Latest Match Report – Australia(W) vs S Africa (W) 3rd ODI 2023/24

Australia 277 for 9 (Mooney 82*, Healy 60, McGrath 44, Glass 4-56) lost South Africa 127 (Loose 34, King 4-26, Garth 3-14, McGrath 3-23) 110 runs (DLS method)

Outstanding performances from Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath helped Australia regain composure after a heavy defeat three days earlier. They have an 8-4 lead in the multi-format competition leading up to the Test match and are unassailable.
After Alyssa Healy scored a crisp half-century, Mooney anchored the Australian innings with an unbeaten 82 off 91 balls. South Africa kept themselves in the game with successive dismissals of McGrath and Ash Gardner, but Annabelle Sutherland and Alana King Mooney played a simple innings.
Then McGrath and Kim Garth did significant damage with the ball. Garth's swing accounted for Laura Wohlward and Anneke Bosch, while McGrath caught both Tasmin Britts and the key wicket of Marissan Gabe deep within four balls.

Rain interrupted South Africa's chase after 14 overs and looked like it would not allow the game to finish for a while, but it resumed as a 31-over affair. South Africa immediately needed ten runs an over and it was beyond them to fall in a hurry, including three wickets in an over.

South Africa get off to an encouraging start after Healy wins another toss. Phoebe Litchfield's lean streak continued as she found cover and Australia were reduced to 21 for 1 after seven overs, Cap building an opening 4-2-5-0.

But Healy, who was given life on 27 when he got a tough chance at deep square leg, began to pick up the pace as he added 82 for the second wicket with Ellyse Perry. Mazabada Glass produced a brilliant inswinger to remove Perry, and after his half-century in 61 balls, Healy flicked it somewhat carelessly to deep square-leg.

Mooney, off 13 balls, and McGrath made another crucial stand, although progress was often difficult. McGrath smashed Ayanda Hlubi with five consecutive boundaries but was beaten by one at slip from Chloe Tryon in the next over. Gardner left Australia on 187 for 5 in the 37th over, with Capell lbw.

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Mooney brought up his half-century off 71 balls and added 32 off his next 20 balls as Australia gained momentum in the last ten overs. A brace of superb catches – one by Volward at cover and another by Nadine de Klerk at his follow-two dented Australia's ambitions a little, but their total was boosted when 13 runs from a single delivery were effective. King bowled a huge full toss from Glass for a six (knocking his stumps in the process) and then dispatched a free hit as well.

Wollwart couldn't get going in the ODIs and soon dropped Garth at first slip. At the other end, Darcy Brown, who replaced the retired Megan Schutt, bowled with good pace and struck a wicked blow on Brits' wrist.

The Brits struggled in pain before finding deep midwicket and South Africa's best hope then faded as Gabe, who was so inspired in the second game, helped trap McGrath at deep-backward square-leg.

Either side of the rain delay, de Klerk and Sune Loos added 50, but Australia had plenty of breathing space.

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