Playing in his 100th innings, David Miller scored a blazing ton to lead South Africa to victory over Australia in the decisive third One Day International played at Hobart on Sunday and stitched a record-partnership along the way.
Walking in at 55 for 3 in the 16th over, Miller joined captain Faf du Plessis to build a mammoth 252-run partnership, the highest for the Proteas against the Aussies, that saw his side score 320/5. Miller departed only with two balls to spare in the innings for 139 in just 108 balls at a strike rate of 128.70 peppered with 13 fours and 4 sixes.
He brought up his fifty in 64 balls with a pull shot to deep square for a four and his hundred in 95 balls, also with a four but this time with a crack at short third man, taking just 31 balls to convert his half-century to a ton. It was Miller's fifth ODI hundred and his highest score in the format, coming in his 100th innings.
An outstanding knock from Miller and he's having some fun out there! #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/B7YNc7lo3J
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 11, 2018
Faf du Plessis and David Miller put on a clinic in the highest ODI stand against Australia EVER! Some of these shots are just incredible...
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 11, 2018
#AUSvSA @toyota_aus pic.twitter.com/6Q2ct01MGH
Once he had reached his landmark, Miller unleashed. From the boundary that brought up his century, he scored 41 runs in 12 balls before playing his first dot ball in 10 overs, after which he holed out to deep midwicket. In the last 51 balls, 51 runs were scored in the blitz.
Australia conceded 174 runs in the last 15 overs as du Plessis -- who scored 125 in 114 balls -- and Miller broke a partnership record that stood for 18 years.
David Miller scored his last 50 runs off 20 balls. #AUSvSA
— Adam White (@White_Adam) November 11, 2018
"It's always a great feeling to contribute, and when you win it's sweeter," said Miller, who was declared as Man of the Match. "We were in a little bit of trouble so nice to bat some time. Wanted to extend the partnership as much as we could. Nice to make it a big one."
Highest ODI partnerships v Australia. #Cricket
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) November 11, 2018
252 - Faf & Miller
237 - Sanath & Marvan
221 - Root & Roy
The score proved too much for Australia as they ended with 280/9, going down by 40 runs and handing the ODI series 2-1 to South Africa.