‘Better than ever’: Skipper’s mighty statement as star suffers recurring nightmare

South Africa vs AUS: 3rd ODI Highlights | 15:33
Dane Heverin with Tim Miller from Fox SportsOctober 1st, 2026 7:51 am

Australia salvaged some pride with a 45-run victoryanglehold over the Australians in bilateral ODI series continued

South Africa claimed their sixth straight series win against Australia with some longstanding issues rearing their head for the visitors – who have some work to do both ahead of the Test series starting on October 9 and their title defence at next year’s ODI World Cup.

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There were some good performances that will have the Australian hierarchy optimistic about the future, but there were many middling performances that summed up the tourists’ efforts in the opening two games – near enough, but not good enough.

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200 runs at 66.66, strike rate 152.67, HS 84

The Aussie skipper is in some form at the top of the order. After bludgeoning 60 off 36 (with six sixes) and 84 off 53 (with five sixes) in the opening two games, prominent cricket commentator Bharat Sundaresan pondered on X whether Marsh has “ever hit it better and harder than he is currently”. Completing a stunning series with a 42-ball 56 in Game 3 to top the series run charts. ‘The Bison’ is hitting them as well as he ever has – even during his run to the Allan Border Medal in mid-2023. The only criticism was his inability to turn those blistering innings into match-winning centuries, falling once the spinners came on in all three matches.

144 runs at 48, strike rate 108.27, HS 84

The left-hander got some time at the crease under his belt in every innings in scoring 36, 84 and 24, which following a century in Zimbabwe, should hold him in good stead for the Test series. Head and Marsh have formed perhaps the most destructive combination in world cricket at the top of the order. But like his skipper, the one criticism of Head in this series was an inability to go really big, with the South Australian looking particularly frustrated after dragging on again in Game 3. Hopefully, he is saving the big ones for the Tests.

Head ‘drags it on’ – AGAIN! | 00:32

71 runs at 23.66, strike rate 86.58, HS 38

Found the going tougher after a century opening against Bangladesh and two fifties at No.3 in Zimbabwe earlier this year. The 23-year-old is likely to get an extended run at first drop in the ODI side, however. In his 38 in Durban showed flashes of the stylishness that has made him so highly regarded by the Australian selectors. The left-hander certainly could have done more to stake his Test claims, but in the 50-over team he also showed his value with handy overs of left-arm spin and is impressive in the field. If it was not for Marco Jansen’s screamer in the outfield Durban, Connolly’s stunning one-handed pluck off the first ball of the match in Johannesburg would have been catch of the series.

48 runs at 48, strike rate 90.56, HS 48

The 19-year-old once showed he is star for the future with his highest international score in his lone appearance for the series – in the series finale. After some eye-catching cameos at No.7 in Zimbabwe, Peake was left out in favour of pace bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards for the first two games. The Victorian was then given the chance to bat at No.4 in Potchefstroom and his 48 off 53 balls showed the immense talent that has seen him thrust into the national team set-up after captaining Australia’s U19s at last year’s World Cup.

3 runs at 3; two catches and two run outs

A brutal series for Australia’s premier white-ball gloveman. One game after scoring a match-winning century in Zimbabwe – his second in ODIs – Inglis fractures his finger and is sent home. It puts his place in the Test squad in doubt and after serving as the reserve batter against Bangladesh, may have ruined his chances of a recall in the longest format if a top order reshuffle eventuates.

91 runs at 45.6, strike rate 83.48, HS 74; four catches and one stumping

Dropped for the series opener and then recalled following Inglis’ injury, the Test gloveman made a good fist of his reprieve. Won player of the match for his 74 in the third ODI in Potchefstroom to not only lift Australia to a match-winning total but also to gain some valuable time in the middle ahead of the Test series. Inglis will remain Australia’s preferred No.1 gloveman in white-ball cricket, but it will be interesting to see in their next ODI assignment against England next month whether Carey is once again entrusted as a batter only after being left out at the start of the series.

106 runs at 35.33, strike rate 94.64, HS 44

The left-hander reached 30 in every innings but disappointingly failed to kick on. Renshaw showed he is certainly worth persisting with in the ODI middle order with his maiden ton in the format in Zimbabwe earlier on this tour and he looked comfortable in each innings against the Proteas. He just did not nail the back half of the innings – like the rest of his teammates. Now, Renshaw’s fitness for the Tests is of big concern after leaving the field with a wrist injury in the third ODI.

45 runs at 15, strike rate 72.58, HS 23

A tough return to the ODI side for Green. He missed the Zimbabwe tour due to a shoulder niggle and did not bowl against South Africa. Blessed with the power that made him the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history, the Australian hierarchy are determined to use Green as a finisher in 50-over cricket. But batting at Nos. 6 and 7 in this series, he looked well off the mark. To add injury to insult, the West Australian’s place in the first Test is now in doubt after appearing to sustain an abdominal injury when a miscued hook shot ended his innings in game three.

30 runs at 15, strike rate 66.66, HS 25; 5 wickets at 24.60, economy rate 6.15, BB 5/67

Drafted into the squad following an injury to Billy Stanlake, the NSW all-rounder impressed with the ball in picking up a maiden five-wicket haul in his second ODI. His extra bounce and well-disguised slower ball were both used to great effect in Johannesburg, and he would have been disappointed to miss the final game with a hamstring concern. He still took the most wickets for Australia in the series. Looked vulnerable against spin with the bat, suggesting his avenue to a long-term spot in the team may be at No.8 rather than No.7.

3 wickets at 31.66, economy rate 6.33, BB 2/25; 52 runs at 26, strike rate 162.50, HS 50

Picked up two early wickets in the rain-shorted third ODI to show why he has a reputation as an excellent new ball bowler. Only played the latter two games of the series and let his batting do the talking in Johannesburg, clearing the fence five times on his way to making 50 off 28 balls – his second ODI half-century. Such innings make him an enticing prospect for Australian selectors as a reliable back-up to Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood.

0 wickets, economy rate 3.40, BB 0/17

In his first ODI in nearly two years, Cummins sent down just five overs due to rain bringing things to a halt. He failed to take wicket, but the Australians will be buoyed by what they saw from the Test skipper in a three-over burst right before the match came to an end. Cummins bowled a pacy spell that hurried up Ryan Rickelton, beat the outside a couple of times and clearly made the South African uncomfortable as he banged away at a back of length.

0 wickets, economy rate 5.81, BB 0/33

Incredibly rare that one of Australia’s best ever ODI bowlers would play two games and fail to take a wicket. He only bowled 16 overs in total – a full ten in the series opener in Durban before getting through six in the rain-shortened third game in Potchefstroom – so it was a small sample size. Starc and the Australians will not be concerned heading into the Test series – for the ‘Big Three’ this series was all about getting miles into their legs.

3 wickets at 26.33, economy rate 5.64, BB 3/57

Following on from his heroics against Zimbabwe that solidified his place in the team, Ellis’ side strain after just four overs in Game 2 proved a game-deciding blow. Was the pick of the bowlers in the first game with three wickets, including a first-ball strike, as well as a fiery confrontation with Marco Jansen. Will be a fascinating watch over the next 12 months as he looks to vie with Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins for a spot in the team at the World Cup.

4 wickets at 40.25, economy rate 7.31, BB 2/34

The only Australian bowler to play all three games in the series, Zampa improved his statistics with two crucial wickets in Potchefstroom after the South Africans inflicted more pain on the leg spinner. The Rainbow Nation has been the house of pain for Zampa as the Proteas have regularly feasted on his offerings over the years – including tying Mick Lewis’ unwanted record of conceding 113 runs without a wicket from ten overs back in 2023. The 34-year-old will need to go to work to figure out a winning formula for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

4 wickets at 30, economy rate 6, BB 3/70

Playing his first ODIs in almost 12 months, the veteran quick looked understandably rusty in Game 1, before finding his best with a strong opening spell in Johannesburg. Picked up two wickets inside his first four overs, and despite going at more than seven an over by innings’ end, showed his trademark accuracy and pace in an encouraging sign ahead of the Test series. Was rested for the third ODI ahead of a looming heavy workload with the red ball.

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