In a fascinating contest on the Nice Barrier Reef Enviornment, Australia‘s valiant effort fell quick as a superb fifer from South African pacer Lungi Ngidi secured a series-clinching win for the guests within the second ODI by 84 runs. Regardless of a heroic and combating knock from wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who battled to maintain the hosts’ hopes alive, the Australian batting lineup crumbled beneath immense stress. Ngidi’s sensational efficiency, a career-best five-wicket haul, uncovered the fragility of a new-look Australian center order, sealing a memorable sequence victory for South Africa with one match nonetheless to play.
Josh Inglis’ lone battle in Australia’s collapse as Lungi Ngidi’s sensational fifer seals the sequence for South Africa
Chasing South Africa’s formidable whole of 277, Australia’s innings bought off to a disastrous begin, shedding key wickets in fast succession. The highest order, together with openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, and off form Marnus Labuschagne, all fell cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 38/3. It was at this important juncture that Inglis got here to the crease and, with Cameron Inexperienced, started the monumental activity of rebuilding the innings. Inglis performed a knock of exceptional composure and aggression, a much-needed return to kind after a latest dry spell.
He introduced up his half-century with a assured single, showcasing his vary of shot-making. His partnership with Inexperienced, which added 67 runs, gave Australia a glimmer of hope. Nonetheless, wickets continued to fall round him, and with the required run charge climbing, Inglis was pressured to tackle extra of the burden. He fought bravely, hitting 10 fours and a pair of sixes in his 74-ball innings earlier than he was finally dismissed for a powerful 87, caught behind off the bowling of the person of the hour, Ngidi. His dismissal successfully sealed Australia’s destiny because the hosts have been bundled out for 193 in 37.4 overs.
Whereas Inglis was single-handedly preserving Australia within the hunt, Lungi Ngidi was the chief architect of their downfall. The South African pacer, recognized for his categorical tempo and efficient variations, delivered a masterclass in managed aggression Ngidi’s essential breakthrough got here when he eliminated the set batter Inglis, however he had already accomplished vital injury earlier within the innings. His spell was a mix of well-directed quick balls and correct slower deliveries that persistently discovered the sides. He completed with figures of 5/42 in 8.4 overs. that completely seize his dominance, claiming 5 wickets to dismantle the Australian center and decrease order. Ngidi’s fifer not solely secured a win within the second ODI but in addition clinched the sequence for South Africa.
Additionally READ: AUS vs SA: Fans brutally troll Marnus Labuschagne after his poor form with the bat continues in 2nd ODI
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Sequence winnnnn! That’s 5 ODI sequence wins in a roooow over Australia 👏👏👏 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/OP6h4xGd56
— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) August 22, 2025
Properly performed, Josh Inglis 🙌#Cricket #JoshInglis #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/cUCOW8Xs7D
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 22, 2025
VICTOOOOORYYYYY🔥🔥🔥
We now have gained the ODI sequence in Australia with a match nonetheless remaining!!
An absolute thrashing, 98 runs after which 84
A masterclass from Ngidi tonight 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZU6iCQDaKT
— Werner (@Werries_) August 22, 2025
Lungi Ngidi nearing high 10 SA ODI wicket-takers.
Bowled very properly right this moment. Backed his inventory ball extra and hit the seam. Not turn into predictable along with his slower-ball or bowl so many you badly execute some. pic.twitter.com/98n7pfcszH
— Grant (@grantbn6) August 22, 2025
FIVE for Ngidi!!! What a marvellous efficiency from Lungi!!
SA win by 84 runs and win the sequence!#AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/hJdbAbJZYA
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) August 22, 2025
Ngidi is bowling himself again into kind. Has been bowling rather well because the Zim/NZ tri-series.
— Dale (@ncakos316) August 22, 2025
Lungi Ngidi’s slower ball is a cheat code. Very underrated exponent of the change of tempo.
Josh Inglis masking one other disappointing batting show by Australia.#AUSvSA
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) August 22, 2025
AUS can take a look at Inglis in Take a look at cricket as a stop-gap choice sooner or later. He has improved v tempo too.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) August 22, 2025
Josh Inglis ought to be made captain of the Australian cricket workforce in white ball.
— ARNOLD (@Neyfiction) August 22, 2025
Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs takes South Africa to a aggressive whole
Earlier, South Africa’s first innings was a story of two sturdy partnerships, bookended by early troubles and a late-innings collapse, that finally noticed them submit a aggressive whole of 277 on the board. After profitable the toss and electing to bat first, the guests bought off to a shaky begin. The Australian bowlers, led by Xavier Bartlett, struck early, sending each openers, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, again to the pavilion with simply 23 runs on the board.
Regardless of the early setbacks, the innings was stabilized by a vital 67-run partnership between Tony de Zorzi (38) and Matthew Breetzke (88). Their aggressive method and good shot choice helped them counter the Australian assault and get the innings again on monitor. Breetzke was notably spectacular, scoring at a brisk tempo to notch up a career-best of 88. After de Zorzi’s dismissal, Breetzke discovered one other in a position accomplice in Tristan Stubbs (74).
This pair constructed on the stable basis, including one other 89 runs for the fourth wicket and setting the Proteas up for an enormous end. Nonetheless, a late-innings collapse triggered by the dismissals of Breetzke and Stubbs, together with the decrease order’s battle in opposition to the Australian spinners, meant South Africa couldn’t capitalize on their sturdy place. They have been finally bowled out for 277 in 49.1 overs, with Labuschagne and Adam Zampa doing probably the most injury within the late overs.
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