The Proteas won the third One-Day International against Australia in Potchefstroom on Tuesday to keep the five-match series alive.

Aiden Markam led the charge with the bat as the Proteas beat Australia by 111-runs at the JB Marks Oval.

A fine 102 not out by Markram led the Proteas to 338/6 in their 50 overs, while Quinton de Kock scored 82 and Temba Bavuma scored 57.

The century was just Markram's second in ODI cricket with his previous one being a career-best 175 runs against the Netherlands in Johannesburg in April this year.

Markram's ton on Tuesday night came off just 74 balls and in the process struck nine fours and four sixes.

In reply, Australia was bowled out for 227-runs, with Gerald Coetzee taking a career-best 4/50 in 6.3 overs, while the spin-twins Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi each bagged two scalps.

David Warner was the standout performer with the bat for Australia with 78-runs before being run out by Maharaj. Travis Head in turn scored 38, while the skipper, Mitchell Marsh, contributed with 29.

Markram told OFM Sport that it’s a big relief to score a match-winning ton against a top team.

“There is definitely that element of relief,” said Markram.

“If you look at it from a numbers perspective there will be people that have comments about it, which is fair.

“It's high-performance and international cricket you need to be up there with the best to warrant a place in the playing XI, so it is a relief for myself personally.

“Ultimately, you’re walking out to bat every time, you're seeing how you can add value to the team. And some days it might be a quick-fire innings for a change of momentum and some days, it might be in a situation with a bit more gravity.”

The 4th ODI will be played on Friday at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport