South Africa became the first team to whitewash Australia 5-0 in a one-day international series despite a magnificent innings of 173 from David Warner.
A century from Rilee Rossouw set South Africa on their way to a commanding total of 327 for eight in Cape Town. The 27-year-old was well supported by JP Duminy, who hit 73, the pair punishing Australia’s young bowling attack in a stand of 178 after coming together with the score at 52 for three.
Australia’s task always looked huge, with the highest successful ODI chase at the ground being 258. That they got anywhere close was down to Warner, whose 173 off 136 balls almost saved his side from series humiliation. The opener cut, pulled and drove 24 fours and held the innings together as wickets fell around him.
Australia looked to be in with a shout of an unlikely win but when Warner was finally run out in the 48th after a fine throw from Imran Tahir the game was up. Scott Bolland was dismissed in similar fashion seven balls later to give South Africa a 31-run victory and the 5-0 series win.
Warner’s fifth ODI hundred of 2016 now means he has scored 1,089 runs this year from 20 matches with an average of 57.31. It was also the highest score by an Australian in an ODI against South Africa, eclipsing Ricky Ponting’s 164 in 2006’s remarkable game at the Wanderers.
Warner’s innings was also more runs in one innings than any other Australian managed for the whole series – a campaign which is now the worst two-nation one-day result in Australia’s history.
Defeat means the captain, Steve Smith, has now lost nine of his past 11 matches in charge of the national team.
The two teams will now meet in a three-Test series starting in Perth on 3 November.
