Australia v South Africa, 2014-15
Wisden's review of the fifth ODI, Australia v South Africa, 2014-15
15-Apr-2015
At Harare, September 2, 2014. Australia won by 62 runs. Australia 5pts. Toss: South Africa.
Two days after losing to the outliers and learning their captain would play no further part in the competition, Australia became the first team to book a place in the final, thanks almost entirely to Mitchell Marsh. It was Smith who was given Clarke's No. 3 position, but Marsh chimed in with vital acceleration in the last 15 overs after South Africa's spinners had reined in Australia. He smashed Steyn for three consecutive sixes down the ground - the first time Steyn had been hit for as many sixes in an over of international cricket, forcing de Villiers to scramble around for another death bowler. South Africa were rocked early in their chase, with Haddin taking an excellent leg-side catch to strangle Amla off Marsh, and could not recover. Du Plessis made a second century against his favourite opposition, but the game was up by the time he trod on his stumps; no one had scored as many as 126 before being out hit wicket in a one-day international. McLaren carried on batting after being struck on the right forearm by Johnson, but an X-ray revealed a hairline fracture, forcing him out of the tournament.
Man of the Match: M. R. Marsh.
Two days after losing to the outliers and learning their captain would play no further part in the competition, Australia became the first team to book a place in the final, thanks almost entirely to Mitchell Marsh. It was Smith who was given Clarke's No. 3 position, but Marsh chimed in with vital acceleration in the last 15 overs after South Africa's spinners had reined in Australia. He smashed Steyn for three consecutive sixes down the ground - the first time Steyn had been hit for as many sixes in an over of international cricket, forcing de Villiers to scramble around for another death bowler. South Africa were rocked early in their chase, with Haddin taking an excellent leg-side catch to strangle Amla off Marsh, and could not recover. Du Plessis made a second century against his favourite opposition, but the game was up by the time he trod on his stumps; no one had scored as many as 126 before being out hit wicket in a one-day international. McLaren carried on batting after being struck on the right forearm by Johnson, but an X-ray revealed a hairline fracture, forcing him out of the tournament.
Man of the Match: M. R. Marsh.