Captain Mitchell Marsh, opener Travis Head and promoted No. 3 Cameron Green blasted rapid hundreds to steer Australia towards a monstrous total during Sunday’s ODI series finale in Mackay.
The Proteas are chasing a daunting 432-run target to secure a series whitewash after the reigning world champions posted 2-431 at a sold-out Great Barrier Reef Arena, Australia’s second-highest total in ODIs.
It also marked the first time three Australians had scored a century in an ODI.
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Head and Marsh combined for a 250-run opening partnership after the Australian skipper won the toss and chose to bat first on a flat deck, with the duo blasting 23 boundaries and ten sixes. It was Australia’s highest opening stand against South Africa in ODIs and fifth-best overall.
In a much-needed return to form, Head thumped a 103-ball 142 before falling to spinner Keshav Maharaj, bringing up his seventh ODI century in just 80 deliveries. Not to be outdone, Marsh needed 105 balls to reach triple figures but top-edged a slog against tweaker Senuran Muthusamy the very next delivery, caught by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton for 100 (106).
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Australia’s highest team totals in men’s ODIs
4-434 vs South Africa in Johannesburg, 2006
2-431 vs South Africa in Mackay, 2025
6-417 vs Afghanistan in Perth, 2015
8-399 vs Netherlands in Delhi, 2023
Elevated up the order, Green and Alex Carey added an unbeaten 164 for the third wicket in a late blitz, with the former celebrating his maiden ODI century in the 48th over. Green cleared the boundary rope eight times during his career-best knock of 118* (55), racing towards triple figures in just 47 balls, making it the second-fastest hundred by an Australian in ODIs.
Carey, who finished unbeaten on 50, was dropped on 29 by Kwena Maphaka, while seamer Wiaan Mulder claimed 0-93 from seven overs, worst bowling figures by a South African in ODIs.
Australia fell agonisingly short of the nation’s highest team total in ODIs, the infamous 4-434 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006.
Earlier, Australia made two changes to its starting XI for the third ODI, with all-rounder Cooper Connolly and seamer Sean Abbott replacing Josh Hazlewood and Aaron Hardie.
Fastest hundreds for Australia in men’s ODIs
40 – Glenn Maxwell vs NED in Delhi (2023)
47 – Cameron Green vs SA in Mackay (2025)
51 – Glenn Maxwell vs SL in Sydney (2015)
57 – James Faulkner vs IND in Bengaluru (2013)
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