Australia vs South Africa, 3rd ODI 2025 – Mackay Carnage: Head, Marsh, Green Rewrite Records as Proteas Collapse

August 24, 2025 · Mackay, Australia · by Wasif Shehzad

Australia South Africa ODI Match Reports

Head 142, Marsh 100, Green 118* — Australia 431/2; South Africa 155.

Key Takeaways:

• Australia beat South Africa by 276 runs — their biggest ODI win.
• Three tons in one innings: Head (142), Marsh (100), Green (118*).
• Cooper Connolly 5/22 sparked a rapid collapse to 155 all out (24.5 ov).
• Despite the rout, South Africa won the series 2–1; Keshav Maharaj was Player of the Series.

Jump to:

1. Summary
2. Australia’s Batting Storm
3. South Africa’s Bowling Nightmare
4. South Africa’s Chase & Collapse
5. Cooper Connolly’s Five-For
6. Records Broken
7. Series Context & Impact
8. Key Talking Points
9. FAQs
10. Have Your Say

Summary – When Cricket Turns into a Storm

Mackay witnessed a cricketing spectacle that will be remembered for years. Australia thrashed South Africa by a record 276 runs in the third and final ODI on August 24, 2025. The scorecard itself reads like fiction: Australia 431/2 in 50 overs, South Africa bowled out for 155 inside 25 overs. Three Australian batters — Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green — all scored centuries in the same innings, while young Cooper Connolly ran through the Proteas with five wickets.

Yet, the twist in the tale: South Africa still took the series 2–1, having won the first two matches. The Mackay massacre became a consolation for Australia, but one that shook records and headlines worldwide.

Australia’s Batting Storm – Head, Marsh, and Green Take Flight

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first under the Mackay lights. What followed was a relentless display of power-hitting mixed with controlled strokeplay.

• Travis Head (142 off 103) set the tone early with crisp drives and five sixes, bringing up his ton in 95 balls. He fell at 250 in the 35th over, ending a marathon effort that broke SA’s plans.
• Mitchell Marsh (100 off 106) played the conductor — rotating strike, choosing his moments, and launching five sixes after fifty. A classic captain’s hundred.
• Cameron Green (118* off 55) was the enforcer. Fifty in 22, hundred in 47 balls; eight sixes and a strike rate north of 200 turned a big total into a mountainous one.
• Alex Carey (50* off 37) provided the final polish, ensuring the total sailed beyond 430 with seven boundaries.

Australia – 431/2 (50 ov)

Head 142 (103), Marsh 100 (106), Green 118* (55), Carey 50* (37)

South Africa Bowling

Maphaka 0/73 (6), Mulder 0/93 (7), Maharaj 1/57 (10), Muthusamy 1/75 (9), Bosch 0/68 (10), Markram 0/60 (8)

South Africa’s Bowling Nightmare

Lengths drifted, lines wavered, and the outfield became a runway for boundaries. Even the usually reliable Keshav Maharaj could only apply partial brakes. Australia’s right-left combinations and constant strike rotation dismantled any rhythm the Proteas sought.

South Africa’s Collapse – From Hope to Humiliation

• Start in tatters: Markram (2), Rickelton (11), Bavuma (19) — 31/3 by the sixth over.
• Counterpunch: de Zorzi (33) and Brevis (49 off 28) swung hard; five sixes from Brevis lit the night briefly.
• Rapid end: From 107/5 to 155 all out in 24.5 overs as Australia’s changes hit the mark and Connolly sliced through the middle.

South Africa – 155 (24.5 ov)

de Zorzi 33, Brevis 49 (28), Bosch 17; Bartlett 2/45, Abbott 2/27, Connolly 5/22, Zampa 1/31

Target: 432

Required RR 8.64; momentum never arrived.

Cooper Connolly – The Surprise Destroyer

Beyond the fireworks with the bat, the 22-year-old all-rounder delivered a career-defining spell. Connolly varied pace and release, drew miscues from de Zorzi and Bosch, lured Brevis with flight, and had Maharaj stumped. Figures: 6-0-22-5. On a batting highway, he found a lane for himself.

Records Broken in Mackay

1. Australia’s 431/2 — among their highest ODI totals.
2. Winning margin: 276 runs — Australia’s biggest in ODIs.
3. Three hundreds in one innings — Head, Marsh, Green (first time for Australia in ODIs).
4. Green’s 47-ball century — one of the fastest by an Australian in ODIs.
5. Connolly 5/22 — standout five-for by a young Australian all-rounder.

The Irony – South Africa Win the Series

Despite the shellacking, South Africa clinched the series 2–1, built on their earlier spin-driven wins. Keshav Maharaj earned Player of the Series for six wickets and vital runs. For Australia, the finale restored belief; for South Africa, it highlighted work to do when plans unravel.

What This Means for Both Teams

• Australia: Green’s explosiveness at No. 4/5 and Connolly’s emergence add depth; consistency remains the keyword.
• South Africa: Bowling depth and batting temperament under scoreboard pressure are immediate focus areas.

Related reading: Australia news & analysis · South Africa coverage

Key Talking Points

• Should Australia lock Cameron Green at No. 4/5 after this blitz?
• Did South Africa switch off after sealing the series?
• Is Travis Head now Australia’s most reliable ODI opener in the post-Warner era?
• Is Cooper Connolly the all-round glue Australia have searched for?

FAQs

Was this Australia’s biggest ODI win?

Yes. The 276-run margin is their largest victory in ODIs.

How many Australian centuries were scored?

Three: Head 142, Marsh 100, Green 118*.

Who were Player of the Match and Player of the Series?

Travis Head (POTM); Keshav Maharaj (POTS).

Who won the series?

South Africa won 2–1.

What was special about Cameron Green’s knock?

A 47-ball hundred; 118* off 55 with eight sixes.

Match: 3rd ODI, Mackay, Aug 24, 2025 · Toss: Australia batted · Umpires: Chris Gaffaney, Sam Nogajski · TV Umpire: Richard Illingworth · Referee: Andy Pycroft.