Warner, Labuschagne hit tons as Australia go on batting rampage

BLOEMFONTEIN: David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne hit centuries as Australia went on a batting rampage in the second One-day International against South Africa at the Mangaung Oval on Saturday.

Warner made 109 and Labuschagne 124 in an Australian total of 392 for eight after the tourists were sent in.

Warner and Travis Head brutalised South Africa’s fast bowlers during an opening partnership of 109 off 72 balls, with Head thrashing 64 off 36 balls with nine fours and three sixes. The pair scored 102 in the ten-over power play.

There was a brief respite for South Africa when spinner Tabraiz Shamsi dismissed Head and Mitchell Marsh off successive deliveries.

But Labuschagne followed up his match-winning 80 not out in the first match at the same venue on Thursday — when he came into the team as a concussion substitute for Cameron Green — with another polished innings.

Warner and Labuschagne put on 151 for the third wicket off 124 balls, with Warner going to his 20th ODI century off 85 deliveries.

Labuschagne was even quicker, reaching his second ODI century off 80 balls. Both his hundreds have been made in the country of his birth. He hit 108 in Potchefstroom in March 2020.

It was Australia’s third-highest total in the 50-overs format and the fourth-highest conceded by South Africa.