South Africa vs Australia : Australia, the reigning ODI World Champions, faced another heavy defeat against South Africa in the ongoing ODI series.
South Africa vs Australia : Chasing 278 to keep the series alive, they were bundled out for just 193 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, going down by 84 runs. Their ODI struggles have deepened further, with only one victory in their last eight completed matches — a successful 352-run chase against England in this year’s Champions Trophy.
Australia’s winless run against South Africa in bilateral ODI series continues, as they haven’t clinched one since 2014. Since then, the Proteas have beaten them in five straight series. Ironically, during this same stretch, the Aussies lifted the ODI World Cup twice (2015 and 2023), but a series win over South Africa still remains elusive.
Ngidi’s five-wicket masterclass
The star of the match was Lungi Ngidi, who claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul, dismantling Australia’s batting lineup. His victims included Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, and Adam Zampa, helping South Africa secure an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
This was Ngidi’s second ODI fifer against Australia, the first being his 6/58 in Bloemfontein back in 2020. With this feat, he has become the first South African bowler and only the fourth overall to pick multiple five-wicket hauls against Australia in ODIs — joining the elite company of Curtly Ambrose (3), Shane Bond (3), and Trent Boult (2).