Breetzke, Stubbs Shine but South Africa Falter to 277 in 2nd ODI Against Australia
Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs offered hope with a promising middle-order stand, but South Africa failed to capitalize on their foundation, folding for 277 in the second ODI against Australia at Harrup Park. The hosts, led by a combined spin effort and smart bowling changes, tightened the screws in the final 10 overs to restrict the visitors on a sluggish pitch.
Breetzke, continuing his dream start to ODI cricket, scored a composed 88 — his fourth consecutive half-century — and extended his lead as the series’ top scorer. Stubbs, meanwhile, finally found form with a fluent 74, ending a 16-innings drought across formats without a fifty. The pair added 89 for the fourth wicket after South Africa were reduced to 23 for 2 inside six overs.
Early Strikes for Bartlett, Hazlewood
Xavier Bartlett, returning to the side in place of the rested Ben Dwarshuis, struck early by removing stand-in skipper Aiden Markram for a duck in the first over. Markram, who continues to struggle as captain (average 24.28 when leading), misjudged a delivery and chipped it to midwicket. Ryan Rickelton followed soon after, caught behind off Bartlett for a shaky 11.
Middle-Order Recovery Led by Breetzke and Stubbs
Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi rebuilt with a 67-run stand, blending aggression with smart rotation of strike. De Zorzi impressed with clean hitting before falling to Adam Zampa for 30, handing the legspinner a simple return catch.
Stubbs joined Breetzke at 90 for 3 and took time to settle, but eventually unleashed his range — flicking Zampa for six and reverse-sweeping Travis Head. Breetzke brought up his fifty in 46 balls and looked on course for a maiden ODI ton before falling to Nathan Ellis, caught in the deep for 88.
Dewald Brevis followed shortly in identical fashion, mistiming a pull off Ellis to deep square leg.
Australian Spinners Choke South Africa's Finish
South Africa reached 233 for 5 at the end of the 40th over, eyeing a 300+ total. However, Australia's spinners had other plans. Marnus Labuschagne and Zampa triggered a collapse as South Africa lost 4 wickets for 31 runs in 35 balls.
Labuschagne removed Wiaan Mulder for 27 after two dropped chances, while Senuran Muthusamy gifted his wicket by holing out to deep midwicket. Stubbs, trying to accelerate, mistimed a shot to midwicket, departing for 74. Zampa then removed Nandre Burger as Cameron Green completed his fourth catch of the innings — equalling the Australian record for most catches in an ODI innings.
Late Resistance, But No Finish
Keshav Maharaj offered some resistance with an unbeaten 22 off 24, but ran out of partners as Lungi Ngidi was bowled by Josh Hazlewood in the first ball of the final over — Hazlewood’s first ODI wicket in over 199 deliveries.
Bowling Standouts
Zampa led the bowling attack with 3 for 63, while Labuschagne and Ellis chipped in with two wickets apiece. Bartlett's early breakthroughs (2 for 37) set the tone, and Australia’s decision to utilize seven bowlers — including three spinners — paid off handsomely.
With South Africa bowled out in 49.1 overs, Australia will be confident chasing 278, especially on a surface where scoring gets harder under lights. The visitors will be left ruing their poor finish after a promising middle phase and will need to reconsider their shot selection under pressure ahead of the next clash.
Score Summary:
South Africa – 277 all out in 49.1 overs (Breetzke 88, Stubbs 74; Zampa 3-63, Labuschagne 2-31, Ellis 2-46)
Australia – Yet to bat