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Du Plessis and Miller share record partnership before fast bowlers close out series win

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Faf du Plessis and David Miller shared South Africa’s biggest ever ODI partnership against Australia to lay the foundation for the Standard Bank Proteas 40-run victory at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart today that enabled them to clinch the three-match series 2-1. Du Plessis and Man of the Match Miller shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 252 in 33 overs after the first three wickets had fallen for 55 as Australia tried to exploit winning the toss. It was also a South African record against all comers, beating the previous best of 232 by Daryll Cullinan and Jonty Rhodes against Pakistan at Nairobi 12 years ago. That latter stand represented a world best at the time. The Du Plessis-Miller partnership was the third highest of all time for the fourth wicket. It enabled the Proteas to post a total in excess of 300 in an ODI against Australia in Australia for the first time. The statistics of the partnership were remarkable. It enabled South Africa to score 174 runs in their last 15 overs, 130 in the last 10, 75 in the last 5 and 51 off the last 15 balls! Du Plessis’ century (125 off 114 balls, 14 fours and 2 sixes) was the 10th of his career and his fourth against Australia while Miller’s century (139 off 108 balls, 13 fours and 4 sixes) was his fifth, his second against Australia and his career best against these opponents. In spite of these batting fireworks the match was far from finished as a contest as Shaun Marsh responded with a century (106 off 102 balls, 7 fours and 4 sixes) of his own and Australia went into the last 10 overs needing 106 for victory with six wickets still intact.
However, the Proteas world-class pace trio rose to the occasion and the Australians could managed only 65/5 in their last 10. Kagiso Rabada (3/40) and Dale Steyn (3/45) took three wickets apiece and, with Lungi Ngidi also displaying his skills as a death bowler (his one over only conceded one run), none of the three had an economy rate higher than Ngidi’s 5.60. This was outstanding by any standards.
Steyn finished the series with 7 wickets and now needs just one more to complete 50 wickets against Australia. Miller was named Man of the Series in addition to Man of the Match for making 194 runs at an average of 92. The Proteas now turn their attention to the one-off T20 International match to be played on the Australian Gold Coast on Saturday (10h00 start, CAT)
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Cricket
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