Australia vs South Africa third ODI scorecard, Travis Head century, Mitchell Marsh hundred, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly five wickets, video, highlights

Captain Mitchell Marsh, opener Travis Head and promoted No. 3 Cameron Green blasted rapid hundreds to steer Australia towards a thumping 276-run victory over South Africa during Sunday’s dead rubber in Mackay.

The reigning world champions, desperate to avoid a dreaded series whitewash on home soil, posted 2-431 in front of a sold-out crowd at Great Barrier Reef Arena, the nation’s second-highest total in ODI history. It marked the first time three Australians had scored a century in a 50-over match.

Australia vs South Africa T20I & ODI Series | Watch every ball LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >

Chasing a daunting 432-run target for an unlikely victory, the Proteas couldn’t replicate their heroics in Johannesburg from 19 years ago, bowled out for just 155 in 24.5 overs. Young all-rounder Cooper Connolly claimed five wickets during the run chase, finishing with 5-22 from six overs, the best bowling figures by an Australian spinner in men’s ODIs.

It was South Africa’s heaviest defeat in ODIs and Australia’s second-biggest victory in the 50-over format.

“It was a pretty crazy day,” Marsh laughed during the post-game press conference.

Australia’s highest team totals in men’s ODIs

4-434 vs South Africa in Johannesburg, 2006

2-431 vs South Africa in Mackay, 2025

6-417 vs Afghanistan in Perth, 2015

8-399 vs Netherlands in Delhi, 2023

Travis Head of Australia celebrates with Mitchell Marsh. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Head and Marsh combined for a 250-run opening partnership after the Australian skipper won the toss and chose to bat first on a flat deck, with the duo blasting 23 boundaries and ten sixes. It was Australia’s highest opening stand against South Africa in ODIs and fifth-best overall.

In a much-needed return to form, Head thumped a 103-ball 142 before falling to spinner Keshav Maharaj, bringing up his seventh ODI century in just 80 deliveries. Not to be outdone, Marsh needed 105 balls to reach triple figures but top-edged a slog against tweaker Senuran Muthusamy the very next delivery, caught by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton for 100 (106).

Elevated up the order, Green and Alex Carey added an unbeaten 164 for the third wicket in a late blitz, with the former celebrating his maiden ODI century in the 48th over. Green cleared the boundary rope eight times during his career-best knock of 118* (55), racing towards triple figures in just 47 balls, making it the second-fastest hundred by an Australian in the format.

Fastest hundreds for Australia in men’s ODIs

40 – Glenn Maxwell vs NED in Delhi (2023)

47 – Cameron Green vs SA in Mackay (2025)

51 – Glenn Maxwell vs SL in Sydney (2015)

57 – James Faulkner vs IND in Bengaluru (2013)

Carey, who finished unbeaten on 50, was dropped on 29 by Kwena Maphaka, while seamer Wiaan Mulder claimed 0-93 from seven overs, worst bowling figures by a South African in ODIs.

Australia fell agonisingly short of the nation’s highest team total in ODIs, the infamous 4-434 against South Africa at Wanderers in 2006.

South Africa, having rested several first-choice players, never looked like reeling in the target, collapsing to 4-50 in the ninth over after Australian seamers Xavier Bartlett (2-45) and Sean Abbott (2-27) created early inroads during the Powerplay.

Dewald Brevis blasted five sixes during an entertaining 49 from 28 balls before becoming Connolly’s second victim of the evening, caught near the boundary rope.

Connolly and Adam Zampa cleaned up the South African tail, with Marnus Labuschagne taking two superb catches in the outfield.

Best bowling figures by Australian spinners in men’s ODIs

5-22 — Cooper Connolly vs RSA in Mackay, 2025

5-32 — Brad Hogg vs WI in Melbourne, 2005

5-33 — Shane Warne vs WI in Sydney, 1996

5-35 — Michael Clarke vs SL in Dambulla, 2004