Australian all-rounder Steve Smith knocked a brilliant 73 runs off 55 deliveries as Aaron Finch fired away a ton to help Australia record a 73-run win over South Africa in the third ODI at Manuka Oval.
Finch and Hashim Amla traded brilliant centuries, but it was the signature batting performance of Smith's career that proved the difference as Australia successfully defended 5-329 to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, which continues in Melbourne on Friday.
The Australian bowlers also did their part and with spearhead Mitchell Johnson rested, another left-arm quick Mitchell Starc grabbed his chance with a superb four-wicket haul, accompanied by Josh Hazlewood (3-51) and Kane Richardson also illustrating the depth of Australia's fast bowling stocks ahead of the World Cup, as they dug deep to claim two crucial wickets of Amla and AB de Villiers when the game was on the line, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Smith was inexplicably dropped for Australia's first ODI against South Africa and was only reinstated after skipper Michael Clarke broke down in Perth, but the all-rounder confirmed that he's a compulsory selection in Australia's full-strength World Cup XI with or without their injured skipper.
Amla's 17th career ODI century and another extraordinary cameo from De Villiers put South Africa in the frame for the second biggest run-chase ever on Australian soil, before they departed in successive overs with the tourists still 104 runs from home.
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Richardson, left out of the side for the opening two matches, was hammered in his opening spell, going for 28 from his first three overs. But the death bowling hopeful showed great character to fight back and trap danger man de Villiers lbw for 52 off 34.
When Test-bound quick Hazlewood followed up by crashing through the stumps of Amla (102 off 115), Australia were flying.
Starc nabbed David Miller in the 39th to make it three wickets in three overs for the rampant Australians who went on to roll their opponents for 256, reaping the benefits of the finest young crop of fast bowlers at just the right time.
After Australia won the toss, opener Finch (109) blasted his fifth ODI hundred to lay the foundations in a 118-run stand with David Warner (53).
Shane Watson also found his groove in a scintillating 40 off 38, but of all the big-hitting at a packed Manuka Oval, nothing compared to the free-spirited masterclass put on by Smith.
The 25-year-old is being touted as future Australian captain and would be relied upon to lift the Test middle-order this summer whenever Clarke is absent, the report added.
