AUSTRALIA BEAT SOUTH AFRICA IN RAIN-HIT THIRD ODI TO AVOID SERIES SWEEP

Australia beat South Africa by 45 runs under the DLS method in a rain-affected third one-day international in Potchefstroom, avoiding a series sweep. Rain delayed the start by half an hour and later forced the match to be abandoned under lights before South Africa could finish their chase. Put in to bat, Australia reached 322-9, built on half-centuries from Alex Carey and stand-in captain Mitch Marsh, plus 48 from Ollie Peake. South Africa reached 145-4 off 28 overs when play ended, with Ryan Rickelton unbeaten on 71.

Adam Zampa took 2-34 and Xavier Bartlett claimed 2-25 as Australia's bowlers kept South Africa under control throughout. Pat Cummins returned to the side as a bowler only, with Marsh retaining the captaincy for the match, and finished with figures of 0-17 from five overs. Marsh and Travis Head put on 78 in an opening stand before Head was dismissed for 24. South Africa made four changes, resting player-of-the-series spinner Keshav Maharaj and captain Temba Bavuma. Bjorn Fortuin had Marsh leg-before-wicket, while Gerald Coetzee bowled Cooper Connolly, who made 23, with a yorker.

Carey's 74 off 88 balls marked a return to form after a difficult run in the series, and he shared a stand of 73 with Peake. Marsh's 56 off 42 balls was his third half-century of the series, following scores of 60 and 84 in Durban and Johannesburg. Cummins' bowling display in his first game back is expected to put him in good stead to lead Australia's Test side. According to the report, he is due to lead the side in the first Test against South Africa in Durban, which starts on 9 October.