Thatβs all from Mackay! A commanding display by the Proteas, who extend their dominance over Australia with a fifth successive ODI series win. South Africa take an unassailable 2-0 lead and will now eye a clean sweep when the sides meet again on Sunday.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide who, along with scorer/analyst Yogesh Kumar brought all the actions of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYEπ
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): "It's a great feeling of course. Never easy coming to Australia and wrapping up the series in two games. So, really good from the boys. I am sure they are pretty much pumped up in the change room.
(On Lungi Ngidi) Yeah for sure. It's always nice when the others step up for the team. You need to be happy for Lungi. There was some extra pace and bounce on the wicket and I felt that our two quicks bowled really well with the new ball.
(On the drop catches) In my opinion, we still have a bit to do. It's one of the days really but we need to get better in that department. We got it done in the end and really happy with the performance from the boys.
(On doing a whitewash) Yeah, that will be the focus for sure. We still have some areas to work on. We are showing really good signs in all the three departments but we have another opportunity on Sunday to do things better and see if the outcome works out well for us or not."
Mitchell Marsh (Australia Captain):"Disappointing. As a collective, we bounced back very well with the ball. We didn't get the job done with the bat.
They bowled exceptionally well. It swung early.
It's always nice when you see young Bartlett comes in and do that work. Things didn't go his way. Disappointing loss but credit to South Africa."
Lungi Ngidi (Player of the Match): "Thank you very much. It's been a long tour and I'm happy to put together a performance like that.
Definitely I had to step up, knowing that Rabada is the spearhead of this attack and he missed out. This has been a test of character. They have put under pressure in the powerplay and we had to make that count.
We gave them a chance and that's what international cricketers do if they get a chance. Cross-seam deliveries, some pace off the surface. Tried to run in as hard as I can and break open the game."
Player of the Match: Lungi Ngidi
Australia have now been bowled out four times in a row at home in ODIs. It's only the second instance, with the first coming way back in 2009.
Multiple five-wicket hauls against Australia in ODIs:
3 - Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)
3 - Shane Bond (New Zealand)
2 - Trent Boult (New Zealand) 2* - Lungi Ngidi (South Africa)
Best Bowling Figures for Lungi Ngidi in ODIs: 6/58 vs Australia, Bloemfontein, 2020 5/42 vs Australia, Mackay, 2025, Tonight* 4/51 vs India, Gqeberha, 2018 4/51 vs Australia, Centurion, 2023
Best Bowling Figures by South African Pacers vs Australia in Australia in ODIs: 5/21 - Morne Morkel, W.A.C.A., 2014 5/24 - Lance Klusener, Melbourne, 1997 5/40 - Richard Snell, Melbourne, 1994 5/42 - Lungi Ngidi, Mackay, 2025, Tonight*