South Africa have created an unwanted record in their ODI history after a crushing defeat to Australia in the third and final match of the series on Sunday.

 

Australia thrashed the visitors by 276 runs at Mackay, handing South Africa their biggest loss in ODI history. Despite the humiliating defeat, South Africa claimed the three-match series 2-1 after winning the first two games.

 

Batting first, Australia piled up a massive 431 for 2. The top three batters dominated the bowlers, each scoring a century. Openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh stitched a brilliant 250-run stand for the first wicket. Head smashed 142 runs off 103 balls, while Marsh scored exactly 100 from 106 deliveries.

 

Cameron Green played the most explosive innings of the day, blasting an unbeaten 118 from just 55 balls with six fours and eight sixes. Alex Carey supported him with 50 not out as the pair added 164 runs for the third wicket.

 

Chasing 432, South Africa collapsed to 155 all out as they failed to counter Australia’s bowling attack. Cooper Connolly stole the show with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 22 runs. Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett grabbed two wickets each.

 

The 276-run defeat is now South Africa’s heaviest loss in ODIs by margin of runs. Their previous worst came in 2023 when India beat them by 243 runs.

 

Despite this record-breaking loss, South Africa can take consolation from winning the series 2-1.