# Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI: Proteas lead 2-0, result near midnight PKT

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/australia-vs-south-africa-3rd-odi-proteas-lead-2-0-result-near-midnight-pkt)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 30 Sept 2026
Updated: 30 Sept 2026
Retrieved: 30 Sept 2026

> Australia bat first in Potchefstroom as a rested South Africa chase a clean sweep. Timings in Pakistan time, both XIs, the series so far and the Test dates.

**Australia vs South Africa, 3rd ODI, is under way in Potchefstroom on Wednesday 30 September 2026**, with Australia batting first after stand-in captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl in cold, overcast conditions. A wet outfield delayed the toss and the start by half an hour, but no overs were lost. South Africa already lead the three-match series **2-0**, so Australia are playing to avoid a clean sweep.

## Australia vs South Africa in Pakistan time

It is a day-night match. After the delay, play began at about **5pm PKT**, so the innings break falls around **8:30pm PKT** and the result is likely **close to midnight PKT**. Live scores of this and every match Pakistani fans follow are in our [cricket match centre](/cricket-today).

## How the series got here

| Match | Venue | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1st ODI, Thu 24 Sep | Durban | **South Africa won by 67 runs** (SA 297/8, Aus 230 in 41.2 overs) |
| 2nd ODI, Sun 27 Sep | Johannesburg | **South Africa won by 32 runs** (SA 365/9, Aus 333 in 49.5 overs) |
| 3rd ODI, Wed 30 Sep | Potchefstroom | In progress |

Australia captain **Mitchell Marsh** is the series' leading run-scorer with 200 runs at 66.66, and left-arm spinner **Keshav Maharaj** has six wickets at 12.33 for South Africa.

## Five changes for South Africa, big names back for Australia

With the series won, South Africa rested **Temba Bavuma** and other key players ahead of the Tests, and brought in Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Ryan Rickelton, Nqobani Mokoena and Gerald Coetzee. Australia made three changes: **Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Ollie Peake** came in for Jack Edwards, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis.

**South Africa:** Aiden Markram (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams, Nqobani Mokoena.

**Australia:** Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Peake, Alex Carey (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

## Why Pakistani fans are watching

Both sides are building towards the **2027 ODI World Cup** in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the same tournament Pakistan are preparing for with an ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England at home from 18 October. South Africa's depth, and how Australia's quicks handle the Highveld, are a preview of the conditions Pakistan will face there next year. Pakistan's own fixtures are on our [Pakistan cricket schedule 2026-27](/news/cricket/pakistan-cricket-schedule-2026-27-fixtures-in-pakistan-time).

## What comes next: three Tests

| Match | Dates | Venue | Start (PKT) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tour match | 3 to 4 Oct | Potchefstroom | 1pm |
| 1st Test | 9 to 13 Oct | Durban | 12:30pm |
| 2nd Test | 18 to 22 Oct | Gqeberha | 1pm |
| 3rd Test | 27 to 31 Oct | Cape Town | 1:30pm |

We will add the result of the 3rd ODI to this page tonight.

## Frequently asked questions

**What time is Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI in Pakistan?**

It is a day-night match in Potchefstroom. After a 30-minute delay for a wet outfield, play started at about 5pm PKT on 30 September 2026, with the result expected close to midnight PKT.

**Who has won the Australia vs South Africa ODI series?**

South Africa, who won the first two ODIs by 67 runs in Durban and 32 runs in Johannesburg to lead 2-0 with one to play.

## Sources

- Markram-led South Africa make five changes and opt to bowl (30 Sep 2026) (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/markram-led-south-africa-make-five-changes-and-opt-to-bowl-1556605
- Australia tour of South Africa 2026-27: fixtures and results (ESPNcricinfo): https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-in-south-africa-2026-27-1525634/match-schedule-fixtures-and-results

How to cite: "Australia vs South Africa 3rd ODI: Proteas lead 2-0, result near midnight PKT", Searchable, 30 Sept 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/australia-vs-south-africa-3rd-odi-proteas-lead-2-0-result-near-midnight-pkt