After the epic encounter in Johannesburg in 2006 where South Africa chased down Australia's 434, the two teams were again involved in a high-scoring encounter in Durban on Thursday. Yet again, the Proteas managed to chase down a massive total as David Miller's chance-less unbeaten hundred (118 not out from 79) helped South Africa to an extraordinary win, chasing down a target of 372 set by Australia by 4 wickets and as many balls to spare in the third One-Day International in Durban. With the win, South Africa took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

Australia were prolific with the bat and even bowlers as good as Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada were handed a spanking – conceding 182 runs combined from 20 overs between them – as David Warner (117) and Steve Smith (108) set the platform for a huge total. Travis Head's late cameo (35 from 18) took his side to 371/6. In reply, South Africa were always on track with the run-rate but it was Miller's thrilling partnership with Andile Phehlukwayo (42 not out from 39), which accounted for 107 runs, that humbled the Aussies, who came second best under pressure.

Quinton de Kock (70 from 49) was yet again a thorn in Australia's flesh as he sent the signal to his teammates that a chase was well and truly on. It was the returning Hashim Amla (45 from 30) who set the tone though, smashing a flurry of boundaries to keep the asking rate in check.

De Kock freed his arms after Amla's departure but the middle-order's contribution was strictly limited to cameos as Australia got regular breakthroughs. With five batsmen down by the 32nd over, Miller was left with the lower middle-order to chase the humongous total down.

Phehlukwayo initially struggled to rotate the strike and was chewing up deliveries, nerves getting the better of him. Miller was operating in a different octane and found gaps with needle-like precision. Anything pitched slightly short or full of a length was clubbed into the stands by the big-hitting left-hander. Almost getting a boundary of every over, Miller kept the chase alive and got his third ODI hundred with a boundary.

Australia's inexperienced attack wilted in the final overs; even the reliable John Hastings went for plenty, and clearly came second during his battle against Miller. Rookie Phehlukwayo gained in confidence towards the final overs. He smashed a couple of big hits in the 48th and 49th overs to firmly tip the scales in his side's favour, and knocked off the winning runs to send the crowd and his teammates in a tizzy. The game though, was about Miller establishing himself as one of the finest finishers in the game.

Brief Scores:

Australia 371/6 in 50 overs (David Warner 117, Steve Smith 108; Imran Tahir 2/54) lost to South Africa 372/6 in 49.2 overs (David Miller 118 not out, Quinton de Kock 70; John Hastings 2/79) by 4 wickets.