Report: South Africa vs India, 3rd ODI - INDIA Tour SA

Rain followed the innings break and forced the last game of the three-match ODI series to be abandoned.

Two centuries in the South African innings propelled the hosts to a 301 despite losing three wickets for 28 up front after opting to bat. In the last ODI at the SuperSport Park, besides Quinton de Kock it was AB de Villiers who slammed a ton to ensure the hosts a commanding total in the absence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. While the centurions and David Miller with an unbeaten half-century milked the attack, the Indian bowlers put up a better performance to claim eight wickets and keep the team in reckoning. However, with incessant showers making an appearance, India didn’t get an opportunity to chase the target.

Earlier, after SA opted to bat, Mohammed Shami brought into the attack in to the attack in the fifth over ended the opening partnership for 22. With Hashim Amla caught at square-leg by Yuvraj Singh India had ensured that there won’t be yet another solid start for SA. Ishant Sharma bowling his second over of second spell dealt a double blow to push SA on the back foot for the first time in the series. Henry Davids replacing Jacques Kallis in the eleven edged the delivery to Suresh Raina at second slip. And couple of deliveries later Raina took a low diving catch as the ball took the edge of JP Duminy’s bat to send the batsman back.

SA were still on shaky ground as de Kock received a couple of lives before reaching his fifty. While substitute Ajinkya Rahane couldn’t hold on to the ball after the opener struck Umesh Yadav to short fine-leg, later a skier popped out of Yuvraj’s hand.

However, the youngster with de Villiers revived the innings. The pair played cautiously but ensured a steady flow of runs. As the innings progressed they took the attack to the Indian bowlers. de Kock reached 98 with a six over deep mid-wicket and brought up his third successive century with a single an over later. The prodigious opener became the highest run-scorer in a three-match series and also joined his captain as he became only the fifth to score three consecutive centuries in ODIs. In the same over de Villiers dispatched Shami over midwicket and cover for two successive sixes.

The duo had added 171 for the fourth wicket when de Kock found his bails clipped by Ishant Sharma as he made room to hit the bowler and exposed his stumps. de Villiers continued to attack with Miller at the other end. The partnership ended with the SA skipper being trapped plumb in front of the wicket by Umesh. But by then the home team had wrested the advantage from the visitors. Although wickets fell at the other end, Miller continued his blitzkrieg.

Ryan McLaren attempting to strike Ishant for a big hit found Umesh at deep midwicket. With the scalp, the tall pacer completed 100 wickets in the format and a four-wicket haul in the game.

Miller helped collect 11, nine and 10 runs off the last three overs. And though Shami who has been the pick of the Indian attack in the series claimed Wayne Parnell and Vernon Philander in the last over India were left to chase a yet another stiff target.  

Man of the Series: Leading run-scorer of the series, Quinton de Kock for his three centuries in three matches