Proteas complete comeback as Jansen destroys Aussies

Australia bungled a third consecutive run chase, this time in the face of a starring all-round effort from Marco Jansen that saw South Africa become just the sixth team in men's ODI history to come back from 0-2 down to win a series.

Prising away the attention of a sold-out Wanderers crowd from big screens showing the Springboks' Rugby World Cup 76-0 thumping of Romania in Bordeaux, Jansen followed a brutal cameo with the bat (47 off 23) by dismissing the visitors' entire top five in the Proteas' 122-run win in Johannesburg.

A sloppy fielding display from Australia had allowed the hosts to put together another imposing total, with Aiden Markram (93 off 87 balls) and David Miller (63 off 65) this time setting the platform for their side to reach 9-315.

Even so, captain Mitch Marsh (who scored 71 off 56 opening the batting in the injured Travis Head's absence) and Marnus Labuschagne (44 off 63) had the pursuit on track at 2-124 in the 20th over.

Keeping abreast of the asking rate has not been an issue for Marsh's men on this tour. Losing regular wickets through the middle overs has however been a recurring theme.

Jansen, having earlier dismissed David Warner (10) and Josh Inglis (duck) in the same over, then made use of his towering frame to remove Marsh, Labuschagne and Alex Carey in the space of seven deliveries, all with short balls.

Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who received a guard of honour from teammates in his final ODI at home having announced he will retire following the upcoming World Cup, signed off with a brilliant diving catch to remove his opposite number Carey.

When Tim David was dismissed for a third single-figure score of the series, Australia had lost 4-19.

By the time crafty left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj completed a career-best haul of 4-33, the collapse had registered at 8-69 to see Marsh's men skittled for 193.

It leaves Australia with plenty of work to do ahead of the World Cup getting underway next month. They will regain a host of star players, including captain Pat Cummins, for a three-match ODI series against India beginning in Mohali on Friday.

Inserted by Marsh, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed for a second-ball duck when he was slow setting off for a single after Sean Abbott hit him in the ribs. Labuschagne made no mistake with his throw, catching Bavuma well short with his direct at the non-striker's end.

It was the highlight of an otherwise lacklustre fielding effort.

Fresh off conceding a record 113 from his 10 overs at Pretoria two days prior, Adam Zampa (3-71) was the biggest victim of the untidiness as both Markram and Miller were dropped (on 79 and 45 respectively) off the leg-spinner's bowling.

The pair put on 109 for the fifth wicket after Zampa extracted revenge over fourth-ODI destroyer Heinrich Klaasen, who was bowled by the 31-year-old for six after his breathtaking century in the previous match, to leave the hosts on 4-103.

Marsh's gamble of throwing David the ball in the death overs paid off when the off-spinner became the first Australian man to take a wicket with his first ball in ODIs as Markram was caught on the boundary seven short of a third career ton.

But David undid his good work when he then dropped a straightforward catch off Jansen, who made the Aussies pay as he and Andile Phehlukwayo (39 off 19) smashed seven sixes between them.

Death-bowling specialist Nathan Ellis was not used in the final 10 overs due to a fitness concern, with Michael Neser instead entrusted with the last over, from which Phehlukwayo belted 24 runs.

Abbott was a bright spot with the ball in claiming the scalps of Rassie van der Dussen and Miller. The right-arm quick soldiered on after suffering a finger injury in the field, while Cameron Green was a handful in his return from a concussion.  

2023 Qantas ODIs v South Africa

September 7: Australia won by three wickets

September 9: Australia won by 123 runs

September 12: South Africa won by 111 runs

September 15: South Africa won by 164 runs

September 17: South Africa won by 122 runs

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Tanveer Sangha, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Brjor Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen