bosch tries to cut and misses. Wasn't far away from missing the off-side
- 27.5RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:59 pm
Cooper Connolly to Corbin Bosch, 2 runs, flatter on the pads, Corbin Bosch tucks it to the right of mid-wicket. The fielder misfields and allows the duo to get back for a brace. Poor effort from the fielder
- 27.4RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:59 pm
Cooper Connolly to Ryan Rickelton, 1 run, another full delivery outside off, Ryan Rickelton drives it to long-off
- 27.3RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:58 pm
Cooper Connolly to Corbin Bosch, 1 run, too full on middle, driven down to long-on
- 27.2RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:58 pm
Cooper Connolly to Corbin Bosch, no run, blocked to mid-wicket
- 27.1RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:57 pm
Cooper Connolly to Ryan Rickelton, 1 run, Ryan Rickelton comes down the track and knocks it to the on-side
- 26.6RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:57 pm
Pat Cummins to Corbin Bosch, no run, back of a length delivery well outside off, Corbin Bosch pushes it to the on-side
- 26.5RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:56 pm
Pat Cummins to Ryan Rickelton, 1 run, tucked to the on-side
- 26.4RSA· 30 Sept 2026, 11:55 pm
Pat Cummins to Ryan Rickelton, no run, another play and a miss. Back of a length outside off, Ryan Rickelton fails to get bat on ball