Despite playing some rash shots, taking the match as close as it could get and spending some nervous time in the final few overs, Australia managed to clinch their third successive win over South Africa in the five-match series.
The Proteas, despite a stunning effort from Robin Peterson with the ball and Quinton de Kock’s scorching hundred, faced a two-wicket defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in a rain-shortened ODI, to lose the series 4-1.
Australia, however, chased the target with five balls remaining through Duckworth-Lewis method, but Peterson almost provided the Proteas a consolation win by ripping apart the Australia batting line-up, despite top-order’s heavy contribution.
Peterson picked four wickets and also bowled a double-wicket maiden in the final stage to bring South Africa back into the contest. The hosts lost wickets in quick successions as Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, George Bailey, Matthew Wade and Pat Cummins went down inside 21 runs.
“Nice to get home 4-1 and we’re all very happy. Bit nervous sitting out there and feeling a little bit sick. But luckily Jimmy came out and won it for us,” Smith said. “Nothing really felt right for me today, had a lot of luck. I was trying to get almost [every ball] but it worked out.”
“A little bit stiff in my hips and my quads, hopefully I am alright tomorrow,” he added. “We set out the start of the series to win every game and winning 4 out of 5 is a pretty good effort. Hopefully we can improve from here.”
Earlier, de Kock maintained his fine run for the touring party and struck his sixth ODI ton to power South Africa to 280/6 in 50 overs. Rilee Rossouw also finished with a fine half-century, while Farhaan Behardien also made a fifty.
