Warner shoe malfunction in ugly Aussie collapse

Australia lost the third ODI by 111-runs in Potchefstroom amid a batting collapse, losing 7-70 after Warner, who pounded a 50 off just 27 balls in pursuit of South Africa’s 6-338, slipped when the shoe emblazoned with his wife’s name “Candy” on its side fell off as he attempted a quick single.

South African spinner Keshav Maharaj’s direct hit ended Warner’s innings in scenes Marsh said he “can‘t say we’ve seen that too many times in cricket”.

The wickets then continued to tumble as Maharaj and fellow spinner Tabraiz Shamsi claimed 4-66 between them to roll Australia for 227 on a pitch that could resemble those the Australians may find in India.

Marsh said the effort was a wake-up call for the Australians who had won the opening two games of the five-match series after a clean sweep of the T20 series as well.

“No doubt we‘ll be exposed to such conditions in the World Cup,” he said.

“We’ve generally played spin well, hope this was just a slip-up and we can jump back.”

Australian seamer Sean Abbott took what Marsh called “one of the best catches I have ever seen” in the outfield in one of the few highlights for the tourists as Aiden Markram’s century proved the difference.

The Australians went in without spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa, handing an ODI debut to Tanveer Sangha, who couldn’t replicate his stunning entry in to T20 cricket.

Travis Head impressed, taking 2-39, with Sangha snaring just a single wicket and conceding 64 runs as the home team put on their biggest score of the series.

Needing to compile their biggest successful run chase in South Africa, Warner and Head were again good at the top of the order, but the steady flow of wickets after their opening stand ended on 79, with only Marsh passing 20 as the batters struggled on the slow wicket, resulted in the heavy defeat.

Marsh said all-rounder Cameron Green could return from his concussion before the series ends, as could boom fast bowler Spencer Johnson, who is overcoming a hamstring issue.

Agar, who also missed the T20Is due to a calf injury before playing the opening two ODIs, will now head home for the birth of his first child and won’t get any more game time until potentially two World Cup warm-up matches in India before the tournament begins.

Originally published as Australia loses third ODI in South Africa by 111-runs after David Warner run-out