The cricketing rivalry between Australia and South Africa is one of the fiercest in the sport. Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 From World Cup thrillers to unforgettable bilateral clashes, these two sides rarely disappoint. However, in the ongoing 3-match ODI series in 2025, the story has been heavily tilted in favor of the Proteas. With South Africa already 2–0 up, the final ODI at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay on 24 August 2025 is all about pride for Australia and perfection for South Africa.
A Series Full of Surprises; Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025
When the series began, Australia were seen as favorites at home. But cricket has its way of humbling expectations.
- 1st ODI (Cairns): South Africa stunned the Aussies by 98 runs. A disciplined batting display followed by sharp bowling left Australia chasing shadows.
- 2nd ODI (Mackay): It was déjà vu. South Africa’s bowling attack dismantled the Australian top order, with Lungi Ngidi’s fiery spell (5/42) doing the most damage. Australia crumbled again, losing by 84 runs.
Now, the series stands at 2–0. South Africa have already sealed it, but a 3–0 whitewash in Australia would be a historic feat.
Match Details
- Match: Australia vs South Africa, 3rd ODI 2025
- Date: 24 August 2025
- Venue: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
- Time: 10:00 AM IST | 2:30 PM Local | 4:30 AM GMT
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioCinema & Disney+ Hotstar
Pitch Report – Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
The Mackay pitch has been a balanced track throughout the series.
- Early Overs: Seamers get movement and bounce under cloudy conditions. New-ball bowlers like Hazlewood and Ngidi could find success.
- Middle Overs: Batting becomes easier, with stroke play on both sides of the ground.
- Spin Factor: As the game progresses, spinners like Keshav Maharaj and Adam Zampa come into play.
- Expected Score: A par score is around 300–320 runs. Anything less could be tricky to defend.
👉 Teams batting first have generally done better, so toss will play a big role.
Probable Playing XI
Australia (Probable XI)
- Travis Head – Aggressive opener, yet to make a big mark this series.
- Mitchell Marsh (c) – Skipper under pressure, needs a captain’s knock.
- Marnus Labuschagne – Solid technique, but struggling with strike rotation.
- Cameron Green – Power hitter, key in middle overs.
- Josh Inglis (wk) – X-factor, can change the game quickly.
- Alex Carey – Experience in the middle order, must anchor innings.
- Aaron Hardie – All-rounder option for balance.
- Ben Dwarshuis – Left-arm angle gives variation.
- Nathan Ellis – Reliable pacer, strong at death overs.
- Adam Zampa – Australia’s main spin weapon.
- Josh Hazlewood – Leader of the pace attack.
South Africa (Probable XI)
- Temba Bavuma (c) – Expected to return after being rested.
- Ryan Rickelton (wk) – Promising opener with good form.
- Aiden Markram – Stylish batter, adds stability.
- Matthew Breetzke – Consistent contributor in this series.
- Tristan Stubbs – Explosive finisher.
- Dewald Brevis – “Baby AB” with fearless hitting ability.
- Wiaan Mulder – Handy all-rounder.
- Keshav Maharaj – World No. 1 ODI bowler, SA’s spin trump card.
- Prenelan Subrayen – Another spin option.
- Lungi Ngidi – In red-hot form after his 5-wicket haul.
- Nandre Burger – Left-arm pacer, adds variety.
Key Battles to Watch
- Travis Head vs Lungi Ngidi – Ngidi has troubled Head with extra bounce; this duel could set the tone.
- Marnus Labuschagne vs Keshav Maharaj – A test of technique against the world’s No.1 ODI spinner.
- Mitchell Marsh vs Nandre Burger – Marsh’s power vs Burger’s left-arm angle will be fascinating.
Team Form & Confidence
- Australia: Low on confidence, struggling with batting collapses. Need a top-order partnership to build momentum.
- South Africa: High on belief, balanced in both departments, and hungry to make history with a whitewash.
Match Prediction
Australia will be desperate to avoid a 3–0 scoreline, but their middle order remains shaky. Unless Marsh and Head deliver at the top, South Africa’s bowlers are likely to dominate again.
👉 Prediction: South Africa start favorites, but expect a closer contest than the last two ODIs.
FAQs on Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI
Q1: Who leads the series?
A: South Africa lead 2–0, having already sealed the series.
Q2: Can Australia still win the series?
A: No. They can only reduce the margin by winning the 3rd ODI.
Q3: Where is the match being played?
A: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay.
Q4: Who are the key players for South Africa?
A: Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, and Matthew Breetzke.
Q5: Who are the key players for Australia?
A: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Josh Inglis.
Q6: What time does the match start in India?
A: 10:00 AM IST.
Q7: Who won the last match?
A: South Africa, by 84 runs in the 2nd ODI.
Q8: How has South Africa’s bowling been?
A: Dominant – Ngidi and Maharaj have led brilliantly.
Q9: Will Temba Bavuma play the 3rd ODI?
A: Yes, he is expected to return.
Q10: What is the expected pitch behavior?
A: Balanced surface, 300+ runs is a winning score, with spinners effective later.
FAQs – Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI
Q1. What is the AUS vs SA 3rd ODI live score?
👉 Australia: 431/2 in 50 overs, South Africa: 65/4 (chasing 432).
Q2. Who scored the most runs for Australia today?
👉 Travis Head (142) and Cameron Green (118*) were the top scorers.
Q3. How many runs did Temba Bavuma score in the 3rd ODI?
👉 Bavuma scored only 8 runs before getting dismissed.
Q4. Did Aiden Markram perform well today?
👉 Markram scored 12 runs but couldn’t build a big innings.
Q5. Who is leading the AUS vs SA ODI series?
👉 Australia is dominating the ODI series with powerful performances.
Q6. How many centuries were scored in the AUS vs SA 3rd ODI?
👉 Three centuries – Head (142), Marsh (100), and Green (118*).
Q7. What was the turning point of the match?
👉 Cameron Green’s explosive 118* changed the momentum completely.
Q8. How many wickets has South Africa lost so far?
👉 South Africa is 65/4 after 10 overs.
Q9. Who took wickets for Australia early in the chase?
👉 Australia’s pace attack, supported by Marnus Labuschagne’s fielding, picked up early breakthroughs.
Q10. Can South Africa still win this match?
👉 With the required rate above 8.5 and 4 wickets already down, South Africa’s chances look slim.
australia vs south africa 3rd odi: match overview & live score
australia vs south africa odi – current scorecard
- Australia: 431/2 (50 overs)
- Travis Head – 142
- Mitchell Marsh – 100
- Cameron Green – 118* (55 balls)
- Alex Carey – 50* (37 balls)
Australia’s batting was spectacular—Head and Marsh set a fiery foundation, Green delivered an explosive finish, and Carey chipped in with a quick cameo. South Africa’s chase began disastrously, and their early collapse leaves them virtually out of contention.Biggest Partnership:
Head and Marsh added 250 runs for the opening wicket, setting the perfect platform. Later, Green played a breathtaking knock, reaching his century in just 55 balls – one of the fastest for Australia in ODIs.
Australia’s score of 431/2 is now among their highest ever ODI totals, second only to their famous 434 vs South Africa in 2006.
South Africa Innings – 155 all out (24.5 overs)
Chasing a mountain-like target, South Africa never got going. Their top-order collapsed under pressure, and only a couple of batters managed to show some fight.
- Dewald Brevis – 49 runs (the top scorer)
- Tony de Zorzi – 33 runs
The rest of the batting lineup fell cheaply, unable to handle Australia’s bowling attack.
Bowling Performances – Australia
The bowlers complemented the batting heroics with a ruthless display:
- Cooper Connolly – 5/22 (6 overs) – A sensational spell! He became the first Australian spinner to take a five-wicket haul against South Africa in ODIs.
- Sean Abbott – 2 wickets
- Rest of the attack chipped in to wrap up South Africa inside 25 overs.
Records & Key Moments
✅ Australia scored 431/2, their second-highest ODI total.
✅ Three Australian players (Head, Marsh, Green) scored centuries in the same innings – a very rare record.
✅ Cameron Green’s 118* came at over two runs a ball, making it one of the fastest ODI tons by an Aussie.
✅ Cooper Connolly’s 5/22 was a historic bowling performance.
✅ South Africa suffered their biggest defeat in ODI history by runs (276).
Match Awards
- Player of the Match: Travis Head (142 off 103 balls)
- Player of the Series: Keshav Maharaj (for his consistency across the 3 ODIs)
Series Outcome
- South Africa had already won the series 2–0 before this match.
- Australia ended the series on a high with this record win, avoiding a clean sweep.
Summary Table
| Team | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Travis Head | 142 runs |
| Australia | Mitchell Marsh | 100 runs |
| Australia | Cameron Green | 118* runs (55 balls) |
| Australia | Alex Carey | 50* (37 balls) |
| South Africa | Aiden Markram | Early dismissal; team at 65/4 |
| South Africa | Temba Bavuma | Early dismissal; under pressure |
All the previously mentioned players—Head, Marsh, Green, Markram, and Bavuma—are accurately represented in this analysis.till 10 over score of south africa team in aus vs sa 3rd odi.
🏏 FAQs: Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025
Q1. Who won the 3rd ODI between Australia and South Africa in 2025?
👉 Australia won the 3rd ODI by 276 runs at Mackay.
Q2. What was Australia’s score in the 3rd ODI against South Africa?
👉 Australia scored 431/2 in 50 overs, one of their highest totals in ODI history.
Q3. Who scored the most runs for Australia in the 3rd ODI?
👉 Travis Head scored the highest with 142 runs off 103 balls.
Q4. How many centuries were scored by Australia in the match?
👉 Three centuries were scored – *Travis Head (142), Mitchell Marsh (100), and Cameron Green (118)**.
Q5. What was Cameron Green’s strike rate in his century?
👉 Cameron Green scored his 118* at a strike rate of over 210, hitting 6 fours and 8 sixes.
Q6. Who was the top scorer for South Africa in the 3rd ODI?
👉 Dewald Brevis scored 49 runs, the highest for South Africa.
Q7. Who took the most wickets for Australia in the match?
👉 Young spinner Cooper Connolly took 5 wickets for 22 runs, making history against South Africa.
Q8. What record did Australia break in this ODI?
👉 Australia became the first team to have three centurions in the same ODI innings against South Africa and registered their second-highest ODI score.
Q9. What was South Africa’s total in the 3rd ODI?
👉 South Africa were bowled out for 155 runs in 24.5 overs.
Q10. Who was named Player of the Match in the 3rd ODI?
👉 Travis Head was awarded Player of the Match for his brilliant 142.
Q11. Who won the Player of the Series award?
👉 Despite South Africa losing the last match, Keshav Maharaj was named Player of the Series.
Q12. What was the final result of the ODI series?
👉 South Africa won the series 2–1, but Australia finished strong with a massive victory in the last game.
Final Word
The Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI is more than just a dead rubber. For Australia, it’s about saving face at home. For South Africa, it’s about sending a strong message with a rare whitewash in Australia.
🔥 Fans can expect high intensity, some pride-driven performances, and possibly a thriller if Australia fights back.
👉 Who do you think will win the 3rd ODI – Australia or South Africa? Comment your prediction below!
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