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AUSTRALIA ended its ODI series against South Africa a different team to the one that started, but still narrowly went down 2-1 in a hard-fought contest.
Here, we take a look at five things we learned from the third and final ODI on Sunday.
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MARSH MAKES HIS TEST CASE
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Justin Langer has made it clear he will consider runs across all formats in the Test selection equation, so Shaun Marsh’s century on Sunday has him well placed to play the first match of the Border-Gavaskar series in December.
Marsh kept Australia in the hunt in Hobart with a 102-ball 106, justifying his spot in the team ahead of D’Arcy Short. It was the left-hander’s sixth ODI hundred and his third in his past six 50-over matches.
Marsh hits brilliant ton
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It also continued his fine run of form since returning to Australian soil. Firmly under pressure after a lacklustre run in Test cricket away from home — 161 runs at 13.41 — Marsh is averaging 76.5 across all forms of cricket since getting back home.
He made scores of 80 and 98 for Western Australia agast Tasmania last month, with his 22 for Australia in Adelaide his lone score below 50 since coming back to Australia.
Alongside fellow Western Australian Marcus Stoinis, Marsh made South Africa work for its victory. The pair came together at 3-39 in pursuit of 321 and wrestled the contest back into the balance with a mighty display of power hitting that momentarily put the Proteas on the back foot.
Stoinis and Marsh combined for 107 runs off 118 balls before the former was dismissed for 63 off 76. He hit five fours and four sixes after being moved up the order to No.5.
AUSSIES LET PROTEAS PAIR OFF THE HOOK
David Miller and Faf du Plessis didn’t need invitations to make the most of their second lives.
The Proteas pair in Hobart put on a staggering 252 runs together – the most ever in an ODI between South Africa and Australia. The previous best was 222 between Michael Bevan and Steve Waugh at Docklands Stadium in August 2000.
Both made emphatic centuries on Sunday after each being let off the hook before making it to 50.
Du Plessis was dropped by keeper Alex Carey on 29, and finished on 125 (114).
Miller was walking back to the sheds on 41 when he was trapped in front by Glenn Maxwell and Aleem Dar raised his finger. Du Plessis reviewed the decision for him (after a 19-second wait) and DRS found the ball was going over the stumps.
He finished on 139 (107) to record his highest ever ODI score.
Miller and du Plessis took South Africa from a precarious 3-55 after 15.3 overs to a formidable 320 to set up the win.
READ MORE
PLAYER RATINGS: Star bowlers flop as Stoinis and Marsh stand up
MATCH REPORT: Brilliant Marsh ton can’t save Aussies as Proteas clinch ODI series
WATCH: Aussies burned by Faf’s farcical DRS ‘tactic’
RECORD PARTNERSHIP: Proteas pair make Aussies pay
Aussies let RSA off the hook
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FAF IS CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS
Du Plessis was to thank for not one, but two centuries for South Africa on Sunday.
His own – which was his fourth in an ODI against Australia – couldn’t have come at a better time.
With the series all-square at 1-1, and the Proteas struggling in the decider at 3-55, du Plessis led by example as all great captains do.
He weathered the challenges from Mitchell Starc and co. and went on to post 125 runs off just 114 balls, including 15 fours and two sixes.
But what he did for his teammate Miller was arguably more influential.
Miller was given out LBW on 41 while du Plessis was standing at the non-striker’s end. The batsman looked ready to walk having not called for a review himself until his captain stood in.
Du Plessis called the review for him and Miller was saved by ball-tracker. The 29-year-old went on to make 139 runs off 108 balls in what Graeme Smith described as “one of the best innings you’ll see”.
Miller was also awarded player of the match, and series.
Aussies stung be dodgy review
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STAR QUICKS NOT THE SAVIOURS
Given Australia’s recent batting performances, many hoped the presence of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins would be enough to mask their failures.
After three ODIs, it’s become clear that’s too much to ask.
The trio were all fresh from lengthy stints away from international cricket after injuries sustained in the tour of South Africa in March. Only Starc had made a return for Australia since, and that was only in two Test matches against Pakistan at a reduced capacity.
All three were far from their best during this series, taking eight wickets at 50.38.
Cummins only took one, and ended the series on a low note by being hit for 0-67 off his 10 overs.
The bowlers are now out of competitive matches to be ready for the Test series against India after none of them were selected for the Twenty20s this month.
STOINIS HAS A BUNNY IN THE MAKING
Reeza Hendricks will be happy to see the back of Marcus Stoinis when South Africa’s tour of Australia is complete.
Stoinis was one of Australia’s finest and most consistent performers this series, taking eight wickets at 15.12.
He especially enjoyed his brief encounters with Hendricks, though.
The 29-year-old only bowled seven balls to the opener across the three matches, but he took Hendricks’ wicket twice without conceding a run.
The first wicket came in the first ODI when Hendricks popped up a ball on a good length to allow Chris Lynn to take an easy catch. The second wicket, however, was far more fortunate for Stoinis.
His delivery was going down leg side but Hendricks got a little tickle on the ball as he tried to glance it to fine leg.
Either way; Stoinis 2, Hendricks 0.
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