AUS vs SA: Cooper Connolly breaks 20-year-old record with historic spell in 3rd ODI

Cooper Connolly made history on Sunday with a stunning spell of 6-0-22-5, the best bowling figures ever by an Australian spinner in men’s ODIs. The 21-year-old left-arm spinner ripped through South Africa in the third ODI at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, setting up Australia’s thumping 276-run win as the Proteas crumbled for 155 in just 24.5 overs.

In doing so, Connolly broke a record that had stood for 20 years - Brad Hogg’s 10-0-32-5 against the West Indies in Melbourne in 2005. His performance, delivered in only his fifth ODI, also secured him a place in an exclusive group of Australian spinners to claim a five-wicket haul in the format.

Australia vs South Africa, 3rd ODI Highlights

That list includes greats such as Shane Warne, Adam Zampa, Michael Clarke, and Hogg himself, underlining the significance of Connolly’s achievement so early in his career.

Best bowling figures by Australian spinner in ODIs

Cooper Connolly – 6-0-22-5 (vs South Africa, Mackay, 24 Aug 2025)

Brad Hogg – 10-0-32-5 (vs West Indies, Melbourne, 14 Jan 2005)

Shane Warne – 9.3-1-33-5 (vs West Indies, Sydney, 8 Dec 1996)

Michael Clarke – 7.5-0-35-5 (vs Sri Lanka, Dambulla, 22 Feb 2004)

Adam Zampa – 9-0-35-5 (vs New Zealand, Cairns, 8 Sep 2022)

Brad Hogg – 9.3-1-41-5 (vs Sri Lanka, Dambulla, 20 Feb 2004)

Australia dominate South Africa

Australia handed South Africa their biggest-ever defeat in ODI history, closing the series 1-2 and avoiding a clean sweep. The Proteas’ previous heaviest loss came by 243 runs against India at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2023.

Australia’s batting fireworks powered them to 431 for two – their second-highest ODI total. Travis Head smashed 142 off 103 balls, Mitchell Marsh anchored with a steady 100, and Cameron Green produced a breathtaking 118* from just 55 deliveries. Green’s century, reached in only 47 balls, highlighted his destructive power, while Alex Carey chipped in with a brisk 50 to round off the innings.

In reply, South Africa faltered under early pressure from Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett. Dewald Brevis briefly resisted with a 28-ball 49 before falling to Cooper Connolly, as Australia sealed their second-biggest ODI win by margin of runs.