Carey anchors Australia as tourists finish South Africa series with 45-run win

Potchefstroom, 30 September 2026: Australia finished their ODI tour of South Africa on a positive note, defeating the hosts by 45 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the third and final match at Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

Alex Carey produced the innings that held Australia's total together, scoring 74 from 88 balls as the visitors posted 322 for nine from their 50 overs at Senwes Park.

South Africa's chase was later reduced by rain, with the revised target set at 191 from 28 overs. The hosts reached 145 for four before the weather brought the contest to an end, leaving Australia comfortably ahead on the DLS calculation.

The result prevented a South African clean sweep, although the hosts still claimed the three-match series 2-1.

Australia had earlier made a rapid start after being sent in, with captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head putting on 78 for the opening wicket.

Marsh was particularly aggressive, reaching his half-century from only 33 balls before Bjorn Fortuin trapped him lbw for 56 from 42 deliveries, an innings featuring eight fours and two sixes.

Australia briefly lost momentum as Head departed for 24 and Cooper Connolly made 23, but 20-year-old Oliver Peake again showed his potential with a composed 48 from 53 balls.

Carey then took control through the middle overs. Rather than forcing the tempo, the wicketkeeper-batter worked Australia into a strong position before accelerating late in his innings. He shared important partnerships with Peake and Matt Renshaw, who contributed 30 from 29 balls.

Corbin Bosch was South Africa's most successful bowler with four for 60, while Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams collected two wickets each.

South Africa's chase began poorly when Xavier Bartlett removed Quinton de Kock for a five-ball duck and captain Aiden Markram for 15, leaving the hosts 30 for two.

Ryan Rickelton kept South Africa alive with an unbeaten 71 from 81 balls, but Australia continued to strike around him. Adam Zampa removed Matthew Breetzke for 25 and Tristan Stubbs for 14.

With South Africa needing another 46 runs when rain arrived after 28 overs, Australia were well ahead of the DLS requirement.

Carey was named Player of the Match, while South African spinner Keshav Maharaj collected the Player of the Series award.

Scores in brief:

Australia 322/9 (Alex Carey 74, Mitchell Marsh 56, Peake 48; Bosch 4-60) beat South Africa 145/4 in 28 overs (Rickelton 71, Bartlett 2-25, Zampa 2-34) by 45 runs under DLS

Player of the match – Alex Carey

Player of the series - Keshav Maharaj