Twitter Reactions: Shaun Marsh’s ton in vain as South Africa run away with series

After losing in Perth, Australia made a stupendous comeback at Adelaide Oval to keep their hopes alive in the three-match ODI series against South Africa. Nevertheless, the visiting team, led by Faf du Plessis, didn’t panic by any means and pocketed the One Day series with a thumping victory by 40 runs in the third and deciding encounter at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Miller and du Plessis blast away

Australia won the toss and opted to field first and the decision worked for them initially as the home team was reduced to 55/3 in the 16th over. While left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc removed Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram, Marcus Stoinis accounted for the wicket of Reeza Hendricks. Among the three batters, Markram scored 32 runs and the other two perished in single digits.

Thereafter, David Miller and skipper Faf du Plessis laid into the bowlers and put on 252 runs for the fourth wicket. The captain notched 125 runs from 114 balls and Miller racked up 139 runs off 108 balls. The duo was separated by Stoinis, but by then the damage had already been done. The Proteas got themselves up to 320 in their 50 overs with the last 10 overs fetching 130 runs.

Marsh couldn’t save the Aussies

The run-chase started on a horrendous note for the hosts as Dale Steyn removed opener Chris Lynn in the very first ball. A couple of overs later, Aaron Finch fell prey to Lungi Ngidi for 11 runs. Travis Head had a torrid time in the middle and could only manage half-a-dozen runs in 21 balls after which Stonis and Shaun Marsh put their heads down and stitched together 107 runs together.

Stoinis scored a well-compiled 63, but Dwayne Pretorius pinned him. Marsh carried on to accomplish his sixth ODI century with the help of seven boundaries and four hits over the ropes. Unfortunately, he became Pretorius’s second victim in the 42nd over. Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell tried their hearts out by scoring 42 and 35 respectively, however, those weren’t enough to save the Aussies.

Here is how Twitter reacted

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