Australia bag consolation win riding on Head, Marsh, Green tons

After back-to-back poor shows with the bat, Australia finally got going in Mackay as Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green tonned up to post their second-highest total in the format. The hosts racked up a monumental 431/2, in response to which South Africa folded for 155 with Cooper Connolly picking up a five-fer. South Africa won the series 2-1, their fifth straight in the format dating back to 2016.

Kwena Maphaka was drilled for a boundary first ball and it proved to be a portent for the 250-run opening stand that hit South Africa like a blizzard. Head was the wrecker-in-chief, blitzing 142 off just 103 balls – his first international ton since 2024. Marsh was uncharacteristically sedate, perhaps due to the fact that his opening partner was taking the lead, and composed nearly a run-a-ball century.

It was a leather hunt for South Africa who were already missing the services of Kagiso Rabada. Having won the series, they also rested Lungi Ngidi. The naive attack was therefore blown to smithereens by an Australian batting line-up eager to prove a point. Teenager Maphaka leaked 73 from six overs and Wiaan Mulder was even more profligate. Only Keshav Maharaj – introduced as early as the fifth over – managed to keep the rampaging hosts in check. He ended the opening stand with the wicket of Head but Green picked up from where his teammate left, even as Marsh departed shortly after reaching three figures when he miscued a slog-sweep off Senuran Muthusamy.