Lungi Ngidi’s 6/58 and Janneman Malan’s 129 unbeaten proved the difference for South Africa as they eased to a six-wicket victory against Australia in the second One-Day International (ODI) in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
With the victory, SA take an unassailable 2-0 lead into the third ODI in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
David Warner got Australia, who won the toss, off to a flying start as he smashed his way to 35 from 23 balls before giving a tame chance to cover to hand Ngidi his first wicket of the day.
New batsman Steve Smith and captain Aaron Finch kept control of things for a time, but Ngidi struck again to remove Smith and Marnus Labuschange with consecutive deliveries to pick up his 50th ODI wicket, becoming the fastest South African to the mark edging out Lonwabo Tsotsobe by one match.
Finch combined with D’Arcy Short for 77 runs, before Anrich Nortje blasted the Australian skipper out for 69, following up a vicious short ball with a fuller effort which took a fine edge. Short had reached the same score when he spooned a catch to point off Tabraiz Shamsi.
A late collapse cost them dearly though, losing their last six wickets for 47 runs in the final 51 balls to be bowled out for 271 with the last ball of the 50th over. Ngidi was the chief destroyer in this late surge from South Africa, taking the wickets of Ashton Agar, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins in a seven-ball streak.
In contrast, South Africa’s chase was dealt an immediate blow when captain Quinton de Kock was bowled by Mitchell Starc in the first over. But JJ Smuts and Malan steadied the ship, showing an impressive calmness despite their relative inexperience having played just four ODIs before this.
They put on 91 runs before Adam Zampa managed to induce a mishit from Smuts, offering a straightforward chance to Cummins at long-on.
Kyle Verreyne couldn’t manage to replicate his excellent debut effort, departing for three and bringing Heinrich Klaasen to the middle. He played the aggressor to Malan’s steady innings and reached a run-a-ball fifty before Zampa struck again.
But there was no late push from the Australian bowlers, as Malan and David Miller (37 not out) timed the chase beautifully with a late burst of acceleration by Malan taking him to a maiden international century and easing the hosts over the line with an over and a half to spare. Their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership put on 90 runs in exactly 10 overs.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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