Miller, du Plessis power SA to series win

HOBART: David Miller and Faf du Plessis plundered big-hitting centuries in a batting masterclass as South Africa beat Australia by 40 runs to win their one-day series and inflict another defeat on Justin Langer’s misfiring side.

The pair shared a 252-run stand to power the Proteas to 320-5 in the third and final match in Hobart — a record fourth wicket partnership by South Africa against the hosts in Australia.They came together at 55-3 in the 16th over with Miller swatting 139 for his fifth limited-overs century and skipper du Plessis smashing 125 — his 10th one-day ton.

A composed Shaun Marsh cracked a fighting 106 in the run chase, ably supported by Marcus Stoinis (63) and Alex Carey (42) — an improvement on recent batting displays but still not good enough.

Pace spearheads Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn both took three wickets in controlled and disciplined spells.The victory handed South Africa their first ODI series win in Australia since 2009 and left Australia with plenty to ponder ahead of India’s arrival this month for a three-format tour.

Australian captain Aaron Finch praised the partnership between Marsh and Stoinis, but admitted the South African attack was too hot to handle.After winning the toss and putting the visitors into bat, Australia got a dream start with Quinton de Kock out in the third over.

Mitchell Starc did the damage, bowling a perfect line and length, with de Kock getting a tickle on the ball and wicketkeeper Carey taking the catch.Aiden Markram smashed three sixes on his way to 32.

But as he looked set for a big score, he flicked a Starc delivery down leg side to Carey, leaving South Africa struggling.Then hard-hitting Miller joined skipper du Plessis and the scoreboard began racing along. Du Plessis was dropped on 29 and Miller escaped an lbw dismissal on 41 that was overturned on review.

They made the most of their second lives and began swinging their bats as du Plessis reached his century in 105 balls with 11 fours and one six before falling to Stoinis going for another big hit at the death.

Miller made the landmark in 95 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.Australia experimented with Chris Lynn as opener for the run chase, but it spectacularly backfired when Steyn snared him for a golden duck.

Australia’s woes were compounded when Aaron Finch soon followed him back to the pavillon.

It was down to Marsh and Stoinis to open their shoulders and look for boundaries. They put on an impressive 107 before Stoinis was caught at backward point.Carey supported Marsh as he made his sixth one-day ton in 98 balls, with six fours and four sixes, before he was caught at deep midwicket and hope began to evaporate.

Australia won toss

South Africa

†Q de Kock c Carey b Starc 4

R Hendricks c Carey b Stoinis 8

A Markram c Carey b Starc 32

*F du Plessis c Marsh b Stoinis 125

H Klaasen not out 1

D Miller c Finch b Hazlewood 139

D Pretorius not out 1

Extras (lb2, b1, w7) 10

Total (5 wickets, 50 overs) 320

Did not bat: D Steyn, K Rabada, L Ngidi, Imran Tahir

Fall: 1-4, 2-26, 3-55, 4-307, 5-318

Bowling: Starc 10-1-57-2, Hazlewood 10-1-53-1, Cummins 10-2-67-0, Stoinis 7-0-70-2, Zampa 6-0-32-0, Maxwell 7-0-38-0

Australia

*A Finch c Rabada b Ngidi 11

C Lynn c de Kock b Steyn 0

S Marsh c Klaasen b Pretorius 106

T Head c Markram b Rabada 6

M Stoinis c Markram b Pretorius 63

†A Carey c de Kock b Steyn 42

G Maxwell c Hendricks b Steyn 35

P Cummins not out 7

M Starc c & b Rabada 0

A Zampa c du Plessis b Rabada 0

J Hazlewood not out 0

Extras (lb2, w8) 10

Total (9 wickets, 50 overs) 280

Fall: 1-1, 2-18, 3-39, 4-146, 5-226, 6-256, 7-278, 8-278, 9-278

Bowling: Steyn 10-0-45-3, Ngidi 10-0-56-1, Rabada 10-3-40-3, Imran 7-0-58-0, Pretorius 10-0-61-2, Markram 3-0-18-0

Result: South Africa won by 40 runs

Man of the Match: David Miller (South Africa)

Series: South Africa won the 3-match series 2-1

Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and Paul Wilson (Australia). TV umpire: Michael Gough (England). Match referee: Jeff Crowe (New Zealand)