Australia pulled off a historic win in Mackay on Sunday, thrashing South Africa by 276 runs in the third and final ODI to avoid a series whitewash. The margin of victory wasn’t just massive—it was record-breaking.
This was the first time in the 54-year history of ODI cricket that any team defeated South Africa by more than 250 runs. Australia also recorded its biggest-ever ODI win on home soil and its second-biggest win overall.
Australia’s Batting Carnage
After choosing to bat first at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Australia unleashed a batting masterclass. The hosts piled up a colossal 431/2 in 50 overs, with centuries from Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green setting up the game perfectly.
Connolly Shines With the Ball
If the batting wasn’t enough, 22-year-old Cooper Connolly stole the spotlight with the ball. The young spinner produced a dream spell, finishing with 5 wickets for just 22 runs in six overs, tearing through South Africa’s batting order. Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott chipped in with two wickets each as the visitors folded for just 155 in 24.5 overs.
A Historic Margin
The crushing win by 276 runs is now:
Australia’s second-biggest victory in ODI history
The biggest ODI win ever recorded in Australia
The heaviest defeat for South Africa in their ODI history
Before this, South Africa’s worst ODI loss was a 243-run defeat to India in the 2023 World Cup at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
ODI Records Updated
This result also placed Australia alongside India as one of the dominant teams when it comes to 250+ run wins in ODIs. Both sides now have four such victories each.
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Zimbabwe (304 runs) vs USA, 2023 in Harare
Australia (276 runs) vs South Africa, 2025 in Mackay
South Africa Left Stunned
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, and his men were left with no answers, bundled out cheaply in a chase that never got going.