LIVE: Aussies hunt Wanderers miracle after heartwarming ton

Innings break report: Australia require the highest run chase at the Wanderers since South Africa's 438-game miracle after an injury to Nathan Ellis soured their already rough outing with the ball in the second ODI against South Africa.

David Miller struck a career-high 142 from only 93 balls that was as brutal – smashing nine sixes through the thin Highveld air – as it was heartwarming – paying tribute to his mother Jenny, a breast cancer survivor whose name adorned the back of his shirt – on South Africa's Pink Day.  

The left-hander's 156-run partnership with Temba Bavuma (103 from 116 on the way to his sixth ODI ton) was the backbone of the Proteas' 9-365.

It's the highest score Australia have conceded since the 2023 World Cup and has them needing their highest successful ODI run chase.

With Ellis only able to bowl four overs after hurting his side mid-innings, second-gamer Jack Edwards (5-67 off 10 overs) stepped up.

The allrounder took his maiden international wicket with his third ball, nicking off first ODI centurion Matthew Breetzke, before recording not only his maiden ODI five-for but his first in all List A cricket.

Ellis was playing his fifth ODI in 12 days, suffering Australia's third injury in their last four games with Josh Inglis (broken finger) and Billy Stanlake (side strain) having also gone down on their African tour.

The site of Cameron Green clutching his shoulder after a throw late in the South Africa innings was also concerning. The allrounder remained on the field and again did not bowl having returned this week as a batter only.  

Mitch Marsh's call to insert his opponents at the toss looked to pay off immediately when Cooper Connolly's stunning one-handed catch meant Aiden Markram's first international innings in six months lasted one ball.

It came as one of two new-ball wickets for Josh Hazlewood who was otherwise expensive in coughing up 34 from his first five overs – the most he has ever conceded in an ODI Powerplay.  

On the way to his eighth ODI hundred, Miller piled on the pain for the Aussies, playing a series of eye-catching strokes through and over the off-side, while Bavuma pulled almost anything above stump height.

Bavuma profited from some good fortune – Xavier Bartlett missed a chance to run him out on 32 and Edwards dropped a difficult diving catch when he was on 33 – while he was also slowed by nasty blow to his right arm off Edwards' bowling.

But his anchoring hand was a sure sign the Test skipper is in good form ahead of next month's Test series.  

Australia's short-ball ploy to Marco Jansen paid off after the allrounder's blazing cameo in Durban, Edwards having him caught for 19 off 15.

But his brother Duan, called in to play his first international alongside his twin amid South Africa's pace injury crisis, pulled a reasonable impersonation in hitting 27no off 18.

Adam Zampa's 0-77 from nine overs marked the second worst return of his ODI career.

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First ODI: South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs

Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 9:30pm AEST (D/N, 1:30pm local)

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs

Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Warm-up match: October 3-4, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 6pm AEST (10am local)

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster