Australia’s top order turned on the fireworks in Mackay on Sunday, with all-rounder Cameron Green stealing the show by hammering his maiden ODI century in just 47 balls—the second-fastest hundred by an Australian in One-Day Internationals. Only Glenn Maxwell’s 40-ball effort against the Netherlands at the 2023 World Cup was quicker.
Australia became only the second team in the history of ODI cricket—across 4,897 matches—to have all top three batters score centuries in a single innings. The first team to achieve this rare feat was South Africa, against the West Indies in 2015.
On that occasion, openers Hashim Amla (153*) and Rilee Rossouw (128) laid a solid foundation before AB de Villiers unleashed a brutal assault, smashing a 44-ball 149. During that innings, he also set the record for the fastest ODI century, reaching the milestone in just 31 balls.
Promoted to No. 3, Green strode to the crease after a record opening stand and launched a brutal assault on South Africa’s depleted bowling attack. He remained unbeaten on 118 from just 55 deliveries, striking eight sixes and six fours, powering Australia to a mammoth 431 for 2—their second-highest total in ODI history.
On a flat Mackay pitch with little margin for error, South Africa’s bowlers were put to the sword. The seamers, in particular, bore the brunt of the punishment, with Wiaan Mulder returning figures of 0 for 93 from seven overs – the most expensive spell by a South African in ODI cricket.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj (1 for 57) was the only wicket-taker, while Deon Bosch (0 for 68) showed glimpses of control in an otherwise bruising day for the visitors.
Despite the thrashing, South Africa had already sealed the three-match series 2-0, following back-to-back wins in Cairns and the second ODI in Mackay. Australia, playing for pride, ensured they didn’t leave empty-handed – with Green’s dazzling knock providing the perfect exclamation point.
