David Warner and Steve Smith hit centuries to lead a strong Australian batting performance in the third one-day international against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday. The left-handed Warner hit 117 and captain Smith made 108 as Australia made 371 for six, a ground record, after winning the toss and batting in a match which they have to win to stay in with a chance of winning the five-game series.
It was only the third time in 42 one-day internationals that a team had made 300 or more at Kingsmead, a ground which seldom yields big totals. Warner made his runs off 107 balls, with 13 fours and two sixes, while Smith, who said at the toss that "every match is a final for us" after they lost the first two games, faced 107 balls and hit nine fours and a six.
Warner and Aaron Finch gave Australia a blazing start, putting on 110 for the first wicket off 81 balls, with fast bowler Dale Steyn coming in for particularly heavy punishment in conceding 39 runs off four overs. Warner took 17 runs off Steyn's second over, including a big six over midwicket, and Finch hit him for two successive sixes in his fourth over. Although Steyn picked up two wickets, he conceded 96 runs in ten overs, his most expensive one-day outing.