ZCZC
BSP-07
CRICKET-AUS-RSA
Miller, du Plessis plunder tons as South Africa score 320
HOBART, Australia, Nov 11, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – David Miller and Faf du
Plessis plundered centuries in a 252-run stand to power South Africa to 320-5
in the third and final one-dayer against Australia in Hobart on Sunday.
The pair came together at 55-3 in the 16th over with Miller swatting 139
for his fifth limited-overs century and du Plessis smashing 125 — his 10th
one-day ton.
Mitchell Starc, with 2-57, was the best of the Australian bowlers who were
ruthlessly taken apart in the later overs.
The series is all square with the Proteas winning the opening game by six
wickets and Australia snapping their seven-game losing streak to clinch the
second by seven runs.
South Africa are seeking their first ODI series win in Australia since
2009, while the home team are desperate to keep their momentum going ahead of
the arrival of India for a three-format tour.
Both sides opted for unchanged line-ups and, after winning the toss and
putting the visitors into bat, Australia got a dream start with Quinton de
Kock out in the third over.
Mitchell Starc did the damage, bowling a perfect line and length, with de
Kock getting a tickle on the ball and wicketkeeper Alex Carey taking the
catch.
Reeza Hendricks was dropped by Travis Head on eight, but was gone five
balls later when Marcus Stoinis was brought into the attack and Carey took
another good catch.
Aiden Markram smashed three sixes, including one huge blow off Marcus
Stoinis that went out of the ground and down the street, with a new ball
needed, on his way to 32.
But as he looked set for a big score, he tried to flick a Starc delivery
down the leg side and Carey grabbed his third catch of the game to leave
South Africa struggling.
Then hard-hitting Miller joined skipper du Plessis and the scoreboard
began racing along.
Du Plessis was dropped on 29 and Miller escaped an lbw dismissal on 41
that was overturned on review.
They made the most of their second lives and began swinging their bats as
du Plessis reached his century in 105 balls with 11 fours and one six before
falling to Stoinis going for another big hit at the death.
Miller made the landmark in 95 balls, including eight fours and two sixes,
and was finally caught at deep midwicket off Josh Hazlewood in the last over.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1415 hrs