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Aussies stunned by South Africa in never-before-seen cricket history

australian associated press
·3-min read

Lungi Ngidi has made some never-before-seen cricket history as South Africa bulldozed Australia to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their ODI series.

The pace sensation ripped through Australia's batting order in Bloemfontein, becoming the fastest South African bowler to reach 50 wickets in one-day internationals.

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The Proteas chased their target of 272 with nine balls to spare, winning by six wickets and taking an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

Muscular quick Ngidi snared career-best figures of 6-58, dismissing David Warner, Steve Smith and South Africa-born Marnus Labuschagne, who made a golden duck in front of family who had travelled several hours to watch him bat.

Lungi Ngidi, pictured here dismissing Steve Smith in the second ODI against Australia.
Lungi Ngidi dismissed David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession. Image: Fox Cricket/Getty

D'Arcy Short and Aaron Finch provided some resistance, equal top-scoring with 69, but the tourists lacked someone who could take the innings deeper.

Newcomer Janneman Malan played that role for the Proteas, scoring an emphatic 129 and partnering with big-hitting finisher David Miller (37 not out) to steer South Africa to their first series victory in any format in 12 months.

Australia will still take positives from the tour given they won the preceding T20 series in a year focused on October's T20 World Cup.

But Finch's men will be aware they have plenty of work to do in the 50-over format after being outmatched by an inexperienced Proteas outfit missing Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Kagiso Rabada.

The dead-rubber series finale will be played on Saturday in Potchefstroom.

Lungi Ngidi, pictured here in action for South Africa against Australia.
Lungi Ngidi became the fastest South African to take 50 ODI wickets. (Photo by WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images)

Aussies collapse late, struggle in field

For the third time in five matches, Mitchell Starc clean-bowled South African captain and talisman Quinton de Kock in the first over.

But it was otherwise a frustrating night in the field for the tourists with Pat Cummins, in particular, unable to catch a break.

Australia's marquee quick twice had wickets overturned - the first when Jon-Jon Smuts was caught behind off what turned out to be a front-foot no ball and the second when Heinrich Klaasen was given out while fending off a vicious bouncer.

Klaasen immediately reviewed the decision and replays revealed the ball had ricocheted off his helmet rather than his bat.

Janneman Malan, pictured here celebrating his century in the second ODI against Australia.
Janneman Malan celebrates his century in the second ODI against Australia. (Photo by WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images)

Adam Zampa (2-48) accounted for Smuts (41) and Klaasen (51) but Ashton Agar, picked ahead of Josh Hazlewood in a surprise decision, went wicketless.

Short earlier rewarded the selectors' faith with a maiden half-century after being picked ahead of Matthew Wade and promoted to No.5.

The left-hander was lucky to survive twice being dropped but otherwise did enough to suggest he could be part of the answer to Australia's middle-order dilemma.

Ngidi turned the match and found himself on a hat-trick after Labuschagne slashed at a short delivery and was caught at point.

The 23-year-old celebrated his 50th ODI wicket before cleaning up the tail.

With Yahoo Sports Staff