Warner, Smith's superlative hundreds power Australia to 371
David Warner (117) and Steven Smith's (108) splendid centuries elevated Australia to an imposing total of 371 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs against South Africa in the crucial third One-Day International played at Kingsmead, Durban on Wednesday (October 5). If Warner set the platform, then Smith attuned himself well to the conditions in the middle overs to keep the scorecard ticking.
At the start of Australia's innings, it was Warner and Aaron Finch (53) who electrified the Kingsmead stadium. Warner blossomed from the outset as he punched, drove and slogged in the arc between mid-on and midwicket to lay down the early marker.
Even Kagiso Rabada, the exciting young fast bowler, bore the brunt of the savage attack as Warner heaved one over square leg and then flat-batted the pacer straight down the ground for a couple of boundaries in the sixth over. As the sound of Warner's willow on the leather filled the air, Faf Du Plessis's worried demeanour indicated that the match was slowly slipping away from South Africa's grasp.
His partner-in-crime, Finch, too, combined power and placement in equal measure. The highlight of his innings was the lofted stroke that he essayed off Dale Steyn over the long-on region for a six. With a stable base and fast hands, he just thumped the fuller length delivery through the line.
Just when it looked like Finch and Warner's alliance would take Australia to a gargantuan total, Imran Tahir dislodged the former. The wily spinner cleverly floated it up in the air and Finch's attempted loft ended up in the hands of Rabada stationed at long-off.
The trio of Tahir, Phehlukwayo and JP Duminy plugged away by bowling with nagging control in the middle overs. The bowlers were also supported by the ever-alert fielders in the inner circle. With the odd delivery stopping on the batsman, the duo of Smith and Warner mainly looked to steal quick singles and twos.
It was only in the 29th over when the pair checked in a volley of boundaries off Dwaine Pretorius to up the ante. Warner soon reached his eighth hundred. Barring Quinton de Kock missing a tough stumping chance in the 31st over, it was a chanceless century from the swashbuckling opener. It was Tahir who again came to South Africa's rescue by prising out Warner, with Duminy grabbing the catch at long-on.
Once Warner was dismissed, George Bailey (28) and Smith launched a few lusty blows. Even after Bailey fell to Phehlukwayo, Smith bisected the gaps with precision and compiled his sixth ODI hundred. Early on in his innings, Smith largely chose calculation over taking risks by nurdling and nudging the ball around before he used the depth of the crease to find the boundary boards on both sides of the wicket. It was an innings of deliberation and tactical nous from the Australian skipper.
In the last few overs of the innings, Matthew Wade (17 not out) and Travis Head (35) shared a rollicking stand of 46 to propel Australia to the highest ever total compiled in an ODI in Durban.
On a flat deck, only Tahir impressed and returned fine figures of 10-0-54-2. Rest of the bowlers largely struggled to stem the run-flow. Rabada and Steyn, in particular, came in for some severe punishment.
With the series at stake, Australia have put the runs on the board and now Smith will hope for his inexperienced attack to deliver in the crunch game.
Brief scores: Australia 371 for 6 in 50 overs (David Warner 117, Steve Smith 108; Imran Tahir 2-54) vs South Africa.
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