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

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

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

South Africa claimed their sixth straight sequence win in opposition to Australia with some longstanding issues rearing their head for the visitors – who’ve some work to do both forward of the Test sequence beginning on October 9 and their title defence at next yr’s ODI World Cup.

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There have been some good performances that can have the Australian hierarchy optimistic concerning the future, however there have been many middling performances that summed up the tourists’ efforts within the opening two games – close to enough, however not adequate.

Scroll down for foxsports.com.au’s player rankings from Australia’s ODI sequence loss to South Africa!

200 runs at 66.66, strike fee 152.67, HS 84

The Aussie skipper is in some kind at the prime of the order. After bludgeoning 60 off 36 (with six sixes) and 84 off 53 (with five sixes) within the opening two games, outstanding cricket commentator Bharat Sundaresan pondered on X whether Marsh has “ever hit it higher and more durable than he’s at present”. Finishing a surprising sequence with a 42-ball 56 in Recreation 3 to prime the sequence 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 incapability to show these blistering innings into match-winning centuries, falling as soon as the spinners came on in all three matches.

144 runs at 48, strike fee 108.27, HS 84

The left-hander got some time at the crease beneath his belt in each innings in scoring 36, 84 and 24, which following a century in Zimbabwe, ought to maintain him in good stead for the Test sequence. Head and Marsh have formed maybe essentially the most destructive mixture in world cricket at the prime of the order. However like his skipper, the one criticism of Head on this sequence was an incapability to go really huge, with the South Australian trying notably pissed off after dragging on once more in Recreation 3. Hopefully, he’s saving the massive ones for the Exams.

Head ‘drags it on’ – AGAIN! | 00:32

71 runs at 23.66, strike fee 86.58, HS 38

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

48 runs at 48, strike fee 90.56, HS 48

The 19-year-old as soon as confirmed he’s star for the longer term along with his highest international rating in his lone look for the sequence – within the sequence finale. After some eye-catching cameos at No.7 in Zimbabwe, Peake was neglected in favour of pace bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards for the first two games. The Victorian was then given the possibility to bat at No.4 in Potchefstroom and his 48 off 53 balls confirmed the immense talent that has seen him thrust into the national crew set-up after captaining Australia’s U19s ultimately yr’s World Cup.

3 runs at 3; two catches and two run outs

A brutal sequence for Australia’s premier white-ball gloveman. One sport after scoring a match-winning century in Zimbabwe – his second in ODIs – Inglis fractures his finger and is distributed dwelling. It puts his place within the Test squad in doubt and after serving because the reserve batter in opposition to Bangladesh, might have ruined his possibilities of a recall within the longest format if a prime order reshuffle eventuates.

91 runs at 45.6, strike fee 83.48, HS 74; 4 catches and one stumping

Dropped for the sequence opener and then recalled following Inglis’ damage, the Test gloveman made fist of his reprieve. Received player of the match for his 74 within the third ODI in Potchefstroom to not only raise Australia to a match-winning complete but in addition to gain some beneficial time within the middle forward of the Test sequence. Inglis will stay Australia’s most popular No.1 gloveman in white-ball cricket, however it will be fascinating to see in their next ODI project in opposition to England next month whether Carey is as soon as once more entrusted as a batter only after being neglected in the beginning of the sequence.

106 runs at 35.33, strike fee 94.64, HS 44

The left-hander reached 30 in each innings however disappointingly failed to kick on. Renshaw confirmed he’s certainly worth persisting with within the ODI middle order along with his maiden ton within the format in Zimbabwe earlier on this tour and he regarded comfortable in every innings in opposition to the Proteas. He just didn’t nail the back half of the innings – like the remainder of his teammates. Now, Renshaw’s fitness for the Exams is of massive concern after leaving the sphere with a wrist damage within the third ODI.

45 runs at 15, strike fee 72.58, HS 23

A troublesome return to the ODI facet for Green. He missed the Zimbabwe tour resulting from a shoulder niggle and didn’t bowl in opposition to South Africa. Blessed with the ability that made him the most costly abroad signing in IPL history, the Australian hierarchy are determined to use Green as a finisher in 50-over cricket. However batting at Nos. 6 and seven on this sequence, he regarded effectively off the mark. To add damage to insult, the West Australian’s place within the first Test is now in doubt after showing to maintain an stomach damage when a miscued hook shot ended his innings in sport three.

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

Drafted into the squad following an damage 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 have been both used to nice effect in Johannesburg, and he would have been disenchanted to miss the final sport with a hamstring concern. He still took essentially the most wickets for Australia within the sequence. Seemed weak in opposition to spin with the bat, suggesting his avenue to a long-term spot within the crew could also be at No.8 moderately than No.7.

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

Picked up two early wickets within the rain-shorted third ODI to indicate why he has a reputation as a wonderful new ball bowler. Solely played the latter two games of the sequence and let his batting do the speaking in Johannesburg, clearing the fence five occasions on his technique 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 fee 3.40, BB 0/17

In his first ODI in practically two years, Cummins despatched down just five overs resulting from rain bringing things to a halt. He failed to take wicket, however the Australians shall be buoyed by what they noticed from the Test skipper in a three-over burst right earlier than the match came to an finish. Cummins bowled a pacy spell that hurried up Ryan Rickelton, beat the outside a few occasions and clearly made the South African uncomfortable as he banged away at a back of size.

0 wickets, economy fee 5.81, BB 0/33

Extremely uncommon that one among Australia’s best ever ODI bowlers would play two games and fail to take a wicket. He only bowled 16 overs in complete – a full ten within the sequence opener in Durban earlier than getting through six within the rain-shortened third sport in Potchefstroom – so it was a small pattern size. Starc and the Australians is not going to be involved heading into the Test sequence – for the ‘Massive Three’ this sequence was all about getting miles into their legs.

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

Following on from his heroics in opposition to Zimbabwe that solidified his place within the crew, Ellis’ facet pressure after just 4 overs in Recreation 2 proved a game-deciding blow. Was the decide of the bowlers within the first sport with three wickets, together with a first-ball strike, as well as a fiery confrontation with Marco Jansen. Might be a captivating watch over the next 12 months as he appears to vie with Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins for a spot within the crew at the World Cup.

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

The only Australian bowler to play all three games within the sequence, Zampa improved his statistics with two essential wickets in Potchefstroom after the South Africans inflicted more pain on the leg spinner. The Rainbow Nation has been the home of pain for Zampa because the Proteas have regularly feasted on his offerings over time – together with tying Mick Lewis’ undesirable file of conceding 113 runs with out a wicket from ten overs back in 2023. The 34-year-old will need to go to work to determine a profitable method for next yr’s World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

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

Playing his first ODIs in almost 12 months, the veteran quick regarded understandably rusty in Recreation 1, earlier than finding his best with a robust opening spell in Johannesburg. Picked up two wickets inside his first 4 overs, and regardless of going at more than seven an over by innings’ finish, confirmed his trademark accuracy and pace in an encouraging signal forward of the Test sequence. Was rested for the third ODI forward of a looming heavy workload with the crimson ball.

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