Carey leads Australia to consolation win as Proteas take series 2-1

Alex Carey’s feisty 74 helped Australia to a consolation 47-run victory on DLS in the third ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, after rain ended South Africa’s chase on 145/4.

The Proteas won the series 2-1 after wins by 67 runs in Durban and 32 runs at the Wanderers.

Australia were asked to bat first and all of their top seven reached 20, with captain Mitch Marsh continuing his fine form with 56 off 42 balls to add to scores of 60 and 84 earlier in the series.

Travis Head made 24, Cooper Connolly 23, Oliver Peake a measured 48, Matt Renshaw 30 and Cameron Green 23.

Carey’s 74 off 88 balls with four fours and two sixes was the top score in a total of 322/9.

Corbin Bosch was the pick of the bowlers with 4/60, Gerald Coetzee took 2/61 and Bjorn Fortuin 1/50.

In reply, South Africa were hampered by the loss of Tony de Zorzi, who injured a hamstring in the field and could not bat.

Quinton de Kock went for duck, Aiden Markram for 15 and Matthew Breetzke for 25, before Ryan Rickelton kept hopes alive with an unbeaten 71.

Rickelton was alongside Bosch (13) when rain forced the abandonment, with Xavier Bartlett taking 2/25.

Australia’s tour continues with the first of three tests kicking off in Durban on Friday 9 October.