South Africa vs Australia AUS in SA, 3 ODIs, 2026

Oh, that was close! Flat and short, just outside the off stump. Bosch goes on the back foot and makes room to force it through the off side. The ball skids through to beat the bat.

Flatter and it is not all that short, on the pads. Corbin flicks it off the back foot towards mid-wicket, where the fielder moves to his right but lets it through. By the time the fielder in the deep can get around, the batters pick up a couple.

Offers flight, full and on off. Rickelton drills it to long off for a run.

Spears in a full ball, on middle. Bosch pushes it to long on for one more.

Flighted up, on the pads. Corbin wrists it to mid-wicket.

Darted in at the sticks, on a length. Rickelton eases it to long on for a single.

Stays around the wicket for the right-hander, serves a short ball, angled away. Bosch hops and punches it to cover.

The rain has picked up again, along with the wind, which is actually blowing the rain away a bit. It's pretty chilly out there as well.

Angled in at the hips. Rickelton tucks it the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

Cummins is acing the battle at the moment against Rickelton, but the wicket remains elusive. Off-cutter, on a back of a length, on off. Rickelton flashes but can only connect with thin air.

On the off pole, on a short of a length. Rickelton pats it to cover.

A big swing and a miss! You can feel the pressure building on Ryan Rickelton. Cross-seam ball, on a back of a length, outside off. Rickelton has a heave across the line but the ball sails over his blade.

At 136.8 kph, on a back of a length, on off. Rickelton punches it to cover.

Slows it down and the length is dragged back, on middle. Rickelton knocks it to long on for another single.

Full and fired in at the pads, Corbin flicks it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

Floated up, on off, Bosch taps it to cover.

Spinning back in, on a nagging length, on middle. Rickelton uses the depth of the crease and punches it to long on. They cross.

Short and wide on off. Bosch slaps it to deep point and gets to the other end.

Fractionally short, on off. Bosch thumps it off the back foot but picks out the man at extra cover.

Time for a change? We saw Adam Zampa go off the field for a break at the end of his previous over. And yes, he is being replaced by Cooper Connolly in the attack.

Rickelton throws his head back in disappointment at not managing to get this one away. Cummins rolls his fingers over the ball, on a good length, on middle. Ryan tries to whip it away on the leg side but gets a soft leading edge and it dribbles to cover. At the halfway mark, South Africa are 135/4, needing 188 runs in 150 balls.

Goes past the bat! Angled in before straightening off the deck, on a good length, around off. Rickelton fishes at the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

Half a shout for LBW, but it is turned down. Cummins varies his length as he goes fuller, angled in on middle and leg. Rickelton is caught in his crease and plays all around it. It nips back to go past the inside edge and hits the batter high on the thigh pad.

Pace off and into the deck from around the wicket, on middle. Rickelton shapes up to turn it away on the leg side with a closed bat face. Miscues it off the splice of the bat back towards the bowler.

Another short ball by Pat, on off. Bosch gets on top of the bounce and fends it in front of point for a quick single.

Dug in short, outside off. Bosch stands tall on his toes, trying to force it through the off side with a horizontal bat. He is early into the shot and mistimes it to cover.

Drags the length back, on middle. Bosch goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Oh! This spins away, on the fuller side, on off. Bosch gets his hands out in front and hangs low. Attempts to drag the sweep in front of square and toe-ends it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! In the gap! Skidding through at 86.8 kph, darted in at the pads. Bosch is quick to pick up the length and rocks back in his crease. Rolls his wrists over the ball and pulls it well to the right of deep square leg for a boundary.

Looped up again, on middle. Rickelton reaches out in front, takes the ball on the full and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Loopy ball, on off. Corbin drives it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, on middle. Bosch firms the drive down the deck. Zampa gets low on his follow-through and prevents it from going past him.

Angled in at the ribs of the batter. Bosch lifts his front leg and tries to play the pull. Gets an underedge and it goes down towards leg gully, where the fielder dives to his right and makes a half stop. They cross.

Jagging back in sharply and rises up as well from a short of a good length. Bosch is cramped for room and attempts to nudge it away but cops a blow on the glove. He is keen for a quick single but the square leg fielder attacks the ball and keeps Bosch on strike.

Corbin Bosch gets a hefty blow on the underside of his right elbow. That is a sore one to take, and out comes the physio to have a look. The magic spray is applied, and Bosch is all good to continue.

Nearly dragged it on! Cummins hurls it on a shortish length and gets the ball to climb onto the batter. Bosch gets on his toes and gets his hands high to fend it down but the ball catches the inside edge and clips the right elbow before it drops at the batter's feet. Luckily for Bosch, it does not trickle back onto the stumps.

Greets the new batter with a bumper, over middle. Bosch ducks under it hurriedly.

Keeps it outside off, on a length. Rickelton pushes it through covers for a single.

Around off, on a length. Rickelton dabs it down on the off side.

South Africa have effectively lost half their side. In walks Corbin Bosch to bat. Also, Pat Cummins returns to the attack.

OUT! LBW! A loud shout and the finger is raised. Tristan Stubbs turns around and trudges off, opting not to review. Oh, hang on, Ryan Rickelton stops Stubbs in his tracks, and convinces him to take the review, which the latter does with 1 second left on the timer. This does not turn, and it slides on with the arm, full and at the sticks. Stubbs leans forward and plays for the leg break. He plays down the wrong line, with the ball sneaking past the inside edge to hit him on the front pad. Daylight between the bat and the ball. The Ball Tracking comes up as three reds, with the ball crashing into the leg stump. Adam Zampa picks up another prized scalp. South Africa lose their 4th wicket, needing 198 more runs.

Full and on off. Stubbs reaches out in front and defends it out.

FOUR! Gets it away! Sliding onto the pads, on the fuller side. Stubbs is on the back foot to a ball he was better off being forward to. He is late on the flick but just about manages to get his bat down. It takes the inside edge and goes down to the deep fine leg fence.

Flatter and shorter, not all that wide but Stubbs goes for the cut. Ends up chopping it down to point.

Floated up again, on off. Stubbs lunges to smother the spin.

Flighted up, on off. Stubbs gets a good stride in and drives it wide of deep cover. Pat Cummins sprints to his right and slides to mop it up. Two taken.

TWO WIDES! Zampa gets it all wrong as he sprays a full toss, down leg. Rickelton can't put it away. Alex Carey gets low to his right and gets his body behind the ball. It deflects off his thigh wide of short fine leg as the batters cross.

Pace taken off by Starc, full and wide on off. Stubbs ends up squeezing it out to cover.

Hurls it on a length, on off. Rickelton leans across and punches it past cover for one more.

At 137.6 kph, on off, on a short of a good length. Stubbs shuffles a bit and tugs it in front of square on the leg side. They cross.

Another drop and run! At the sticks, fuller in length. Rickelton dabs it in front of point and hurries to the other end.

Angled away, on a nagging length. Stubbs drops it with soft hands wide of cover and scampers through for a quick single.

Hits the hard length, on off. Stubbs rises on his toes and stabs it down on the off side.

The DLS par score for South Africa at the end of 20 overs is 144, which gives you a fair idea of where the chase stands at the moment.

A dot to end, and just 4 singles off it. Floated up around leg, Rickelton works it away to square leg. South Africa need 210 more off 180 balls, and they are also currently behind on the DLS score. But let's hope that the rain stays away and DLS doesn't come into play.

The leg break outside off, staying a bit low. Stubbs makes room and eases it through covers, turning the strike over.

Pushed through flatter and straighter at the pads, tucked away neatly in front of mid-wicket for a run by Rickelton.

Fuller one on the stumps, Rickelton brings out the reverse sweep, hitting it hard but straight to short third.

Zampa slows it right up, getting it to turn away from the fourth-stump line. Stubbs stays back and opens the bat face at the last second, dabbing it wide of short third for a single.

Flatter one from the front of the hand. Stays low around the off stump. Stubbs rocks back and jams it back to the bowler.

Full and wide, slanted across off. Tristan Stubbs smacks the drive to deep cover and picks up a single. 8 off the over.

Dug in shorter over middle and leg, Stubbs hops inside the line, waits well and dabs the pull down behind square leg for a comfortable brace.

Fuller than a good length, at 138.2 kph, on a tight line around off. Stubbs stays compact and blocks it off.

Slower one, a bit more round arm and full on off. Rickelton leans on and strokes it past the cover fielder. Pat Cummins from deep point runs around to his left and cuts it off. Three taken.

Shorter one attacking the ribs. Tristan Stubbs lets the ball come on and tucks it down to deep backward square leg for a run.

Good length in the channel, punched away straight to extra cover. A needless shy at the bowling end results in an overthrow. Starc is not happy one bit.

Tristan Stubbs is in at number 5. Mitchell Marsh turns to his premier pacer, Mitchell Starc.

OUT! STUMPED! A gem of a delivery from Adam Zampa, and he deserved that wicket. Flighted ball, in and around off, drifting in before dipping and turning away. Matthew Breetzke is drawn forward and he leans on to block but is beaten in the flight. The ball rips past the outside edge and Alex Carey whips off the bails in a flash. The replays show that Breetzke has his back leg on the line, and no part of it is inside the line, so it will be out. The end of a 72-run stand and South Africa lose their third wicket.

Stumped? Alex Carey is pretty confident. Nothing behind the line, says the third umpire. OUT flashes on the big screen as Australia celebrate.

Fuller one, tossed up outside off. This is driven away to the left of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Lovely length again from Zampa. Nagging length on off and middle, angling in a bit. Matthew Breetzke watchfully defends.

Flatter one around off, hit away from the crease and square through the off side for a single. 100 up for South Africa.

Rickelton overturns an LBW decision. Adam Zampa bowls this one from the front of the hand, landing it on a good length on middle and leg. The ball slides through and Ryan Rickelton is caught on the back foot, trying to flick it away. The ball beats the inside edge and hits Rickelton on the back pad. A loud appeal for LBW, and it's been given. Rickelton has reviewed it, though. There's nothing on UltraEdge but Ball Tracking shows that the ball is going over the stumps and the Aussies can't believe it. Not Out.

Tossed up on off, turning it back in. Rickelton leans on and plays it back to the bowler.

Dragged shorter around off, punched away off the back foot to deep point for a run more.

Nagging length around off, punched away towards cover.

Another misfield, this time in the deep. Short and wide, cut away off the back foot to deep point. The fielder goes down to his right but fails to pick up the ball cleanly, conceding the second run.

A fumble inside the ring, and the extra run is conceded. Floated up outside off, Rickelton slaps it to point, where the fielder lets it through his fingers and Rickelton picks up two runs.

Attacking the stumps again, shovelled away in front of square leg for a single.

On a dragged length, turning back into the stumps. Matthew Breetzke makes room and tries to force it against the spin, but it is stopped at covers.

DRINKS BREAK! It is all even-stevens at the moment, but it will come down to how long this pair can carry on. They have gone at just above a run-a-ball, and South Africa will want that to continue. Remember, the Proteas are effectively 3 down with Tony de Zorzi out with a hamstring strain, so after Tristan Stubbs, it is down to the bowlers. Australia will be keen to break this partnership after the break and make further inroads into the Proteas batting unit. There is still a bit of drizzle in the air, and let's hope it doesn't get heavy enough for the players to come off.

Bowled into the pitch, and this one turns away a fair bit. Matthew Breetzke rocks back and plays a scratchy pull shot against the turn, and it goes down to long on for another single.

Full and flat, attacking the toes. Rickelton flicks it through square leg and gets a single.

Full and on off, turning in. Rickelton lunges forward, taking it on the full and plays a lovely drive, but it is well-stopped at short cover.

Nicely looped up by Adam Zampa, very full and dipping on the batter around leg stump. Ryan Rickelton leans on to flick but plays all around it. The ball goes past the inside edge to hit him on the pads. A big shout for LBW, but turned down. Was that turning down leg? There is a discussion within the Australian camp, and Mitchell Marsh signals for a review. Initial replays suggest an inside edge, and the third umpire confirms the same with UltraEdge. It stays Not Out, and Australia lose a review.

Tossed up wide outside off, getting it to turn away. Matthew Breetzke reaches for it, toe-ending it to deep cover for just another single.

Short of a length, on off and middle. Ryan Rickelton stays back and whips it down to deep mid-wicket for a single. Rickelton also brings up his FIFTY with that single.

A bit short and wide, cut away to deep point to make it five singles on the trot. Pretty decent over from Oliver Peake, and South Africa are 89/2 after 15 overs.

On middle and leg, this one turns down leg. Matthew Breetzke gets a bit side on and clips it down behind square leg, turning the strike over.

Sliding it in towards the leg pole. Rickelton plays it off the back foot and gets it down to long on yet again for another single.

The rain has picked up but we carry on for now.

Nagging length, darted in towards middle and leg. Breetzke rocks back and punches it through mid on for one more.

Full on middle and leg, hit away on the front foot to wide long on for a run.

On a fullish length, just outside off and turning away. Rickelton leans on to defend.

Mitchell Marsh continues to ring in the changes. Oliver Peake has been brought on. It has started to drizzle, but nothing concerning at the moment.

FOUR! Lovely hands from Breetzke. Zampa dishes out a full and wide one. Breetzke goes on one knee and creams the drive past covers for a boundary to end the over.

A good hustle from the fielder. Flatter one around off, punched away down to the left of mid off, but it is cut off and the batters pinch a single.

On the shorter side, Matthew Breetzke pulls it firmly to deep mid-wicket and picks up another single.

Floated up, full on middle and leg. Rickelton leans on and clips it to the left of mid-wicke for a run.

Dragged length at the stumps, turning in. Rickelton rocks back and jams it down to mid-wicket.

Ouch! Matt Renshaw seems to have hurt himself while making that half-stop. Dragged short on leg stump, turning in. Rickelton rocks back and pulls it down firmly towards square leg. Renshaw sticks out the right hand but the ball bounces and goes off the arm, deflecting into the deep for a brace.

Adam Zampa to roll his arm over.

Length ball outside off, Breetzke taps it straight to point and calls for a single, but Rickelton rightly sends him back.

Flatter one outside off, comes back in a bit. Matthew Breetzke hops back and punches it against the spin to covers.

Tossed up fuller at the stumps, driven down to long on for a single.

SIX! There's a fielder over there in the deep, but the ball sails over his head. Dragged shorter and angled into the pads. Rickelton rocks back and swings it away over deep square leg for a six.

Floated up on middle and leg, Rickelton leans on and flicks it to mi-wicket.

On a dragged length, pushing it into the pads. Breetzke tucks it through square leg for a single. The batters think about the second run, but decide against it.

It will be spin from both ends as Matt Renshaw has been tossed the ball.

Floated up outside off, Breetzke leans on and drives it through covers for a single.

Excellent change of pace from Connolly. Flighted ball, a bit full and on off, getting it to dip and turn. Matthew Breetzke lunges forward to block but is beaten past the outside edge. The third umpire is called in to check the stumping as Carey dislodged the bails. Replays show that Breetzke had his back leg inside the crease at all times.

Bowled slightly into the pitch and this one comes in with the arm. Breetzke stays put and punches it out to covers.

Nicely flighted, on a nagging length and turning in from around off. Rickelton presses back and stabs it down to long on for one more.

A bit of risk involved in that single. Good length on off, Matthew Breetzke punches it straight to the cover fielder and both batters set off quickly for the single. The throw comes in at the keeper's end as Rickelton dives in. Alex Carey whips off the bails but Ryan is well in.

A tad shorter, turning into the pads. Rickelton waits back and tucks it down to deep backward square leg for one.

Time for spin as Cooper Connolly comes on.

That's slung back in. Fullish length on middle and off, Rickelton looks to lean on and drive but ends up getting an inside edge off the pads and towards short fine leg for a single.

Good-length delivery, attacking the top of off. Ryan solidly blocks it off the front foot.

Back of a length, over the stumps, Rickelton hops back to defend.

FOUR! Cracked away! Cummins comes around the wicket now, digging it in short around the off stump. Ryan Rickelton gets on top of the bounce early and smacks the pull through mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR LEG BYES! Cummins gets his line wrong. Good length but angled into the pads, Rickleton misses the tickle and the ball brushes the pads before rolling into the fine leg fence.

Pitched on a hard length, in and around off. Ryan Rickelton plays it late, blocking it down to point.

Done with the first Powerplay. South Africa are 54/2, which means Australia win the phase, but there's a long way to go. The field can now spread as a maximum of 4 fielders are allowed outside the ring.

Attacking the sticks, on a good length. Breetzke defends it solidly.

FOUR! Up and over! Bartlett slides onto the pads, a bit too full. Breetzke holds his shape and picks it up off the pads. Mitchell Starc at deep backward square leg gives chase but is beaten to his left.

Full and around off, Rickelton pushes it wide of mid off and turns the strike over. The 50 is up for South Africa.

Rapped on the pads! Moving back in towards the pads, on a good length. Rickelton plays all around to be hit on the pads but he had gotten a faint inside edge. Anyway, it seemed to have pitched outside the line of the leg stump.

Fuller now, across the left-hander. Ryan leans across for the drive but Matt Renshaw gets in the way at point with a diving stop.

A play and a miss! Decking away off a good length. Rickelton has a poke at the ball and is lucky not to nick it behind.

On the shorter side, on off. Breetzke gets on top of the bounce and with a high elbow, he punches it towards cover.

On middle and leg, on a nagging length. Ryan works it wide of mid-wicket for one.

Nice and tight, on a nagging length, on middle. Rickelton tries to clip it away but closes the bat face early. It goes off a soft leading edge to cover.

SIX! Picked up and how! Not all that short, but enough for Rickelton to deal with. He uses the depth of the crease and has more of a jab, pumping it in front of square on the leg side.

Angled away, on a short of a length. Rickelton dabs it to point.

Begins on a back of a length, outside off. Breetzke stands tall, trying to force it through the off side but he loses his shape and the bat turns in his hand. He mistimes it wide of mid off and gets across for a single.

Pat Cummins comes in as the first bowling change for Australia.

In and around the off pole, on a length. Breetzke drops it beside the strip on the off side and hurries to the other end. Good running!

Full and a hint of away shape, on off. Breetzke plays a confident drive to mid off.

Slides it across, full in length. Rickelton lunges for the drive but gets an outside edge that goes down to deep third for a single.

Good response by Bartlett. Drags the length back and runs it across the left-hander. Ryan tries to knock it straight but the ball leaves him.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Bartlett errs on the fuller side as he overpitches it on the off stump. Rickelton presses forward and firms the drive back past the bowler. Once it is past the bowler, there is no stopping it.

A play and a miss! Moving away off the seam, on a nagging length. Rickelton has a feel for the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

On the off stump, on a good length. Breetzke stabs it down from the crease.

Bangs it in short, outside off. Breetzke drops his wrists and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

Pushed across off, on a length. Breetzke plays a punchy drive and hits it straight to cover.

Hurls it on a good length, on middle. Matthew Breetzke is solid in defence.

Very full, tailing back in at the toes, Rickelton knocks it wide of mid on and crosses over.

Missed out. Starc goes full in search of swing but ends up dishing out a low full toss, on the pads. Rickelton smears it away but picks out the man at mid-wicket.

FOUR! That is a shot and a half. Bowled on a back of a length, outside off. Breetzke gets the width to cash in, and he extends his hands. Opens the bat face and taps the ball on its head, sending it past backward point.

OUT! LBW! That is as plumb as it can get. Aiden Markram knows it, and he looks at Ryan Rickelton before he starts to trudge off. Xavier Bartlett bowls this on the fuller side and angles it in at the sticks. Markram brings his bat out in front, looking to play it towards mid on but plays down the wrong line. The ball jags back in to go past the inside edge. It sneaks through the gap between the bat and the pad to ping him on the back leg right in front of the stumps. South Africa are 30/2 in a chase of 323. Matthew Breetzke walks in at number 4.

FOUR! A shot of high class. Hits the back of a length, does Bartlett, on off. Markram stands tall on his toes and gets on top of the bounce before punching it through the gap between cover and mid off.

Banged in short, outside off. Markram gets on his toes and swivels for the pull. He swings early and connects with thin air.

Beaten! Angled in before straightening off the deck, on a nagging length. Markram presents a straight bat for the block but the ball whistles past the blade due to the seam movement.

Around the off stump, on a length. Aiden pushes it to cover.

Keeps it in the channel, on a good length. Rickelton offers no shot.

Curving away, on a length. Ryan lets it be.

FOUR! Flayed away. A rare loose ball by Starc, short and wide on off. It is there to be put away and Rickelton does not miss out. He frees his arms and spanks it over backward point for a boundary.

Oh, that came back in late. Starc pushes the length up, outside off. Markram shapes up for the big, booming drive but it swings back in late to catch the batter by surprise. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and gets across for a single as the ball goes wide of cover.

FOUR! Threads it through. Fractionally short and equally wide, Markram gets on top of the bounce and punches it hard. It goes a bit uppishly and it is not that wide of Oliver Peake at cover. Peake does not pick it up straight away and is caught wrong footed as the ball beats him to his left.

Starc pitches it up but offers width. Markram transfers his weight onto the front foot and cracks the drive but can't get it past Pat Cummins, who is present at a wide mid off.

Drags the length back now, on off. Rickelton hangs back and guides it to backward point.

An absolute seed by Bartlett. Wobble seam ball, full in length, moving away off the seam from middle to off. Rickelton does not move his feet at all and pushes out in front with a straight bat. It nips away off the seam to go past the outside edge and sneaks past the off pole.

Angled away, on a length. Rickelton angles it with an open bat face to backward point.

Goes full, does Bartlett and gets the ball to curve away. Markram leans across and pushes it between cover and mid off. Pat Cummins moves to his left and slides to keep the batters down to a single.

Edgy! Stays slightly on the shorter side, around off. Rickelton presses up on his toes and pushes at the ball with hard hands. Gets it off the outer half past the diving backward point fielder for a single.

On off, on a short of a length. Rickelton pats it down the deck.

Starc goes searching for the magic ball, trying to get the ball to shape away from leg to middle. He does manage to find a bit of help through the air but not enough to trouble the left-hander. Rickelton clips it wide of mid-wicket and takes a single.

At 141 kph, on a good length, in the channel on off. Rickelton shoulders arms.

Wide. Sprayed down leg, Ryan offers no shot.

Pushes the length up now, on off. Ryan extends his hands and knocks it to cover.

That is a beauty by Starc. Brings the line closer to the off stump and the length is pulled back a touch. Rickelton tries to defend it close to his body and does well not to go feeling for the ball. It moves away late to go past the outside edge.

FOUR! Off the edge. Moving away at 141 kph, full in length. Rickelton stays rooted to the crease and has a tentative prod at the ball. It leaves him in the air to catch the outside edge. It bounces past the diving second slip fielder and down to the deep third fence.

Good hustle between the wickets. Angled away, on a back of a length. Markram rises with the bounce and drops it with soft hands towards cover. Aiden scampers through for a quick single and he could have found himself in trouble with a direct hit but luckily for him, Oliver Peake can't pick the ball up.

FOUR! Helped away to get off the mark. Bartlett strays on the pads, Rickelton lets the ball come on and, with the swing, he tickles it fine of Mitchell Starc at deep fine leg, who stands no chance.

With Tony de Zorzi ruled out, Ryan Rickelton slots in at number 3 for South Africa.

OUT! CAUGHT! Quinton de Kock gets it away this time but picks out the man in the deep. Not the best of balls by Bartlett, as this swings onto the pads, on the fuller side. De Kock plays the pick-up shot with no intention of keeping it on the ground. He fails to pick the gap and holes out to Mitchell Starc at deep fine leg, who gets on his knees and takes a safe catch. Once again in the series, the opening stand does not last long for the Proteas. South Africa are 4/1, chasing 323.

A swing and a miss! Closer to the off stump, bowled on a good length. Quinton tries to pick it up on the leg side but is beaten past the outside edge.

One that angles away at 132.3 kph, on a good length. Quinton shapes up for the pull but the ball is not all that short and it cuts away off the seam. De Kock ends up patting it down on the off side.

A little too straight, on the pads, on a good length. Quinton nudges it to square leg.

Hits the hard length and gets the ball to jag back in awkwardly at the left-hander. QDK is hurried on the back foot but fends it down somehow.

Xavier Bartlett will take the other new ball from the opposite end.

Slips in a full ball, attacking the sticks. Markram brings his bat out in front and blocks it out.

Hooping back in from a short of a good length and it kicks up as well. Markram hops to tuck it away but misses and gets hit on the body.

At 136.2 kph, on a nagging length, outside off. Aiden angles it to point from the crease.

Back to pushing it away, on a good length. Markram presents a straight bat for the block.

FOUR! Markram and South Africa are underway. Starc goes full and gets the ball to curve back into the right-hander. Aiden brings his bat out in front and rolls his wrists to flick it past the diving mid-wicket fielder. The mid on fielder gives chase, but the ball wins the race.

Begins on a back of a length, this is angled across the right-hander from over the wicket. Markram stands tall on his toes and stabs it down.

A bye to end the innings. Australia finish on 322/9. Bosch lands it on a good length, outside off. Zampa walks across for the scoop but fails to connect. The batters try to sneak in a bye. Quinton de Kock lobs it towards Bosch, who is busy appealing for caught behind without any real conviction. Bosch gathers the ball and flicks it behind in the direction of the stumps but misses, allowing Zampa to make his ground. No chance of an overthrow as the mid off fielder tidies up.

It is the off-cutter, on a back of a length. Starc waits for the ball to arrive and knocks it to deep point for a single.

Bosch bangs it in short this time and at pace, Starc swivels but takes his eyes off the ball as he attempts the pull. Gets pinged on the left bicep before the ball dribbles to backward point.

SIX! Mitchell Starc gets hold of this one and clears the fence. At pace now, not all that short, going away. Starc gets the width to free his arms and he uses his long levers to club it over the cow corner fence.

Well bowled! Bosch brings out the off-cutter and the length is dragged back. Starc hangs back to put bat to ball but the ball lands on leg and spins across the batter.

Goes past the bat! Angled away, on a good length. Starc does not move his feet at all and pushes away from his body. Gets beaten past the outside edge.

Was there an edge? Lizaad Williams thinks so. The finger stays down and Aiden Markram wants to have a look. In the channel, on a back of a length. Zampa gets up on his toes to punch it away but misses as the ball whistles past the outside edge before it is snaffled by Quinton de Kock. Clear daylight between the bat and the ball and the UltraEdge comes up with a flat line. The on-field call of Not Out stays.

Adam Zampa is the last batter in for Australia.

OUT! CAUGHT! Pat Cummins holes out. Lizaad Williams rolls his fingers over the ball and it is on a good length, on middle. Cummins clears the front leg and tries to mow it away on the leg side. He does not pick up the change of pace and is early into the shot. It goes down to deep mid-wicket, where Matthew Breetzke runs in off the ropes and slides to take the catch around his chest.

Bends his back and digs it in short, on off. Pat hops and drags the pull to the left of deep mid-wicket. Starc makes his ground at the bowling end before the throw arrives.

On a back of a length, on off. Cummins makes room and slams it hard but it goes straight to extra cover. There was a single on offer, but there seemed to be no communication between the two senior quicks, and they stayed put.

FOUR! Another lucky boundary for Cummins, this time off the outside edge. Full and it tails back a touch, on middle. Cummins reaches out in front and swings across. It flies behind off an outside edge as Quinton de Kock flings himself to his right but the ball stays out of his reach.

FOUR! Untidy in the field. Pace on now, cross seam ball, nipping back in, on a length, on middle. Cummins gives himself a bit of room and swings for the hills. Miscues it off the inner half behind square leg. The sub fielder, Duan Jansen sprints to his right and slides but lets it through.

Wide. Slower, short ball by Williams, outside off. Cummins rises with the bounce and shapes up for the uppercut but eventually bails out. Wide given for height.

On a shortish length, on off. Starc stands tall and pats it to cover.

Wide! Drifts down leg. Starc misses out on the tickle. There seemed to be some noise, but it has been given as a wide. It might have the clipped the strap present on the back of the pads.

FOUR! Edged away! At 137.7 kph, on a length. Starc tries to make use of the angle of the ball going across him. He flashes and flashes hard, looking to go over cover. It flies off the outside edge and the short third fielder stands no chance.

Mitchell Starc walks out to bat at number 10.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A good changeup by Corbin Bosch and he has his reward. South Africa land another big blow in the closing stages of the innings. Cross-seam ball, dug in short, tucking the batter up for room. Green presses back in the crease for the pull but he cannot get his hands through the line of the ball and it also gets big on him. He cops a blow on the glove and balloons behind the wicket, where the keeper, Quinton de Kock, turns around and does the rest. Green goes down on the floor again and seems to have pulled up a muscle in the lower body.

SIX! Green does not miss out this time. Another yorker gone wrong as it comes out as a full toss. Not as high as the previous ball, as this comes at thigh height. Cameron lifts his back leg as he swats it behind square leg for a biggie.

Yikes! That is a really sore one to take, right on the groin guard, and Cameron Green is down on the ground. He does eventually get up and the Protea players rehydrate themselves as well. The physio is out, and he's having a bit of a laugh about it, as Green takes a few breaths and is good to continue.

A loud shout for LBW, but it is turned down as down goes Cameron Green. Bosch goes searching for the yorker but ends up dishing out a waist-high full toss, angled into the right-hander. Green has a big heave but fails to connect and the ball pings him on the box. Green drops to the floor in agony. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball was clipping the top of the leg stump and even the impact was umpire's call.

Bosch slides onto the pads, on a good length. Green presses half-forward and shovels it wide of deep mid-wicket. He calls for two immediately, and they get it. The throw goes to the batting end, allowing the batters to get home with ease.

Gets it very full, not allowing the batter to get under the ball. Green forces it back past the bowler but will have to settle for a single as the long on fielder cuts it off. 4 runs off the over. It has been 21 balls since the last boundary.

Keeps it around the off pole, on a back of a length. Cummins stays beside the line and glides it with an open bat face behind point for a single.

Australia losing steam at the death. In walks Pat Cummins for his first game of the tour. Cummins' last ODI game was in November 2024.

OUT! TIMBER! You miss, I hit, says Lizaad Williams. Angled in towards the off pole, on a good length. Bartlett hangs back in the crease, clears his front leg and has a swipe across the line. The ball jags back in off the deck to go past the inside edge and clatters into the top of the off stump.

Dug in short, outside off. Bartlett looks to flay it away but then lets it go past him. Given as one bouncer for the over.

Tailing back into the right-hander, on the fuller side. Green knocks it wide of long on. The batters push hard but cannot come back for the second.

On off, on a back of a length, Bartlett punches it to long on for a single.

Lizaad Williams (4-0-33-0) returns to the attack for the first time in a long while.

Angled in at the sticks, on a good length. Bartlett clips it wide of deep mid-wicket. They think about the second run but the throw from the deep comes in quickly and they settle with a single.

Xavier Bartlett walks out to bat next, coming off a half-century in the previous game.

OUT! CAUGHT! The change in length does the trick for Corbin Bosch. Alex Carey falls and this could make a real difference in the final score. Bosch rolls his fingers over the ball and bangs it short, over middle. With third man and backward point up inside the circle, Carey arches back to glide it behind point with an open bat face. Ends up spooning it straight to Lizaad Williams at short third, who takes the catch at chest height. End of a top knock by Carey.

Good urgency! Bosch nails the yorker, on middle and leg. Carey gets his bat down and jams it wide of mid-wicket. Aiden Markram is quick to his left from long on but cannot prevent the second run.

Around off, on a good length. Green stays beside the line and taps it wide of extra cover. Single taken.

Pitches it up in line with the leg stump. Carey makes room and whips it to long on for one.

Angled in on a length, on off. Green pushes out in front of his body and gets it off the outer half wide of cover for a single.

Corbin Bosch has been brought back.

Full toss on off and middle, Carey leans on and wrists it away towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs this time. 7 off the over.

Flatter one, pushed back into leg stump. Green hops back and dabs it down through mid on for a single.

Looking for two, but they rightly decide against it. On middle and leg, flicked away towards cow corner for a run more.

Trying to muscle it away, but Green miscues it completely. Dragged a bit short again, over the stumps. Green goes back and across to pull, heaving it over mid-wicket and down to wide long on for just another single.

Slower and shorter outside off, Carey rocks bck and cuts it beween point and covers for a single.

Fullish length on middle, Green stays well back and to the leg side, tapping it past covers for a single.

Shorter in length, a heavy ball over middle and leg. Carey looks for the short-arm jab but is late on it and hits it straight to mid-wicket.

Full of a good length, tailing back in a bit from wide of the off stump. Green drives it past extra cover, but the mid off fielder gets around to his left, keeping it down to a single.

WIDE! Slower delivery, the attempted leg cutter, but this spilled down the leg side.

Fuller in length, slanting back into the stumps at 143.3 kph. Green pushes it out to covers.

FOUR! Top shot! Dug in short around off, Cameron Green picks the length in a flash and rocks back, smacking the pull in front of square leg for a boundary.

Pitched up around off, punched off the front foot and down to long off for a single.

Good length on off, not all that quick at 129.6 kph. This one seams across as Carey throws the hands at the cut and misses.

Dragged length at the stumps, turning in a bit. Carey stays back and tentatively works it through the leg side for a single. 8 off that over.

On the shorter side, a bit quicker as well. Green backs away and hits it down to deep cover for one more.

Good length on the pads, worked away off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! In the air, but just wide of the fielder. Fuller one on off, Carey sits down to reverse sweep, hitting it uppishly to the left of backward point. Gerald Coetzee dives across, going at it with both hands, but the ball goes wide and rolls away into the fence.

Quicker one, flattening it up and darted back in from outside off. Carey goes back to tuck it leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Drifted into the legs, Green plays it with a straight bat and eases it down to wide long on for a run.

Bjorn Fortuin (7-0-35-1) returns to the attack.

Shorter in length, just going across off. Carey get up on his toes and dabs it down to backward point.

Full and straight, angling back in. Green pushes it down to long on for a single.

Attempted yorker, darted back in sharply towards the pads. It ends up being a low full toss but Cameron Green has to jam the bat down to keep it out.

End of a 66-run stand. Cameron Green makes his way out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent change-up from Gerald Coetzee, and he breaks a budding stand here. Slower ball at 124.4 kph, pitched up wide of the off stump. Matt Renshaw leans on and looks to lift it over covers, but skews it high towards extra cover. Aiden Markram from mid off moves to his right and takes a simple catch. Renshaw looked good out in the middle, but has to walk back. Australia are 257/5 now.

A very full ball, slanting it across off. Renshaw jams it out to point.

That's sloppy from Nqobani Mokoena and he immediately puts his hand up in apology. Length ball on middle, angling in. Renshaw shovels it away to mid-wicket, where Mokoena slides to his left and lets it through, conceding two runs.

Gerald Coetzee is back. 7-1-51-1 so far for Coetzee.

Nice and full on the pads, another cheeky paddle sweep from Renshaw, getting it down to fine leg for a single.

Pushed through flatter on off, Renshaw rocks back and punches it to the off side.

Oh, that wasn't far away from the leg stump. Tossed up outside leg, turning back in. Matt Renshaw gets inside the line and plays it really late, just flicking it past Quinton de Kock and down to fine leg for two runs.

Tossed up at the stumps, driven away wide of mid on for a single.

Floated up on off, Carey brings out the reverse sweep now, mistiming it on the bounce to backward point. The fielder makes a diving stop to his right.

Full and angled well down leg, Carey lunges and paddles it down to fine leg for a couple of easy runs. 250 up for Australia as well.

Time for Powerplay 3. South Africa will now be allowed an extra fielder outside the inner ring if they wish, and Australia will be targeting somewhere around 330 from here.

FOUR! Cheeky! Nqobani Mokoena takes pace off but ends up serving a low full toss, on middle and leg. Renshaw gets inside the line, takes the ball on the full and scoops it fine of the man at short fine leg for a boundary. 15 runs off the over. At the end of 40 overs, Australia are 249/4.

Angled across off, full in length. Carey slams it wide of extra cover and crosses over.

SIX! What a response by Carey. Full and straight, at the stumps. Carey gets inside the line of the ball and hangs low. He uses the pace of the ball, scooping it well over long leg for a biggie. 10 runs off the over with two balls to go.

Heart-in-mouth moment for Alex Carey. Mokoena hits the hard length, on off. Alex presses up on his toes to deal with it but the ball takes off to catch the shoulder of the blade. It pops up but lands behind the stumps before Quinton de Kock or the backward point fielder can get to it.

A little too straight at the hips, Matt tugs it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Fuller and at the sticks. Renshaw swings through the line. He does not quite get hold of it and the ball plugs in the outfield in front of the boundary cushions at long on. Two runs taken.

Wide! Banged in short, over middle. It is too high as Renshaw ducks under it.

FIFTY FOR CAREY! He has grown in confidence as the innings has progressed, and after a string of starts without converting them into big scores, Carey has finally managed to kick on in this game. He will have his sights set on a big one now. This is dropped short by Aiden, on off. Carey rocks back and punches it through covers. Duan Jansen, on as a sub, cannot prevent the batters from coming back for the second.

Full and drifting in at the pads. Renshaw wrists it past mid-wicket and crosses over.

Wide! Down leg, very full. Renshaw goes for the sweep but fails to connect.

There's an update from The Proteas camp. Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out of this contest with a hamstring strain, which means South Africa will be one batter short right from the start.

Short and on off, Alex punches it past cover and turns the strike over.

Slower and at the sticks, Carey eases it back to the bowler.

Spears it in towards the leg stump, Carey leans inside the line and drags the reverse. He spoons it through the vacant point region and picks up a couple of runs.

Drifting in, full and on middle. Alex leans forward to block.

Takes pace off, on a back of a length, on middle. Alex hops and nurdles it behind square leg for a single.

At 132.3 kph, on a back of a length, on middle. Matt works it square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

This cuts away off the seam, on a good length. Renshaw defends away from his body but keeps it out.

Over off, on a short of a length. Carey gets on top of the bounce and knocks it past point for a single.

Tighter line, at the stumps. Alex flicks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Hold the pose, Alex. Mokoena angles it across but offers width for Carey to cash in. The left-hander collapses his back knee, lets his hands flow into the shot and goes inside out over cover.

FOUR! Powered away. A bit of a drag-down by Markram, outside off. Renshaw lets the ball come on and thumps it off the back foot. The ball skips across the turf and the fielder in the deep is well beaten to his left.

Oh, not too far away from the off stump. Nicely slowed down by Markram, landing in line with the off stump. Renshaw gets down on a knee for the sweep but the ball is not that full. It grips and turns, sneaking under the blade and going past the off pole.

A bit of air given, on middle. Renshaw lunges and forces it down the deck. Aiden Markram makes a sharp stop low to his right.

Drops it short now, on middle. Carey uses the depth of the crease and punches it to long off. They cross.

Angled in at the pads, full in length. Alex wrists it to mid-wicket.

Darted in on a length, on middle and leg, Matt drives it to long off and picks up a single.

Landing on the seam and nibbling away from leg to middle off a good length. Carey is squared up in the crease and the ball squirts off the outer half to cover.

Strays on the pads, Renshaw flicks it square on the leg side and rotates the strike.

Outside off, on a length. Carey presses forward and plays a punchy drive to the left of mid off for a single.

Keeps it full, on off. Carey drills it straight to mid off.

At 131.9 kph, full and on middle and leg. Alex leans across and clips it neatly but can't get it past Ryan Rickelton at mid-wicket.

Moving away a touch off the seam, on a good length, on off. Renshaw tucks it behind square leg and picks up a single.

Nqobani Mokoena is back on, replacing Corbin Bosch.

Sprayed on the pads, turned away towards deep square leg for a run. A good over for Australia, 12 runs off it.

Skidding through, on the shorter side, on middle. Alex knocks it to long on and turns the strike over.

From around the wicket, tucking the batter up for room, on middle and leg. Renshaw takes a step back in the crease and nurdles it in front of square on the leg side. They cross.

SIX! Excellent use of the feet. This will help Renshaw feel a little better. Floated up by Bjorn, on off. Renshaw puts on the dancing shoes and swings through the line, clearing mid off and the ball drops beyond the ropes.

This is full and quicker through the air, on off. Carey presents a straight bat and knocks it down the ground. The mid-wicket fielder gets across and slides to cut it off. The batters hesitate intially but a fumble eventually allows the batters to cross over.

Fortuin hangs it up, on off. Carey lets the ball arrive and stays leg side of the ball. He gets under the ball and chips it over extra cover for a couple of runs. 200 comes up for Australia.

Slightly fuller, across off. Renshaw is squared up in defence but manages to defend it out.

Sliding in at the hips, Carey helps it away to deep fine leg and gets to the other end.

Hurls it on a short of a length, on the off stump. Carey keeps it out from the crease.

Keps the stumps in play, on a good length. Alex pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! A shot of high class. Bosch stays full, on off. Carey expects the length to be full and gives the bowler a premeditated charge. Gets to the pitch of the ball, extends his hands and cracks the drive past mid off to his right.

Lands it full, on middle. Carey clips it to mid-wicket.

There's a hold-up in the play as there is an issue with the bowler's landing area. Corbin Bosch is pointing it out to the umpire, and the ground staff are now out to flatten it up.

Beaten! Goes on with the angle, on a length. Renshaw hangs back and has a feel for the ball but it leaves him to go past the blade.

Flat and short, on off, pushed back to the bowler.

Dishes out the arm ball, on a good length, on middle. Renshaw plays around his front pad, tucking it to mid-wicket.

Across off, on the fuller side. Carey reaches across and plays the reverse sweep behind point for a single.

Switches to around the wicket now, a bit short, a hint of turn, on middle. Alex works it with the spin to mid-wicket.

Looped up, on middle. Renshaw eases it to long on for a single.

Hits the good length, on off. Carey taps it down on the off side.

A little too straight, on the pads, Carey turns it to mid-wicket.

Around leg, on a short of a good length. Matt fails to help it away. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the thigh pad behind square leg.

Across off, on a back of a length. Matt stabs it down from the crease.

On a back of a length, on middle. Renshaw tucks it to mid-wicket.

Matt Renshaw is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! A stunning catch by Bjorn Fortuin. South Africa strike right after the break. Oliver Peake had been playing uppishly in that region, and he has paid the price this time. He will have to wait for his maiden international fifty.  Full and wide on off. No half measures from Peake as he extends his hands and slams it away with no intention of keeping it along the ground. Fortuin springs himself to his left at backward point and dives to take a sharp grab. He manages to keep hold of the ball even as his elbows hit the ground. Corbin Bosch gives a bit of a send-off to the young man by celebrating right in his face. The match referee might call Bosch over for a cup of tea after the game.

DRINKS! Time for a hydration break. Australia have done decently well after losing Cooper Connolly. Oliver Peake and Alex Carey have navigated through a tricky phase and have now started to score a bit more freely, punishing the bad balls. South Africa will be itchy for a breakthrough as the Aussies still have plenty of batting to come. And if heading into the last 10 overs, Australia are just 3 or 4 down, they might be able to accelerate with ease. The next few overs could well shape this first innings, so let's get back to it.

A 4th dot in a row to close out the over. This is pushed through, a bit short, on off. Alex whips it to mid-wicket from the crease.

Flighted delivery, on off. Carey lunges and flicks it with the spin to mid-wicket.

Slower through the air, short and on off, punched to cover off the back foot.

Tosses it up, on off. Alex reaches across and hangs low as he paddles it to short fine leg.

Flatter trajectory and it is not all that short, angled into the left-hander. Peake swivels and jabs it through square leg for a run.

Speared in very full, on middle. Carey leans across and sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

Bjorn Fortuin comes back on.

A misfield, but that was hit really hard. Back of a length and outside off, Peake laces the cut towards point, where Bjorn Fortuin makes a half-stop, parrying it behind. The batters pick up two runs.

FOUR! Another short ball, this time at the hips. Oliver Peake plays a duck-pull and somehow manages to get it fine of the fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Oh, my! That didn't look comfortable at all, but Peake gets away with it. A heavy short ball, right at the batter. Oliver Peake takes his eyes off the ball and leans back but the ball gets big on him. Peake ends up nearly chipping it back to the bowler, but thankfully for him, the ball falls well short.

A bit indecisive from the batters, but they get away with it. Hard length on off, angling across off. Carey gets an inside edge onto the pads, and the ball falls just past the off stump. Peake calls him for the single and Carey hustles across eventually.

Pitched-up delivery on off, hitting the deck hard at 143 clicks. Carey gets on the front foot, and taps it down to mid off.

A full ball, slanting it just across the off stump. Peake stays back, driving it square through the off side for a single.

Pace back on through Corbin Bosch.

Fractionally short around off, cut away from deep inside the crease and to the right of deep point for a run.

SIX! That's a solid hit! A real drag-down by Markram, over middle. Oliver Peake goes onto the back foot and tonks the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

A low full toss on middle and leg, pushed down to long on for just a single by Carey.

Flatter delivery on off, punched away through wide mid off for a single.

Floated up this time, full and on leg. Oliver Peake clips it gently to mid-wicket.

Fullish length, darted in towards the middle stump. Peake opts to defend it off the back foot.

No run, that is punched off the back foot but straight to the fielder.

SIX! Shouts of 'catch it,' but that's sailed over the fence. Stubbs drags the length a bit short and Carey is onto it in a flash. Carey rocks back and swings it flat and hard in front of deep square leg, pciking up six runs.

Stubbs attacks the stumps again, Carey hangs back to defend.

Flatter one at the stumps, Carey plays it back to the bowler.

Nice and full, around off, jammed out to covers.

Now, did that carry? Stubbs bowls it into the turf, darting it in over middle. Oliver Peake rocks back to play a short-arm jab, but hits it straight back. Stubbs dives to his left on the follow-through, but the ball just lands short and goes past his fingers for a single.

Quicker one on off, sliding through. Peake makes a bit of room and pats it down through the point region for one more. 7 easy runs off that over.

On the shorter side, sliding it back in from off. Carey rocks back and punches it through extra cover for a single.

Good cricket all-around. Tossed up at the stumps, Alex Carey brings out the reverse and nails it past point. Tony de Zorzi at sweeper cover runs to his right and dives in, saving it with both hands, and the batters only get two runs.

Good length around off, tossed up a bit more. Peake pushes it away towards cover-point and picks up a single.

A bit slow and short, turning away from outside off. Carey makes room and cuts it through covers for one more.

A flighted ball, full on middle and leg. Peake takes the front leg out and plays it along the ground to long on for a single.

Nagging length on middle, angled in. Carey flicks it across to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on off and middle, driven straight down the ground. Peake calls for two but the fielder at long on is quick to cut it off to his right. Single taken.

Oh, that's nearly snuck through. Lobbed up on off, drifting in. Peake looks to lean ahead and cover drive but gets a big inside edge onto the pads.

Fuller now, drifted into the pads. Peake keeps it out with a straight bat.

Quick and short at 94.2 kph, cut away off the back foot through backward point for one more.

Floated up, nice and full around off. Peake backs away and drives it down to deep extra cover for a run.

More spin as Tristan Stubbs has been tossed the ball.

Flatter and on middle, hit away off the back foot and down to long on for a run.

Good length on off, Peake rocks back and taps it down to the right of the bowler.

Fullish length, sliding it down the leg side at nearly 91 clicks. Carey goes back in his crease, angling it behind square leg for a single.

Excellent review! Flighted up by Aiden Markram, drifting it into the pads. Carey moves across to the off side and looks to sweep it fine but misses and wears it on the pad. There is a huge and prolonged appeal, and eventually the umpire raises his finger. This seemed to be really close, and Alex Carey has reviewed it. The third umpire checks UltraEdge, which takes time to build up first, and finds that there is a huge underedge off the bat. The on-field decision is changed to Not Out.

Tossed up, full and on off, Carey strokes it away to extra cover this time.

Fired in towards the pads, a bit fuller as well. Carey nudges it to wide mid on.

FOUR! Shouts of 'catch it,' but that's flown away to the fence. Short of a length, wide outside off. Oliver Peake waits back and uses quick hands to cut it over backward point for another boundary.

A proper bumper, over leg stump, and Peake ducks under it well.

WIDE! The keeper nearly gets cleaned up here. Good length but darted down the leg side. Quinton de Kock moves to his right but the ball starts to shape back into him very late, and he has to just move his head back and make a stop with the gloves.

FOUR! A change in angle, but it works against the bowler. Coetzee comes around the wicket, bowling a cross-seam short ball, wide of the off stump. Peake backs away and slashes it up and over backward point for a boundary.

Short of a length, over middle and leg at 147.2 kph. Peake hops up, moving to the leg side and taps it down to backward point.

Length ball, wide outside off. Carey collapses the front knee a bit and slams it to sweeper cover for a run.

Really full and outside off, angling away. Carey jams the bat down, pushing the ball towards cover.

Darted in at 95.2 kph, a bit fuller and on off. Peake hangs back and is late to get his bat down, jamming it behind point in the end.

Nicely drifted into the pads, Peake looks to get forward but has to adjust again and blocks it off.

Good length on middle and leg, Peake sits down and sweeps it away behind square leg, picking up a couple of runs.

On a length, sliding it into the leg pole. Peake hops back, gets a bit side on and blocks it off.

Markram sees Peake stepping out and flattens it up, firing the ball in. Peake adjusts well and solidly blocks it off.

Nagging length around off, Peake opts to play it off the back foot, stabbing it down to backward point.

Good length in the channel, angling in a bit with some extra bounce. Carey shoulders arms.

A heavy short ball, bashed into the pitch and attacking the bodyline. Oliver Peake hops up and manages to bunt it into the off side for a single.

WIDE! A full ball, pushed well wide of the off stump, and angling further away. Left alone by Peake.

Good follow-up delivery. Pitched full and on off, angling it away. Peake's feet go nowhere and he tries to push it out off th back foot, but the ball darts past the outside edge.

Back to over the wicket for Peake. A quick bumper, over the right shoulder, and Peake ducks under it.

Oh, that's well played in the end. Coetzee comes around the wicket and bowls an awkward bumper, right at the batter, and at 146.7 kph. Carey hops up and fends it through square leg for one

FOUR! Two is the initial call, but Alex Carey has timed it to perfection. Back of a length, offering some width outside the off stump. Carey stays leg side of the ball and slaps it away to the right of deep backward point for a boundary.

Quiet over, and a tidy start by Markram, just 3 off it. Flighted up, on middle and leg, drifting in. Oliver Peake defends it under the eyes.

Full again, on middle, and this is driven down to long on for a single.

Fuller now, at the stumps, and angling it in. Carey tucks it across to mid-wicket.

Dragged well short and around off, Peake rocks back and punches it down to sweeper cover for one more.

Fired in on a good length, wide outside off. Carey cuts it down to deep third for a single.

A bit of a mix-up, and that's excellent fielding from Tristan Stubbs. Shorter one outside off, Carey rocks back and punches it towards cover. The batters set off for the single, but Stubbs makes a diving stop. The batters retreat but Stubbs scores a direct hit at the keeper's head. Replays show that Carey saved himself with a big dive.

We are 20 overs into this Australian innings and the scoring rate is hovering around 6.5 runs an over. And now, Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack.

There's the one-two punch. After pushing the left-hander on the back foot with the short ball, Coetzee pitches it up now, angling away. Peake is rooted to the crease and has a fiddle at the ball, getting beaten on the outside edge.

A man comes in at short leg and Gerald Coetzee dishes out a bumper, over middle. Oliver Peake hurriedly ducks under it.

Angled away, not all that short. Carey presses back, gets on top of the bounce and punches it past the diving point fielder for a single.

Hits the back of a length, on middle. Carey rides the bounce and tucks it in front of mid-wicket with soft hands. They think about the single but eventually decide against it with Carey sending his partner back.

A slight halt as Alex Carey seems unhappy with his bat. He asks for a change, and it is Marnus Labuschagne who brings out a couple of different bats to choose from. Carey finally goes for one that he likes, and we are good to continue.

A play and a miss! At 145 kph, angled away and the length stays full. Carey goes hard on the drive but is beaten for pace.

A half-volley, wide on off. Carey gets his hands through the line of the ball and crunches the drive but can't get it past Bjorn Fortuin at backward point. A couple of yards to the either side and it would have been a boundary.

This is on a good length, on middle. Oliver stays back to stab it down.

FOUR LEG BYES! On the pads, on the fuller side. Peake fails to lay any bat on the tickle. It brushes the pads and goes behind, where Quinton de Kock dives to his right and gets a bit of a hand on it, but it is not enough as the ball trickles to the fence.

Nqobani Mokoena has been a little too straight this over, but he so nearly got a wicket here. Hits the hard length, around the ribs of the batter. Peake gets on his toes to fend it down, but the ball gets big on him. It lobs off the gloves but drops shot of the backward point fielder who came charging in.

Wide. Dug in short, around leg. It is too high as Oliver Peake ducks under it.

Another ball at the pads, on a good length. Alex nudges it square on the leg side and rotates the strike.

Wide! Sprays it down leg. Carey fails to help it away.

Nibbling away off the seam, on a back of a length, on middle. Oliver hangs back to deal with it but is squared up due to the seam movement. The outside edge goes down to deep third for a run.

Too straight, at the pads. Carey misses out on the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball drops beside the strip on the leg side.

Drifts at the hips, on a back of a length. Alex glances it down to deep fine leg for another single.

Cranked up at 147.9 kph, on a length, angled in at the off stump. Peake stays on the back foot to a ball he was better off being forward to. He stays beside the line as well, but somehow manages to get it away towards deep third. They cross.

Fuller in length and near the tramline. Carey goes chasing at the ball but mistimes the drive through covers for a single.

Digs it in short at 140.9 kph, on off. Carey stands tall, gets his hands high and dabs it to backward point.

Bowled on a good length, in the channel. Carey's feet go nowhere and he has a tentative push at the ball. It goes more off the outer half to cover.

Alex Carey walks in at number 5. Also, the schedule for the Cricket World Cup is set to be released tomorrow, October 1, in Cape Town. As many as 14 teams will partake in cricket's grandest event, and we will have a different format from the last couple of editions - exciting times for everyone.

OUT! CASTLED! That's what an extra bit of pace can do. An absolute corker of a yorker. Steams in from around the wicket and holds the ball cross-seam as he nails the yorker at 145 kph. It is right in the blockhole, on off and middle. Connolly is late to get his bat down, and the ball sneaks under the blade before shattering the stumps. End of a 24-run stand. Australia are now 3 down for 118.

Gerald Coetzee (3-0-30-0) is back on.

Good change-up! Takes all the pace off, does Mokoena, keeping it around leg, on a length. Peake clears the front leg and has a big heave across the line but is undone by the slowness of the ball and he fails to connect.

Had to hurry! On off, on a back of a length. Connolly knocks it between cover and mid off and scampers through for a quick single. Oh, Mokoena has overstepped. No Ball called. Free Hit is coming up.

There still seems to be some movement off the surface if you hit the right lengths. From over the wicket, nipping away off the seam, on a nagging length, on middle. Peake is squared up in defence. It squirts off the outer half down to deep third. Single taken.

A little too straight, at the pads, this is helped down to deep fine leg. They cross.

Stays at the stumps, on a good length. Cooper clips it from the crease to mid-wicket.

Angled in at the sticks. Connolly eases this full ball back to the bowler.

At the hips, on a back of a length. Peake hops across and tugs it in front of deep square leg. They think about the second run but the fielder attacks the ball and keeps the batters down to a single.

Slightly on the shorter side, on off. Connolly walks across the stumps and scoops it away. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence and it is cut off by Nqobani Mokoena running to his left in the deep. Two runs taken.

Not all that short, angled away. Peake stays back and pats it through covers for another single.

From around the wicket now, this is slowed down, on a length. Oliver nudges it to mid-wicket.

Quicker and fuller too, on off. Connolly punches it past cover and turns the strike over.

Drags the length back, on middle. Peake mistimes the pull off the back foot to deep square leg for one more.

At 84.3 kph, short and a bit of turn, on middle. Connolly punches it to long on for a single.

DRINKS! It all seems too familiar for Australia. The openers have dominated proceedings in the first Powerplay, but once again, South Africa have pulled things back. Mitchell Marsh looked in scintillating touch, but with both openers now back in the dugout, the role of Cooper Connolly becomes all the more crucial. The hosts, on the other hand, will be looking to keep putting on the squeeze and get that scoring rate down, because it is still over 7 an over.

On the pads, on a good length. Cooper flicks it past mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single.

A bit of yes and no. This is on a nagging length, on middle. Cooper pushes out in front of his body. Peake is keen for a single and sets off before being sent back. The mid on fielder misses his shy at the bowling end but it would not have mattered as Peake was in by then.

Goes fuller now, on off. Cooper defends it from the crease.

FOUR! In the gap. Dug in short, over middle. Connolly stands tall and swivels to nail the pull. Hits it flat and well away to the left of the man at deep square leg for a four.

A bit fuller, on middle. Connolly knocks it down the deck but it is played too straight and crashes into the sticks.

Nice and tight, on a good length. Cooper keeps it out from the crease.

FOUR! Off the edge. Full and around off, this does not turn. Peake has a tentative prod at the ball but he does so with soft hands. The ball catches the outside edge and does not carry to Aiden Markram at slip. It bounces past him and trickles down to the fence as Matthew Breetzke gives chase. Breetzke slides to push the ball away but the batters had anyway run four. The third umpire check shows that Breetzke was in contact with the boundary cushions when he flicked the ball away, so it will be a boundary.

Not in control but safe. Drops it short, on middle. Peake goes on the back foot for the pull but ends up spooning it behind square leg in the big gap. Oliver comes back for the second run before the throw comes in.

This is quicker but the length stays short, on of. Oliver taps it to cover.

Stays short, on middle. Cooper flicks it with the spin in front of square on the leg side for one.

Short and spinning back in on middle. Peake goes back in the crease and flicks it away through square leg for a single.

The next batter is Oliver Peake.

OUT! LBW! Bjorn Fortuin gets the big fish. Drifting in, on a length, around the off pole. Marsh drops to a knee and leans across to play the paddle. The ball comes in with the arm and sneaks past the bat to catch the Aussie skipper on the back leg. A prolonged appeal and the finger is raised. Mitchell Marsh is not sure and has a word with Cooper Connolly before taking the review.  Flat line on UltraEdge and it is three reds on Ball Tracking, with the ball crashing into the middle stump. Marsh began to walk off as soon as the replays came up on the big screen, and he will have to keep walking. A good knock by the captain, but Australia ideally needed more from him given the middle order woes.

In line with the off stump, the length is pushed up. Marsh drops it with soft hands to the right of cover and hurries to the other end.

And again, but this time, Cooper gets a single. Across off, on a short of a length. Connolly looks to force it through the off side but the ball catches the inner half and goes past Tony de Zorzi at mid-wicket.

On a back of a length, on middle. Cooper stays rooted to the crease and pushes at the ball with hard hands. Miscues it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Into the wicket, over off. Connolly hangs back to defend.

A bit fuller, width offered. Marsh firms the drive on the up to deep cover. They cross.

Bowled on a hard length, outside off. Marsh presses up on his toes and flays it away but picks out Bjorn Fortuin at backward point, who makes a sharp stop by being low to the ground.

Nqobani Mokoena is now introduced into the attack.

From around the wicket, dropped short, on off. Marsh slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Hangs it up now, on off, Connolly walks across a touch and nurdles it behind square leg for a single.

Four dots in a row! Fractionally short, on middle. Cooper tucks it to mid-wicket.

Nearly went to hand! Pushed through and the length is dragged back, on off. Connolly tries to push it down the ground but chips it to the right of the bowler on the bounce.

More air on this one, full and on off. Connolly wrists it wide of mid-wicket but the fielder cuts it off with a slide.

Nicely tossed up, on a good length, a hint of turn, on middle. Connolly blocks it out off the front foot.

Hits the good length, honing in on the off stump. Marsh stabs it down with a straight bat.

At 137.7 kph, on the fuller side, on off. Cooper knocks it wide of mid off. Ryan Rickelton is swift to his right and tumbles away to keep the batters down to a single.

At the sticks, on a length. Connolly brings his bat out in front and taps it to mid on.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Bosch angles it across the left-hander, a bit too full. Connolly leans across and angles the bat face to stroke it past the diving cover fielder for a four.

Stays full, but the line is tighter around the off stump. Marsh leans into the straight drive. Bosch gets a hand on the ball on the follow-through, low to his left, parrying it wide of mid off for one.

Full and wide on off. Connolly throws his hands at the ball with his feet going nowhere. The outside edge goes down to deep third for a single.

Time for Powerplay 2. South Africa can now have 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over. The home side will welcome the extra protection as they look to bring some control to the proceedings.

DROPPED! Should have been taken, and Matthew Breetzke will be very disappointed in himself.  Bjorn Fortuin floats this one up, sliding it wide outside off. Connolly leans across to drive, but slices it over the fielder at short cover. Breetzkee leaps up to his left and tries to take it with both hands, but the ball slips through, resulting in a single. Australia are 82/1 after 10 overs, but they really should have been 2 down.

Pushed through a bit more, just down leg. Connolly tickles it towards short fine leg.

Nagging length, getting it to drift from leg to middle. Connolly hangs back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Flatter again, angled in with the arm, towards the pads. Marsh stays back and dabs it between square leg and mid-wicket for one more.

Good length on the pads, worked away off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Flatter one around off, drifts across the left-hander. Connolly stands tall and hits it to cover.

First look at spin as Bjorn Fortuin has been introduced into the attack.

Full and wide outside off, inviting the drive. Marsh smothers it off the toe-end of the bat towards cover.

Off the edge! Pitched up in the channel, shaping it across the left-hander. Cooper Connolly leans on to drive but gets an outside edge down to deep third for a single.

Success at last for South Africa. One left-hander replaces the other. Cooper Connolly walks in at number 3.

OUT! DRAGGED IT ON! That's the length to bowl to Travis Head, and Corbin Bosch breaks the 78-run opening stand. Bosch hits the deck hard again, bowling it back of a length and on a tight line around off stump. Head leans back to pull, but it isn't short enough, and it's too close to the body as well. Head gets a massive inside edge, and the ball goes back on to castle into the stumps. A much-needed breakthrough for the Proteas, but the Aussies are still flying.

FOUR! Inconsistent lengths are costing the Protea bowlers big time here. Bosch goes full now, angling it across off. Head takes a step forward and hammers it over covers for another boundary.

Oh, that wasn't there to be pulled. Bashed into the deck, around the top of off. Head looks to pull it away but the ball goes past the inside edge instead.

FOUR! Airborne, but never in any danger of being caught. Hard length, pushed wide of the off stump. Travis Head extends the arms, thwacking the ball away flat over covers for a boundary.

In the air, but it will clear the infield, and that brings up the FIFTY for Mitchell Marsh. Pitched up around off, shaping away. Marsh goes for the lofted drive down the ground, but slices it this time, getting it over cover-point. The ball plugs in the outfield and Marsh picks up two runs. Yet another fiery start for the Aussie skipper.

Similar length to the last ball, pushed a bit wide of the off stump. Marsh hangs back to smack it past covers, but gets it off the inside half of tha blade, jamming it into the off side.

Back of a length, over off and middle, Marsh rocks back to defend.

FOUR! That's poor from Williams. Short of a good length, angling down leg. Marsh helps it on its way, and the ball races well to the right of short fine leg for a boundary. Marsh moves on to 49 now.

SIX! Clean as! Pitched full and straight, scrambled seam but it is right in the slot. Mitchell Marsh leans in and just lofts it straight back down the ground for a biggie.

Short of a good length, around off, and going straight on. Marsh rocks back and pushes it down with a straight bat towards mid off. Uh, oh! Lizaad Williams has overstepped here. A No Ball is called, and a Free Hit to follow as well.

Good-length ball, angled back in a long way from outside off. Marsh stays back to punch it away, but the ball darts back in and catches Marsh in the groin region once again.

A double change? Nope. Aiden Markram is persisting with Lizaad Williams.

Nice and full, trying to shape it back into the off pole. Head punches it into the turf and straight to mid off for another dot. Australia are 57/0 after the first 7 overs.

Pitched up fuller around off, Head digs it out towards cover.

FOUR! In the air, but well wide of the fielder in the deep. A tad shorter and well wide outside off. Head decides to throw his hands at it, slashing it to the left of Lizaad Williams at deep third for a boundary.

Good length in the channel, Head stays compact and punches it in front of point.

What is with Travis Head and these inside edges? Full of a good length, slanted across off. Head stays low to cut but gets a bottom edge that misses the off pole and goes straight down to the keeper. Quinton de Kock reacts sharply and sticks out his right glove to stop a boundary.

Bosch starts from a bit wider on the crease, bowling it at around 140 clicks. This one hits the deck hard and angles in towards middle. Marsh tucks it past square leg and picks up a single.

Hashim Amla feels it is time for South Africa to change the pace of the game and turn to spin. Will Aiden Markram make that change? There is a change in bowling, but no spin just yet. Here's Corbin Bosch.

Hard length again, pushed into the pads. Marsh misses the flick and gets it off the legs to square leg for a leg bye.

Back of a length, in the channel, nudged off the back foot down to backward point.

Hard length over off and middle, Marsh hangs back and smothers it to the leg side.

FOUR! Fine shot. Good-length delivery on middle, not overpitched by any means. Marsh just hits through the line of the ball and lifts it high towards long on for another boundary. 50 up for Australia.

FOUR! Another easy delivery to put away for Mitch, and he doesn't miss out. Bowled with a scrambled seam, pitched too full and angled into the leg stump. Mitchell Marsh flicks it uppishly but through the big gap at mid-wicket for a boundary.

Pitched up on middle and leg, tucked away neatly to the left of the mid on fielder for a quick run.

FOUR! Since that maiden first over, Mitchell Marsh has been sizing up Gerald Coetzee really well. Pitched up on a good length, shaping it away from around off. Marsh hits with the shape, launching it high over wide mid off and the ball lands a few yards before the ropes, trickling into the fence eventually.

FOUR! Too much width on offer. Banged in short and wide outside off. Mitchell Marsh rocks back, throws his hands at the ball, scything it over the backward point region for a boundary.

Hard length around leg, Head misses the tickle and the ball goes off his pads down to fine leg. A leg bye is taken.

FOUR! Drilled back past the bowler! A scrambled-seam delivery on off and middle, a bit too full. Travis Head hits it on the up, nailing it straight down the ground for a boundary.

A smidge fuller than the last ball, but bowled at the pads. Head is caught on the crease as he dabs it across to square leg.

Good length, at 142.3 kph and angling away from middle and off. Head stays back and angles it towards backward point.

Back of a length, angled back in from outside off. Marsh stays back to defend. Just a single off the over.

Pitched up, in and around off, Marsh leans halfway to flick but fails to get it away.

That's jagged back in a fair bit. Good length, landing it outside off. Marsh leaves it on height, and the ball nips back in to hit him on the outside half of his right thigh pad.

Oh, that could have easily gone back onto the stumps. A touch fuller from Lizaad and around off, Head goes on one knee, looking to smack it over covers, but gets an inside edge past the stumps to fine leg for a single.

Length again, this time a tighter line on off and middle. Head tries to make room and cut, but mistimes it down to point.

Good length around middle, shaping it back in. Head hops to flick but plays all over it and gets hit high on the pads.

Good effort in the field. Good length, but wide outside off. Head stays low and slaps it down to the left of cover. Tony de Zorzi dives across and makes a half-stop, keeping it down to just a single.

Better line and length from Coetzee. Pitched up a bit around the fifth stump line. Marsh is late to leave the ball, and runs it off the face of the blade down to deep third for a single.

Hard length, shaping away from off. Marsh stays back and pushes it down between point and covers, picking up a couple of runs more.

Have we lost the ball? It appears to have been retrieved, but the umpires seem to have spotted a damp patch around the mid-wicket region and have asked the ground staff to put some sawdust on it.

SIX! Mitchell Marsh is in full flow now. Short of a length and over middle, sitting up nicely for the batter. The Bison leans back and lays into the shot, whacking the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 14 off the over already.

FOUR! Very high, but well over the infield as well. Dug in short and wide outside off, getting it to move away a bit. Mitchell Marsh hangs back and fetches the ball, pulling it off the toe end of the blade and towards cow corner for another boundary.

FOUR! A little too straight, and that's a boundary all day long. Overpitched on the pads, angling down leg, Marsh flicks it handsomely down to fine leg and the ball flies to the fence.

Full of a good length, on middle and leg, Marsh clips it wide of mid on for a single. 10 runs off Lizaad Williams' first over, so contrasting starts for South Africa's new-ball bowlers.

FOUR! Marsh has had enough, it seems. Williams errs on the shorter side, and the ball just sits up for the batter. Marsh pulls it off his chest and flat-bats it through square leg for four runs.

Pitched fuller and a bit wider of the off stump. Mitchell Marsh leaves it alone.

Ooh, that's a tough one for Marsh to face. A length ball on off, cutting back in sharply off the deck. Marsh gets caught on the crease and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Back of a length, slanted across the left-hander. Head hops back and jabs the hands at it, angling it down to deep backward point for a single.

FOUR! A cracking start for Travis Head, and Australia are up and running as well. On the shorter side and at the pads, Head hangs back and plays a whippy pull shot past square leg for a boundary.

A probing first over by Gerald Coetzee. Lizaad Williams will steam in from the other end.

Gerald Coetzee and South Africa begin with a maiden! Bashed in on a hard length around off, and this one darts back in a bit sharply. Mitchell Marsh is taken aback and gets hit around the groin region.

No run there! Coetzee slides this one into the pads, angling it in this time. Marsh misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to square leg. Marsh wants the leg bye but Travis Head sends him back.

Lovely channel once again. Good length, nibbling away from around the top of off stump. Marsh stays upright and stabs it down to cover-point.

A bit fuller and straighter too, trying to swing it away. Marsh gets nicely forward and punches it towards mid on.

And again. Mitchell Marsh pulls out just as Gerald Coetzee is about to start his run-up. Aiden Markram takes matters into his own hands as he walks over to have a word with a member of the ground staff and sorts out the issue.

Excellent line from Gerald. A bit fuller and on off and middle, shaping away again. Marsh makes another solid block, this time off the front foot.

A slight hold-up as Mitchell Marsh is unhappy with some movement behind the bowler's arm. It has been sorted and we are good to go.

Just a hint of movement. Coetzee lands it short of a good length, getting the ball to move away from the off stump. Mitchell Marsh presses up on his toes and blocks it off.

We are all set to go. The worst of the weather appears to be behind us, although there is still a bit of cloud cover. The two umpires lead the way, followed by Aiden Markram and his men as they take the field. It will be the left-hand, right-hand combination of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh to open the innings for Australia. Gerald Coetzee has the new ball in hand and is ready at the top of his mark. Marsh to face the first ball. There are two slips in place. Here we go...

PITCH REPORT - Vernon Philander is down by the pitch, and he expects the surface to offer some assistance with the new ball, particularly after spending time under covers. There is some dryness to the pitch too, which could bring the spinners into play as the game progresses. The average first-innings score here is around 320, although Philander suggests Australia may need to lower their sights today given the conditions.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Tony de Zorzi (In for Temba Bavuma), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (In for David Miller), Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch (In for Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee (In for Duan Jansen), Bjorn Fortuin, Nqobani Mokoena (In for Keshav Maharaj), and Lizaad Williams.

Australia (Playing XI) - Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Oliver Peake (In for Jack Edwards), Alex Carey (WK), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (In for Nathan Ellis), Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Starc (In for Josh Hazlewood), and Adam Zampa.

Australia's skipper - Mitchell Marsh says that it's a shame that the series is done, but there's a lot to play for. Adds that they have a few changes, some of them forced as well, but the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Oliver Peake come in. Marsh adds that they want to win the game and improve in the areas that they have been lacking in on this tour so far. On the wicket, he says that reading the pitch isn't really anyone's strength, but the pitch and the ground look good. He feels that they might have to grind a bit early on with the bat, which he doesn't mind, but would have preferred for the conditions to have been a bit warmer.

The stand-in captain for South Africa - Aiden Markram says they will bowl first, with the weather and the pitch having been under covers influencing the decision. If there is any assistance on offer, he expects it to be early on, before the surface settles down. Informs that they have made 5 changes, with Ryan Rickelton, Tony de Zorzi, Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Nqobani Mokoena coming into the XI. Markram says it is largely about rotation, with one eye on the Test series, while also giving another opportunity to the players who performed well in the first game.

TOSS - The two captains are out there in the middle, and it will be Aiden Markram captaining South Africa today. The coin flip lands in Markram's favour, and South Africa will BOWL first.

11.22 am GMT - There is an update from the ground. The inspection was scheduled for a few minutes before, and the umpires have now decided that the toss will take place at 11.30 am GMT, and the play will start at 12 pm GMT. We shall also have the toss and team news soon, so stay tuned.

11.04 am GMT - Toss delayed - The broadcasters come live, and we can see that there's no rain at the moment. However, conditions are a bit gloomy, and Pommie Mbangwa confirms that there was rain last night and earlier in the day - and hence, we will have a delay at the start. Probably not a long one, though, which is good news.

The weather in focus - There has been plenty of rain in the Highveld region in the past couple of days, but it seems like the worst of it has passed since last night. The skies in Potchefstroom will be gloomy, and the overall air will be pretty chilly. Let's hope that we do not get any further rain today, but we might have to wait and see if there's any sort of a delay to begin with or not. Stay tuned for the toss and team news, and any news regarding the weather as well.

Expected changes on the way - Both sides will most likely tinker with their squads. Australia have injury concerns and might even rest Josh Hazlewood. Pat Cummins might come in, and if he does, he will get some quality game time ahead of the Test series. South Africa might also look to rotate their squad, or will they try to keep things simple and push for a clean sweep? We shall find out.

One final bout - Hello, and a warm welcome to our coverage of the 3rd and final ODI between South Africa and Australia in Potchefstroom. With the series already going the way of the Proteas, this match serves as an important juncture before the players move on to the red-ball leg of the series, and neither will be looking to back down from the fight.

... MATCH DAY ...

It's all about momentum - The three-match ODI series between South Africa and Australia moves to its final chapter at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, with the Proteas already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead. South Africa won the opening ODI in Durban by 67 runs before producing another impressive all-round performance at Johannesburg to win the second match by 32 runs. Although the series is decided, the third ODI remains significant for both sides. South Africa will be looking to complete a clean sweep and maintain the momentum they have built ahead of their upcoming three-Test series against Australia, while Australia will want to finish the ODI leg with a victory and avoid heading into the red-ball format without a win. Proteas' bilateral dominance over the Aussies - South Africa have been impressive in both matches, combining substantial batting performances with disciplined bowling. Their victory in Durban was built around a 297/8 total before Australia were dismissed for 230, while the second ODI turned into a high-scoring contest in Johannesburg, where the Proteas posted 365/9 and then defended the total successfully, notching up yet another ODI series win over Australia, who last won a series against the African opponents in late 2014. The second match particularly highlighted the depth of South Africa's batting. Temba Bavuma scored a composed 103 from 116 balls, while David Miller produced an explosive 142 from only 93 deliveries. Their 156-run partnership transformed South Africa's innings after Australia had made early breakthroughs. The lower order then added valuable runs to push the total beyond 360. Bavuma's return to the ODI side has therefore been an important feature of the series. The captain has provided stability at the top while players such as Miller have supplied the acceleration through the middle and later stages. Quinton de Kock and Matthew Breetzke also give South Africa attacking options at the top of the order. The challenge for Australia - Australia's ODI campaign has not gone according to plan. They have been competitive in periods of both matches but have been unable to sustain that pressure for 50 overs. Their second-innings chase in Johannesburg demonstrated their batting potential, with Mitchell Marsh making 84 from 53 balls and Travis Head scoring 84 from 76. Australia reached 333 but ultimately fell 32 runs short. The opening partnership between Marsh and Head will again be an important component of Australia's strategy. Their aggressive approach can put South Africa's bowlers under pressure early, but Australia will need greater contributions from the middle order if they are to chase or build a large total. The visitors also have several players capable of producing a decisive performance. Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Cooper Connolly and Alex Carey all have the ability to extend an innings, while Adam Zampa provides an important wicket-taking option in the middle overs. Bowlers could be decisive - The bowling contest could determine whether Australia can finally break through South Africa's top order. Josh Hazlewood has already shown his quality during the series. He removed Markram with the first ball of the second ODI and then dismissed de Kock shortly afterwards, finishing with three wickets. However, a huge blow to Australia will be the ruling out of Nathan Ellis, who injured himself in the second game. Ellis has been the team's most consistent performer with the ball, but we might see someone like Pat Cummins finally make an appearance. Jack Edwards was another positive for Australia in Johannesburg. Playing only his second ODI, he claimed five wickets for 67 runs and provided Australia with regular breakthroughs. If Australia's attack can reproduce that sort of wicket-taking pressure, South Africa's middle order could be tested more severely. For South Africa, Lizaad Williams was influential in the second ODI, taking three wickets for 54 runs. Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin also contributed two wickets each, giving Temba Bavuma several options throughout the innings. While Kagiso Rabada remains a noteworthy absence, the spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Bjorn Fortuin and even Aiden Markram have done really well, and once again will be key for the Proteas. The conditions - The final ODI will be played at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, a venue that will provide a different challenge from Kingsmead and the Wanderers. Unlike the first two matches, this match is scheduled as a day-night encounter, with the later stages potentially bringing different conditions for the two innings. For the batters, the major challenge will be balancing the need to score quickly with the importance of preserving wickets. A strong start could be particularly valuable in a 50-over match, but both teams will know that the middle overs could determine the final score. Form (Last 5 ODIs, most recent first) - SA - WWWWW | AUS - LLWWW. What to expect? South Africa enter the final ODI with considerable momentum after winning both games convincingly enough to secure the series. Their batting has produced two strong totals, while their bowling attack has repeatedly found important wickets when Australia appeared to be building partnerships. Australia, however, have shown enough with both bat and ball to suggest that the final match could be considerably closer. Their challenge will be to maintain pressure for longer periods and convert promising passages into a complete performance. With the series already decided, South Africa have an opportunity to finish with a 3-0 sweep, while Australia have the chance to salvage a victory and carry some momentum into the Test series. The clash at Potchefstroom therefore remains an important final examination for both teams despite the absence of series uncertainty. Who are you backing for the win?