Mackay, August 24, 2025: Australia produced a stunning all-round performance to thrash South Africa by 276 runs, their second-biggest victory in ODI history, and avoid a series whitewash in Mackay on Sunday.
Batting first, Australia piled up 431 for 3, their second-highest ODI total, powered by centuries from Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green. It was only the second time in ODI history that a team’s top three batters all reached three figures, a feat previously achieved by South Africa in 2015.
Head (109 off 80) and Marsh (105 off 105) laid the foundation with a 250-run stand, Australia’s fourth-highest opening partnership. Green then stole the show with a blistering 118 off just 55 balls*, bringing up his maiden ODI century in only 47 deliveries — the second-fastest by an Australian after Glenn Maxwell. Together with Alex Carey (52*), Green added 164 runs in just 81 balls as Australia plundered 126 runs in the last 10 overs.
Chasing a record target, South Africa’s hopes collapsed early. By the ninth over, they were reeling at 50 for 4, with skipper Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs all back in the pavilion. Dewald Brevis (49) offered some resistance, but wickets kept tumbling as Australia’s young spinner Cooper Connolly ripped through the middle order.
At just 22 years old, Connolly became the youngest Australian to take a five-wicket haul in ODIs, finishing with figures of 5 for 33 — the best by an Australian spinner in the format. South Africa folded for 155 in just 25 overs, slumping to their heaviest ODI defeat by runs.
The victory ensured Australia maintained their proud record of never being whitewashed in a home ODI series, even as South Africa claimed the series 2–1. All three matches were won by the side batting first, underlining the challenge of chasing under lights in Mackay.
