AUS vs SA 3rd ODI: Cooper Connolly’s magical spell powers Australia to become first team in history achieve rare feat

If Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green grabbed the headlines with the bat, youngster Cooper Connolly decided to rewrite history as Australia defeated South Africa by 276 runs in the third ODI on Sunday to avoid a series whitewash in Mackay. Having already won the ODI series, the Proteas had the perfect opportunity to make it 3-0. 

But Connolly’s magic with the ball left South Africa reeling and eventually surrendering to their biggest loss margin in terms of runs. Connolly returned with figures of 5/22 in six overs. Just two days after turning 22, Connolly became the youngest to claim a five-wicket haul for Australia. 

The record was previously held by Craig McDermott, who scripted the same at the age of 22 years 204 days against Pakistan in 1987. Chasing an improbable 432 runs to win, South Africa never really got settled as they lost wickets at regular intervals.