After eliminating South Africa in the 3-match T20 series, Australia continued the same streak and defeated the hosts by three wickets in the first ODI at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein on Thursday. They now lead the 5-match ODI series 1-0 ahead of the ODI World Cup in India next month. South Africa presented a tough challenge in the first ODI, while the Australian team troubled them in the T20 series. The Proteas team, which came to bat first in the match, was all out for 222 runs in 49 overs. A one-man show from Temba Bavuma (114) helped them reach a respectable score on a sluggish track.
After losing David Warner early, Travis Head (33) and Mitchell Marsh (17) threatened to take the game away from South Africa by hitting boundaries. However, Kagiso Rabada and Co. bowled well to take the visitors’ score to 113/7. Marnus Labuschagne (80*) came into the playing eleven in the second game as a concussion replacement for Cameron Green and won the game for his team with a brilliant half-century. Ashton Agar (48*) supported him well by making important contributions in the lower order. His innings reiterated the importance of batting depth in modern cricket.
Cricket lovers on social media enjoyed the exciting ODI match between the two teams on Thursday. He expressed his reaction through some funny memes. Here is the collection of the best memes:
Marnus Labuschagne when Australia was 113/7 pic.twitter.com/7ofLWPBqi8
— ᴅʏɴᴏ (@dyno_twee) September 7, 2023
Marnus Labuschagne on bench as soon as a batter gets hit on helmet. pic.twitter.com/D8PpqjPTOp
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 7, 2023
*Marnus Labuschagne*
In rest of the When someone game gets hit on head#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/QfBydx7qkJ— Rishabh (@Pun_Intended___) September 7, 2023
Marnus Labuschagne to be the concussion sub in place of Cameron Green #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/4PkaiHABUs
— aman (@bilateral_bully) September 7, 2023
Nothing just a pic of Marnus Labuschagne coming into bat as a concussion substitute pic.twitter.com/mYxO2lEpVK
— Shianx (@__shivansh02) September 7, 2023
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4 Wins in A Row, It’s Nice To Keep Winning: Australia Captain Mitchell Marsh
Speaking at the post-match presentation, the Australian captain reflected on the victory and said:
“A gutsy win! The boys were unbelievable! We lost a few wickets early on, we showed plenty of intent, which I was really happy about. Certainly directed to play without fear. Lucky to have Marnus come in and have that incredible partnership. He (Labuschagne) is the perfect man to come in for that job. That’s one of the great things about him, tonight was a classic innings.
Mitchell Marsh added:
“4 wins in a row, it’s nice to keep winning. Really proud of the boys, we bowled really well, used the conditions to our benefit, saw the wicket during the day. Very happy for the boys. (On a place for Labuschagne in the World Cup squad) Luckily, I’m just a stand-in skipper, so I don’t have to make those decisions!”
Australia and South Africa will face each other in the second ODI of the 5-match series on Saturday (September 9) at the same venue.
