Australia won the toss and asked the Proteas to bat first. South Africa took to the challenge and managed to knock it out of the park this week.

Scoring a record-breaking 416-5 and bowling Australia out for 252 runs in Centurion on Friday breathes hope into South Africa’s game ahead of the 5th and final game of the series as well as into their World Cup preparation campaign.

Heinrich Klaasen was the star on the field scoring a mammoth 174 runs off of 83 balls. His first 50 came off 38 balls and then he impressed as he reached a century off just a further 19 balls, thereafter his third 50 came off 20 balls. 

Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller also majorly contributed to the sides 416 runs scoring 62 and 82 respectively. Van der Dussen was bowled out by Josh Hazlewood on the 66th ball and Miller managed to finish the remaining 45 balls not out.

For the Australians it was a rather tough day at the office being bowled out in their 34th over at 252/10, a whopping 164 runs short of a win.

Wickets fell fast as Lungi Ngidi managed a 4-51, removing David Warner for 12, skipper Mitchell Marsh for 6, Tim David for 35 as well as Nathan Ellis for 18 leaving Australia scrambling to make up. 

The Proteas bowling and fielding looked good as Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj also took wickets leading us to bowling Australia out for 252.

The real test lies ahead in the 5th One Day International as either side can claim the victory. A square series makes the tensions of the last game that much higher and with the Proteas gaining confidence from a mammoth win we are yet to see what they’ll bring to the table in the 5th and final game. 

The 5th ODI is set to take place at the Wanderers tomorrow.