Twitter Reactions: Australia soar above expectations to register second ODI win in 2018

Maxwell had the task of defending 20 runs off the last over and he expertly did it.

Published - 09 Nov 2018, 17:17 IST | Updated - 09 Nov 2018, 17:17 IST

2 Min Read

Australia were required to win the second ODI at Adelaide Oval and they won the match against South Africa by a meagre seven runs. With the stupendous triumph, they kept their hopes alive in the series with one match remaining to be played at Bellerive Oval on Sunday. It was also their second win in the format in 2018 after they rolled over England earlier this year in the five-match series.

Rabada stars in Proteas domination

South Africa won the toss and didn’t have any hesitation to bowl first. Lungi Ngidi struck first blood with Travis Head’s wicket after which skipper Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh got the home team back into the match with a stand of 54 runs. Kagiso Rabada separated the duo by getting rid of Marsh for 22. Dwayne Pretorius dismissed Finch for 41 with Australia’s score at 96 in the 21st over.

Thereafter, a couple of partnerships between Chis Lynn (44) and wicketkeeper Alex Carey (47) followed by the one between Carey and Glenn Maxwell threatened to take the match away from the visitors, but wickets at crunch moments restricted the home team to 231 runs and were bowled out nine balls short of the 50 overs. Rabada was the Proteas’ standout bowler with four wickets.

Aussies scramble through

Mitchell Starc picked up Quinton de Kock and didn’t allow South Africa to blaze away initially. However, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks tried to inject momentum into the innings. Unfortunately, both perished in quick succession. Markram was the first to fall owing to a run-out and six deliveries later, Mitchell Starc accounted for the wicket of Hendricks.

After Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal, captain Faf du Plessis and David Miller brought their team back into the match with a 74-run partnership. While Miller notched a half-century, du Plessis departed three runs short of the same. Following their wickets, the Proteas tried to recover but fell short. Maxwell had the task of defending 20 runs off the last over and he expertly did it for Australia.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Congratulations to the Aussie’s 🏏
Well played tonight. @AaronFinch5 outstanding on all fronts ! Class!!! @FoxCricket @FOXSportsAUS @cricketcomau
— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) November 9, 2018

Well done Australia!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Now that’s a bloody good win!!
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) November 9, 2018

You beauty Australia! #cmonaussie
— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) November 9, 2018

Almost after 9 months , Aussies won an Intl match !👧#AUSvSA
— Sandeep sanju (@SandeepRohitian) November 9, 2018

STOP THE PRESS: Australia win a ODI match! #AUSvSA
— Frank (@FranklinnnMJ) November 9, 2018

Finally a ODI win for Australia after 7 successive loses in this format. It will be a great relief to the team and the captain Finch. They need to bat better though if they have to win the series #AUSvSA #cricket
— Giri Subramanian (@giri26) November 9, 2018

Finally. Australia able to end string of 7 straight ODI Defeats. Maxwell defend 20 in last over. Top Captaincy Finch, Aggressive field setting with 3 World Class Pacers. As Shane Warne said "Could be a turning point for this team" #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/2oa1GkO7Yl
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) November 9, 2018

Great to see the boys smiling after a game. Good game good win. #AUSvSA
— JJK (@72jjk) November 9, 2018

Big relief all round for Justin Langer and @CAComms, ending a 7-game losing sequence with a 7-run victory over @OfficialCSA in the 2nd ODI in Adelaide #AUSvSA
— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon) November 9, 2018

On their day Saffers would even choke their way to Zimbabwe or Ireland. #AUSvSA
— Udit (@udit_buch) November 9, 2018

I don’t think I’m getting too far ahead of myself when I say that I think Australia are now World Cup favourites #AUSvSA
— Heath Bennetts (@riffwithbiff) November 9, 2018

Finally Australia 🇦🇺 won another ODI in this year
Now series is level 🇦🇺 1-1 🇿🇦
3rd match will be interesting now🔥#AUSvSA 🏏
— աαզαs 🇵🇰🏏 (@iCricketFreak) November 9, 2018

Low scoring thrillers are the best! #AUSvSA What a game!
— Shantanu ❁ (@ShantzTH) November 9, 2018

Australia in ODIs in 2018:
Mat – 12
Won – 2
Lost – 10#AUSvSA
— FoMA Ramteke (@fomaramteke) November 9, 2018

Another classic case of when SA batters look back on the game and realise just 7 more runs were needed-those who were well-set and got out through impatience actually lost the match.#ALWAYSMORETIMETHANYOUTHINK #AUSvSA
— Pat Symcox (@PatSymcox77) November 9, 2018

Australia have won! #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/zPUlrkDKaJ
— Lùcàs🇪🇸 ⚽️🏀🎾🏏 (@3PTSpanishKING) November 9, 2018

Our batting may be a mess but our bowling definitely isn’t. Defended that total really well. Stoinis was brilliant! #AUSvSA
— Zubeda Ismail (@zubedaismail) November 9, 2018