Lungi Ngidi stars as South Africa defeat Australia to claim ODI series

MACKAY: Lundi Ngidi took five wickets after Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs’s half-centuries to steer South Africa to a dominant 84-run victory over Australia in the second ODI here on Friday.

South Africa showcased an impressive bowling performance at Great Barrier Reef Arena, dismissing Australia for 193 runs in 37.4 overs after their batsmen scored 277 runs.

Josh Inglis waged a lone battle for Australia with an 87-run knock, but could not find much support from the other end.

Lungi Ngidi led the bowling attack for South Africa, returning figures of 5-42. He was supported by Nandre Burger and Senuran Muthusamy, who took two wickets each, while Wiaan Mulder bagged one.

Earlier, Matthew Breetzke slammed a superb 88 and Tristan Stubbs 74 to help their team post a challenging 277.

Breetzke crunched eight fours and two sixes to continue his impressive form since making his debut this year. In his first four ODIs, he has posted a century and three half-centuries.

Stubbs was also impressive in an 87-ball stay before the visitors were dismissed in the final over.

Adam Zampa (3-63) was the pick of the bowlers while Cameron Green held four catches.

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South Africa started tentatively with Australia pacer Xavier Bartlett bagging both openers inside the first six overs.

The paceman had Aiden Markram, standing in as skipper with Temba Bavuma rested, caught by Travis Head at mid-wicket without scoring.

He then tempted Ryan Rickelton (8) to poke at a seaming ball with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis taking a fine diving catch.

But Breetzke relieved the pressure when Aaron Hardie came on, slamming the quick for two sixes and a four in an over to steer them to 56-2 after the 10-over powerplay.

He then built a breezy 67-run stand with Tony de Zorzi (38) and shared another 89-run partnership with Stubbs, before skying Nathan Ellis to Alex Carey in the deep.

Stubbs stuck around as wickets fell around him before Zampa tempted him into a slog down the ground with Green getting underneath it, before a late flurry from the tail.

The third ODI between Australia and South Africa will be played at the same venue on 24 August.

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