South Africa vs Australia, 2nd ODI at Bloemfontein, SA v AUS, Mar 04 2020 - Ball by Ball Commentary

9.05pm So that's the end of that. South Africa have won a series at last, and in some style too. There's time left in this tour to make it a clean sweep of the ODIs. Join us at Potch on Saturday to find out, but from myself and Valkerie, and Firdose at Bloem, good night!

And finally, here's Quinton de Kock. "Never good from a chasing point of view to lose an early wicket but Jan and JJ set up a good base. Australia came out with intent and playerd really well but we fought back after the Powerplay. Without the likes of KG, it's great to see Lungi putting his hand up. Coming into this series we had to give the youngsters a chance, and they came out and showed it. We don't want to step our foot off the gas, we owe ourselves another win. And it's about time [I won a series as captain]. It feels good knowing other guys have done the work. I've hardly done anything."

The man of the match is joint between Malan and Ngidi! What a cop-out, but hard to argue with it!

Ngidi: "I'm very happy, given the challenge before the game, using a lot of cross-seam was beneficial, then at the back end trying to do the lower order for pace with some slower balls. We've worked pretty hard on our death bowling, so coming out with skills is key. I've been confident lately with some games under my belt."

Malan: "I was happy to get past the first ball, but compliments to the bowling unit, and I had great partners in the chase. There was chat about targets, 30 overs etc, but they just said they needed me to bat through. With the sun going down it skidded a bit more and it got wet in the outfield so easier to hit in the end."

8.56pm Time for some presentations.

Here's Finch: "We were 20-30 runs short with the bat, but SA played very well, changed the momentum of the game with some smart batting. The surface started to hold up a bit and we lost wickets at key times. The difference is we had two guys with 70 and they had one guy batting to the end with 130. We keep making the same mistakes, so it's about improving. A bit of a different role for D'Arcy at five, the spin overs were a challenge for him but reward for hard work. We just couldn't find that breakthrough."

Jofradamus has called it for posterity:

8.43pm Well, what a way to close out your first series win of the summer! A daunting chase of 272, under lights, and against a daunting Australia attack featuring Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, and it's the rookie that does the job! Janneman Malan's stunning maiden hundred, coming just days after his first-baller on debut, has won the contest at a canter, and now they can head to Potchefstroom on Saturday with a 3-0 clean sweep in their sights. Kudos too to Lungi Ngidi for his superb six-for that kept the chase within manageable proportions, and Heinrich Klaasen too, whose century in the first game was followed by a crucial, forceful fifty today.

Bhargav Sura: "Golden duck in the first game. Golden century in the second. Well played Jaaneman."

Johann: "Very happy to eat my words tonight. I really do hope Miller hits top gear by the T20 WC." Thoughts and prayers with DJ and Rakesh too. Hope they found solace as they sorted their underwear drawers instead of watching a belting chase.

This contest is an ex-contest ... it has ceased to be ... can Malan seal it in style?

Abinash Das: "This is what keeping wickets in hand and gradually upping the ante with consistent scoring can do. The fans were overcritical of this time tested strategy of a conservative start and keeping wickets at hand. One simply can't go bonkers right from the word go in every match."

Hemanth: "This is some good ol' pacing your partnership stuff here .. loving it"

harsh: "@Andrew, I think Mukesh was being sarcastic :)" My sarcometer is finely attuned after nearly 20 years in this job. And that comment came out clean!

Pratik Khanal: "Let's face it. This is Australia's best team right now. But they would love to have Maxwell and Wade. Saffas are all over the best team right now. "

Muhammad : "If South Africa win this, will ngidi get MoM For his 6fer or Malan for his hundred?" Good question. In spite of the usual bias towards batsmen, I would lean towards Malan. Chasing a record score under lights with a maiden hundred is quite something