Australia Post 431/2, Bowl Out South Africa for 155 – Historic 276-Run Win

Australia turned a “dead rubber” into a night of living history in Mackay, crushing South Africa by 276 runs in one of their most dominant one-day performances ever. The victory was Australia’s second-biggest win in ODI history and South Africa’s heaviest defeat in the format.

From Travis Head’s fireworks to Cameron Green’s record-breaking power-hitting and Cooper Connolly’s magical spell, this was a match brimming with milestones.

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Australia’s Batting Fireworks

The tone was set early when Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh added a 250-run opening partnership. South Africa’s young, inexperienced bowling attack simply had no answers.

Key Highlights:

• Travis Head – 142 (103 balls, 17 fours, 5 sixes)

• Mitchell Marsh – 100 (106 balls, 9 fours, 1 six)

• Cameron Green – 118* (55 balls, 6 fours, 8 sixes, SR 214)

• Alex Carey – 50* (37 balls, 3 fours, 1 six)

First time in history three Australians scored centuries in a single ODI innings.

Australia’s Top ODI Totals

Australia fell just 3 runs short of their world-famous 434 in Johannesburg.

Cameron Green’s Record Knock

Green’s maiden ODI hundred was not just special, it was historic.

• Reached 100 off 47 balls – 2nd fastest ODI century for Australia.

• Only Glenn Maxwell (40 balls vs Netherlands, 2023) has scored quicker.

• Launched 3 consecutive sixes off Senuran Muthusamy.

• Shared a 164-run stand in just 13 overs with Alex Carey.

Fastest ODI Centuries for Australia

South Africa’s Struggles

Chasing 432, South Africa never looked settled. Abbott and Bartlett ripped into the top order before Connolly’s spin sealed the demolition.

• Sean Abbott – 2/27

• Xavier Bartlett – 2/45

• Cooper Connolly – 5/22 (best-ever figures by an Australian spinner in ODIs)

• South Africa all out for 155 in 24.5 overs

Only Dewald Brevis provided entertainment, smashing 49 off 28 with 5 sixes before falling to Connolly.

Best Bowling Figures by Aussie Spinners in ODIs

Connolly’s spell was not just match-winning — it rewrote the record books.

Match in Numbers

• Australia 431/2 (50 overs)

• South Africa 155 all out (24.5 overs)

• Result: Australia won by 276 runs

• Series: South Africa win 2-1

Records from Mackay

• 2nd biggest ODI win for Australia (by runs).

• South Africa’s worst ODI defeat ever.

• 2nd highest ODI total for Australia.

• First time three centuries by Australian batters in a single ODI innings.

• Green’s 47-ball century – 2nd fastest for Australia.

• Connolly’s 5/22 – best figures by an Aussie spinner in ODIs.

Context and Looking Ahead

For South Africa, the series win was already sealed — their 5th straight bilateral ODI series victory over Australia. But their decision to rest Lungi Ngidi and manage workloads with Kagiso Rabada missing left them badly exposed in Mackay.

For Australia, this win was more than consolation:

• Marsh showed calm leadership.

• Head rediscovered his destructive form.

• Green announced himself as a future ODI superstar.

• Connolly emerged as a spin option for the long term.

Momentum, confidence and belief have been restored — critical with the Champions Trophy and a packed international calendar ahead.

Conclusion

What should have been a dead rubber turned into a night of unforgettable cricket. Australia’s towering 431/2 and record-breaking batting feats were followed by Connolly’s historic spell, as South Africa collapsed to 155 all out.

The 276-run margin ensured this game joined the pantheon of great Australian ODI performances. A reminder to the cricketing world: underestimate Australia at your peril.