Bavuma Ends Century Drought as Miller’s 142 Powers South Africa to Series Win

A high-scoring thriller at the Wanderers ended with South Africa sealing the ODI series against Australia. Temba Bavuma ended a long wait for a century while David Miller smashed a career-best 142 as the hosts posted 365 before bowling Australia out for 333 to win by 32 runs.

The victory in Johannesburg on Sunday gave South Africa an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series. They had won the opening ODI by 67 runs.

South Africa suffered an early setback after Aiden Markram was dismissed from the very first ball. Quinton de Kock soon followed, leaving the hosts in trouble.

Bavuma then steadied the innings alongside Matthew Breetzke. Breetzke fell for 34, but Bavuma capitalised on a dropped catch when he was on 33.

The South African captain reached his half-century from 61 balls before accelerating. He completed his sixth ODI century from 112 deliveries, ending a three-year and 28-innings wait for a hundred. His previous century had also come against Australia in September 2023.

Bavuma eventually fell for 103, but not before sharing a 156-run partnership with David Miller.

Miller gradually shifted through the gears. He reached his century from 73 balls and needed only another 28 deliveries to add his next 50 runs.

The left-hander eventually smashed 142 from 93 balls, including nine sixes and 12 fours, producing his best ODI score.

Miller was eventually dismissed by Xavier Bartlett, with Cameron Green completing the catch. Bartlett finished with five wickets after playing only his second ODI.

South Africa ended their innings on 365 for nine.

Australia made a flying start in the chase as Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head added 130 for the opening wicket. The visitors scored 77 runs in the powerplay.

Marsh scored 84 from 53 balls, hitting 10 fours and five sixes, before being bowled by Bjorn Fortuin.

Head also reached his half-century but was eventually dismissed for 84 by Aiden Markram. The opener had survived twice before his dismissal, on 63 and 66.

Australia then lost control of the chase, losing six wickets for the next 121 runs. Keshav Maharaj removed Alex Carey and Matt Renshaw, while Fortuin dismissed Cameron Green.

With Australia in danger of being bowled out before reaching 300, Xavier Bartlett launched a late counterattack. He reached his fifty from just 28 balls, striking five sixes and two fours.

However, his resistance ended when Lungi Ngidi? No—Lizad Williams produced a superb yorker to trap him lbw. Australia were eventually bowled out for 333 in 49.5 overs.

Miller was named Player of the Match for his explosive 142.

South Africa will now look to complete a series sweep when the third and final ODI is played on Wednesday.