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09/30 15:04 CDT Australia denies South Africa clean sweep by winning rain-affected third ODI Australia denies South Africa clean sweep by winning rain-affected third ODI POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa (AP) --- Australia avoided a 3-0 clean sweep against South Africa after winning a rain-affected third and final cricket ODI by 45 runs via the DLS Method on Wednesday. South Africa, which had already sealed the series with victories in Durban and Johannesburg, ended up on 145-4 in 28 overs. The rain started at 8.30pm local time with the home team well behind on DLS and the umpires then called the game off at 9.30pm. Australia had earlier posted 322-9 on the back of captain Mitchell Marsh's third successive half century and Alex Carey's 74 off 88 balls. Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett then continued to shine with the new ball and leg-spinner Adam Zampa hit the right lengths as both grabbed two wickets. South Africa made five changes with the century-makers at Johannesburg -- captain Temba Bavuma and David Miller -- rested. Quinton de Kock, who scored 14 and 15 in his last two innings, fell for a five-ball duck in Bartlett's first over and stand-in captain Aiden Markram, who had won the toss and elected to field, was out lbw for 15 as South Africa slipped to 30-2. Ryan Rickelton (71 not out) and Matthew Breetzke (25) then put on 72 for the third wicket. Pat Cummins, playing only his third ODI since winning the 2023 World Cup in India, was welcomed by Rickelton with a pulled six over mid-wicket. Zampa troubled the batters with his sharp leg-spin and googlies. Rickelton successfully overturned an lbw decision off the Australian bowler but Zampa continued to pose problems. Zampa struck in the 18th over when Carey carried out a smart stumping to remove Breetzke. Tristan Stubbs, one of the changes made by South Africa, perished for 14 when he misread Zampa's googly and was out lbw. The Australian bowlers kept pressing and allowed Rickelton and Corbin Bosch to add only 20 runs in six overs before the rain arrived. Earlier, Marsh's ultra-aggressive approach in the powerplay led to his 56 and provided Australia with another brisk start of 78, while opening partner Travis Head scored a better than run-a-ball 24. Carey and Oliver Peake (48) then consolidated with a 73-run fourth-wicket stand. Bosch dragged South Africa back in the death overs with the wickets of Carey and Cameron Green. The all-rounder ended up with 4-60 while Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams picked up two wickets each. ___ See AP's full cricket coverage here

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