South Africa won the three-match ODI series against Australia 2-1: here's how the updated ICC ODI team rankings look after the AUS vs SA series.
After a 2-1 defeat in the T20Is, South Africa bounced back in style in the one-dayers. In the first match, Aiden Markram (82), Temba Bavuma (65), and Matthew Breetzke (57) powered the visitors to 296-8 before Keshav Maharaj spun a web around the Australian batters to register his maiden ODI five-for and consign them to a 98-run defeat.
The second match had similar total scores: South Africa batting first and scoring 277 on the back of fifties from Breetzke (88)and Tristan Stubbs (74), and a South African – this time Lungi Ngidi – taking a five-for to inflict another heavy defeat on the hosts (by 84 runs).
Australia's batters then turned things around in the third ODI. Travis Head (142), Mitchell Marsh (100), and Cameron Green (118*) all scored hundreds from the top three, powering them to 431-2 in 50 overs. South Africa crumbled under the scoreboard pressure, as Cooper Connolly registered his maiden professional five-for to hand the visitors their worst-ever defeat in men's ODIs – by 276 runs.
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Latest ICC men's ODI team rankings after Australia v South Africa
Australia entered the series ranked third, behind India and New Zealand, while South Africa were sixth, after Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The 2-1 result has not seen a change in positions for either side, but Australia have lost three rating points to go from 109 to 106. South Africa, on the other hand, have gained two points to go from 96 to 98, reducing the gap with Pakistan, who are placed fifth with 100 points.
Australia's next ODI assignment is a three-match home series against India in October, while South Africa will head to the UK to play three ODIs against England starting first week of September.
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