Bavuma displayed outstanding resilience, carrying his bat with an unbeaten 114 that propelled South Africa to a complete of 222 all out. At one level, it appeared greater than adequate as Australia, adopting an ultra-aggressive method, stumbled to 113 for seven by the 17th over.
Nevertheless, Labuschagne, positioned at quantity eight within the batting order as a alternative for Cameron Inexperienced, injected composure into the Australian innings, concluding with a powerful 80 not out. He shaped an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership price 112 runs alongside Ashton Agar, who contributed an unbeaten 48.
Inexperienced’s departure from the match occurred when he was struck on the left earpiece of his helmet by the second ball he confronted from Kagiso Rabada, leading to his exclusion.
“Some bizarre issues occur round concussions,” mentioned man of the match Labuschagne on the after-match presentation.
His Check profession was ignited when he changed Steve Smith throughout a Check at Lord’s in 2019.
Labuschagne was not chosen in Australia’s World Cup squad and solely joined the squad in South Africa after Steve Smith withdrew with a wrist harm.
He mentioned he had taken solely a brief break after this yr’s Ashes sequence in England earlier than getting again to work.
“I knew I wanted to enhance my one-day recreation,” he mentioned.
Bavuma batted all through the South African innings whereas his teammates crumbled in opposition to correct bowling on a sluggish, dry pitch with uneven bounce.
Bavuma was dropped on two when Agar put down a diving likelihood at backward level off Sean Abbott.
He survived once more on 88, with final man Lungi Ngidi on the wicket, when he top-edged a slog in opposition to leg-spinner Adam Zampa and wicketkeeper Alex Carey spilled an easy likelihood.
Two overs later, Bavuma hit Zampa for six and 4 to lift his fifth one-day worldwide century.
He completed with 14 fours and a six off 142 balls regardless of scuffling with cramp in the direction of the tip of the innings.
He watched the Australian innings from the workforce balcony.
“We weren’t at our greatest with the ball,” mentioned Bavuma.
“Marnus took the alternatives he bought early on and stabilised the innings.”
(With inputs from Reuters)