The third One Day International between South Africa and Australia takes place at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on Saturday, the Proteas are 2-0 up and have the series win secured and they now go in search of a clean sweep.
South Africa have twice defied the odds to clinch the series at the earliest opportunity. After a 74 run victory at Paarl last weekend the Proteas followed up with a 6 wicket win in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in Bloem. It looked like a good call with Warner and Finch putting on 50 for the first stick. Warner fell for 35 and Finch went on to make 69, D Arcy Short matched his skipper's individual score and the innings closed on 271 all out from the full 50 overs. The pick of the South African bowlers was Lungi Ngidi who bettered his 3 wicket haul in Paarl with figures of 6/58 from his 10 overs.
In the chase Quinton de Kock fell for a second ball duck but Janneman Malan batted through to finish unbeaten on 129. JJ Smuts made 41 batting at 3 and more crucial support for Malan came from Heinrich Klaasen (51) and David Miller (37 not out) who prevented the required rate from spiralling and the Proteas got home in 48.3 overs. Adam Zampa was the top Aussie bowler with 2/48, the Proteas hit 5 maximums to Australia's 3 and Malan and Ngidi shared the Man of the Match award.
A reminder that the Proteas won the opening contest, defending 291/7 ( Heinrich Klaasen 123 not out) as Australia's chase collapsed from 133/2 to 217 all out in 45.1 overs
This was how the teams lined up in Bloem
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Janneman Malan, JJ Smuts, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Verreynne
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Pat Cummins (vc), Ashton Agar, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, D'Arcy Short, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Adam Zampa,
Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
Since 2000 Potch has staged 9 ODI's involving the Proteas resulting in 6 home wins, 1 tie (against Australia in 2002) 1 no result and 1 defeat.
The only ODI defeat for the Proteas came against New Zealand in 2015 and Potch hasn't hosted the Proteas in this format since then
Weather Forecast – Potchefstroom
Head to Head
The teams have met 102 times with Australia winning 48, South Africa have now won 50 with 3 ties and 1 no result.
The Betting
At the time of writing South Africa can be backed at 15/10 to win the game with Australia a short price of 8/15.
In the top bat markets Quinton de Kock is 19/10 to top score for the Proteas and David Warner is 5/2 to do likewise for Australia.
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Note: Prices correct at the time of posting but are subject to change
The Verdict
The Proteas have exceeded the vast majority of expectations and will be eyeing a clean sweep but we may see a few changes on both sides for this final match and the match result, top bat and top markets are swerved.
The highest individual score quote arrived for us on Wednesday and given 2 Proteas players have made decent 100's so far we stick with the same outcome at the same price.
Additional interest comes in the shape of David Warner to score a 50 at what looks a fair price.
Suggested Bets: Batsman to score a Fifty in the match , David Warner? (yes) at 17/10
Highest Individual Score over 104.5 runs at 9/10
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