Great Barrier Reef Arena। August 22 2025। SKY LINK TIMES।
Australia’s miserable run in one-day internationals continued on Friday as they slumped to a heavy 84-run defeat against South Africa in , Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, handing the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The loss marked Australia’s seventh defeat in their last eight ODIs, exposing glaring weaknesses in their batting lineup following the recent 50-over retirements of stalwarts Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell.
South Africa set the tone
Opting to bat first, South Africa posted 277 runs before being bowled out with five deliveries remaining. The Proteas looked on course for a score well beyond 300 but were tied down in the death overs by Australia’s bowlers. Marnus Labuschagne, struggling with the bat, chipped in with two wickets (2-19) in a rare bright spot for the hosts.
Inglis fights a lone battle
Chasing 278, Australia’s batting woes resurfaced almost immediately. Travis Head (6) fell in the third over, followed by Labuschagne (1) in the very next. With wickets tumbling, Josh Inglis stood tall, making batting look effortless as he unleashed crisp drives and a commanding hook shot on his way to 87 off 74 balls.
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However, just when he appeared set for a second ODI century, Inglis threw it away with a rash stroke, caught behind off Lungi Ngidi. His dismissal triggered a collapse, with Australia losing 4 wickets for just 9 runs and folding in the 38th over for 193. Cameron Green’s 35 was the only other notable contribution.
Ngidi delivers in Rabada’s absence
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was the hero for South Africa, delivering a match-winning spell of 5-42 — his second five-wicket haul in ODIs. He filled the void left by injured spearhead Kagiso Rabada with pace and accuracy, dismantling Australia’s middle and lower order with ease.
Australia’s crisis deepens
Australia’s ODI record since November makes for grim reading: just one win — against England in the Champions Trophy earlier this year — while suffering losses to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and now back-to-back defeats to South Africa.
The form of Labuschagne, already dropped from the Test squad, is a major concern. His scores of 1 and 1 in the series so far put his No.3 spot under serious scrutiny.
With one dead rubber game left in the series on Sunday, Australia’s team management faces tough questions about both form and future direction in the 50-over format.
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