South Africa has clinched their fifth consecutive ODI series victory over world champions Australia, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead with a comprehensive 84-run win in the second match in Mackay on Friday. A brilliant half-century from rising star Matthew Breetzke (88) and a devastating five-wicket haul from fast bowler Lungi Ngidi (5-42) were the cornerstones of the Proteas' dominant performance, which once again exposed the hosts' batting frailties.
After captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat, South Africa recovered from a shaky start that saw them reduced to 16-2 by Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett. Matthew Breetzke then took control, continuing his sensational start to his ODI career with an aggressive 88. He built crucial partnerships, first a 67-run stand with Tony de Zorzi (38) and then an 89-run partnership with Tristan Stubbs, whose impressive 74 helped propel the visitors to a competitive total of 277.
Australia's chase began poorly and never recovered. The top order collapsed under pressure, with Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, and captain Mitchell Marsh all dismissed cheaply. A 67-run partnership between Cameron Green (35) and Josh Inglis offered a glimmer of hope, but once that stand was broken, the Australian resistance crumbled. The middle and lower order failed to provide any support, leaving Inglis to wage a solitary battle.
In a lone-wolf effort, Josh Inglis played a superb hand, scoring 87 runs in an attempt to keep his team in the contest. However, his efforts were undone by a masterful spell of pace bowling from Lungi Ngidi. The South African speedster systematically dismantled the Australian lineup, finishing with figures of 5-42 and claiming the crucial wicket of Inglis to extinguish any remaining hope for the home side as they were bowled out for 193.
The victory was a significant achievement for a South African side missing key players like Kagiso Rabada. "It's a great feeling, of course, never an easy feat coming to Australia and wrapping up the series in two games," said a delighted Aiden Markram. His Australian counterpart, Mitchell Marsh, was left to rue another poor performance with the bat. "Disappointing... as a batting unit we just didn't get the job done tonight," Marsh said. With the series now decided, the third and final match on Sunday will be a dead rubber.