New Delhi:
Destructive Proteas batsman David Miller scored a scintilalting knock of 118 runs to guide South Africa to a four wicket win over Australia in the third one-day international at Kingsmead on Wednesday.
With the victory South Africa went 3-0 up in the series and clinched the five-match series. The Proteas chase was the second highest run chase in the history of ODI cricket.
It is noteworthy that the world record of the highest ODI chase is also in the name of South Africa as the Proteas had chased down a mammoth 434 runs against the Aussies at Johanesburg in 2006.
Earlier in the match Australia set up an imposing target of 371 for six in their 50 overs. David Warner and Steven Smith gave Australia a breathtaking start by compiling a quick fire 110 run opening stand.
The Proteas made their way back in the game courtesy leg spinner Imran Tahir who squeezed the flow of runs in the middle overs. Australia came back strongly and finished their innings with a bang by scoring 71 runs in the last 5 overs.
In reply to Australia's daunting total, the South African openers got off to a breezy start with the dependable Hashim Amla and Quinton De Cock providing the opening salvo. The South African middle order collapsed as they lost three quick wickets of Faf du Plessis, de Kock and Rilee Rossouwfell for just 39 runs.
Seasoned campaigner JP Duminy and David Miller ressereucted their innings by stringing a valauble partnership. Miller then came on his own and unyielded a plethora of destructive strokes to decimate the Aussie bowlers.
South Africa needed 24 runs of the last three overs, 17 off the last two and thanks to Phehlulwayo's ten in the penultimate over, just three off the final over. Phehlukwayo hit the winning runs, with four balls remaining, to leave Australia stunned.
