Josh Inglis stars but Aussies suffer heavy defeat as South Africa claims series-clinching win
Updated . First published at
Josh Inglis pummelled 87 runs on Friday night but had little help as Australia was bowled out for 193 in an unsuccessful chase in the second one-day international against South Africa, who took an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Australia is the reigning 50-over World Cup champion but has now lost seven of its past eight games in the format, including the two matches it's played since Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell retired from ODI cricket.
Set 278 to win in Cairns, the Australians' chase got off to a horrible start with opener Travis Head and first drop Marnus Labuschagne both falling in the first four overs, leaving the hosts reeling at 2-7.
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Inglis countered the Proteas with a knock of 87 from 74 balls at No.5, including 10 fours and two sixes, and No.4 Cameron Green, who was dropped in the slips facing his first ball, made a cautious 35 from 54.
But the Mitch Marsh-skippered side folded for 193 in 37.4 overs, losing by 84 runs.
In a dismal collapse, the hosts lost their last five wickets for only 18 runs.
Josh Inglis hits down the ground. Getty
Right-arm quick Lungi Ngidi inflicted the majority of the damage, taking 5-42.
Labuschagne has recorded two failures from two innings since being axed from the Test side after the World Test Championship final, falling for 1 on both occasions in the ongoing series.
The former No.1-ranked Test batter took two wickets in the second match but failed with the bat at first drop, where he also batted in the series-opener.
Head and Marsh threw their wickets away with rash shots on Friday night, while Labuschagne fell when he went fishing for a ball wide outside off.
Lungi Ngidi celebrates one of his five wickets. Getty
Earlier, South Africa's Matthew Breetzke clubbed 88 from 78 balls at No.4, including eight fours and two sixes.
No.5 Tristan Stubbs also caused problems for Australia, peeling off 74 from 87.
Australia will try to avoid a series whitewash in the third ODI, to be played in Mackay on Sunday.
