Final result
Australia won by 276 runs
Player of the match: TM Head
Result · One-Day Internationals
Australia vs South Africa Cricket
Result · One-Day Internationals
Venue par · 354Chase success · 0%POTM · TM Head
Match preview & overview
Australia Post 431/2 to Beat South Africa by 276 Runs in Mackay ODI
Australia beat South Africa by 276 runs in the ODI at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay on 24 August 2025. Batting first after winning the toss, Australia posted 431/2 from 50 overs, a total built on three separate centuries: TM Head scoring 142 off 103 balls, MR Marsh adding 100 off 106, and C Green finishing unbeaten on 118 off 55. In reply, South Africa lost 4 wickets inside the powerplay for 65 runs and were eventually bowled out for 155. C Connolly took 5/22 from 6 overs to complete the rout. The result was effectively beyond doubt before the 20-over mark of the South African chase.
The margin of 276 runs is a significant statement in a series that, entering this match, had leaned South Africa's way. Three of the five previous meetings in 2025 had gone to South Africa, and their last visit to this venue had produced an 84-run win. Australia reversed that trend in the most emphatic fashion possible.
For context on the innings: Australia's 431/2 stands well above this venue's average first-innings score of 354 across its two recorded ODIs. The powerplay alone yielded 86 runs without loss, laying the groundwork for what followed.
Pitch report & venue insights
Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay — 2-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
2
T20 matches hosted
354
Avg 1st-innings score
174
Avg 2nd-innings score
0%
Chase success rate
71
Avg powerplay runs
0%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Three Australian centuries in one innings
TM Head (142 off 103), C Green (118* off 55) and MR Marsh (100 off 106) all reached three figures as Australia posted 431/2. It is rare for any side to produce three centurions in a single ODI innings, and the collective total stands as comfortably above this venue's average first-innings score of 354.
Angle 02
South Africa's powerplay collapse set the tone
Angle 03
C Connolly's five-wicket burst finished the chase
Angle 04
Australia won the toss and maximised the bat-first advantage
Angle 05
Series context: South Africa had led this rivalry in 2025
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may offer more differentiation than outright result lines when a side has three centurions in one innings, as the scoring is spread across the order rather than concentrated.
- Powerplay wicket markets could be worth monitoring in this series given South Africa's collapse to 65/4 in the first 10 overs here and the general trend of top-order pressure in recent fixtures.
- Venue-specific lines at Great Barrier Reef Arena carry limited historical sample size (only 2 recorded matches), so any market based on venue averages should be treated with caution.
- In a series this evenly matched across 115 meetings, match-by-match form tends to swing sharply. Outright series markets may reflect more stable long-term data than individual game lines.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Australia vs South Africa Cricket
What was the result of the Australia vs South Africa ODI on 24 August 2025?
Australia beat South Africa by 276 runs at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay. Australia posted 431/2 from their 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. South Africa were bowled out for 155 in reply.
Who won player of the match in the Australia vs South Africa ODI on 24 August 2025?
TM Head was named player of the match after scoring 142 off 103 balls at the top of Australia's innings. He was one of three Australian centurions on the day, alongside C Green (118* off 55) and MR Marsh (100 off 106).
Where to watch Australia vs South Africa ODI in the UK?
ODI cricket between Australia and South Africa is typically broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, available via Sky Go or a NOW TV day pass. Check the Sky Sports schedule for confirmed UK broadcast times, accounting for the time difference with Australia.
What is the head-to-head record between Australia and South Africa in ODIs?
Australia lead the all-time head-to-head 57 wins to 54 across 115 ODI meetings, with 4 no results. The margin is narrow given the volume of matches played, and in 2025 the series has been closely contested before this emphatic Australian win.
How did Australia score 431 against South Africa?
Three batters reached three figures: TM Head made 142 off 103 balls, MR Marsh added 100 off 106, and C Green finished with 118 not out off just 55 balls. Australia's powerplay produced 86 runs without loss, and the middle overs added 219 more. Green's acceleration in the final phase, contributing to 126 death-overs runs at no further cost, pushed the total well beyond 400.
How did South Africa's bowling perform in the match at Mackay?
South Africa's bowlers were unable to take a wicket in the powerplay or death overs of Australia's innings, conceding 86 and 126 runs respectively in those phases. The middle overs yielded both Australian wickets but at a cost of 219 runs, leaving the attack with figures that reflect the scale of the batting performance against them.
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Photo credits (3)
- Travis Head — photo by Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Cameron Green — photo by Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Mitchell Marsh — photo by www.davidmolloyphotography.com, CC BY 2.0 · source