Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh and paceman Josh Hazlewood showcased their undoubted potential, but it mattered little as South Africa cruised to a three-wicket win in Sunday’s one-day clash at the WACA Ground.
Proteas paceman Morne Morkel snared career-best figures of 5-21 to skittle Australia for 154 in 41.4 overs.
In reply, the Proteas looked shaky at 2-21 and 5-113, but AB de Villiers (48 off 41 balls) kept his composure despite the best efforts of Hazlewood, who snared 5-31 in just his fourth one-dayer.
South Africa reached the victory target with a whopping 134 balls to spare in front of a crowd of 10,939.
The result levelled the series at 1-1 heading into game three in Canberra on Wednesday.
Marsh entered the fray with Australia in deep trouble at 4-34.
The 23-year-old saved his side from total disaster with a mature knock of 67 off 88 balls, but there was little else to cheer about in an Australian batting line-up that wilted in the 30-degree heat.
Morkel was a menace throughout the innings.
The 30-year-old speedster started the rot by snaring David Warner for a duck in the first over of the day.
And by the time he had added Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson to his tally, Australia were 8-129 and no chance of getting close to the 8-300 they posted just two days earlier.
Australia needed quick wickets to have any hope of snaring an upset win, and Shane Watson gave them a perfect start when he took a sharp chance above his head to remove Quinton de Kock for four.
Johnson struck next when he found the edge of Hashim Amla, but the visitors regained their composure and appeared to be on easy street again as they cruised to 3-113 in the 20th over.
Hazlewood snared one wicket during his opening spell, but it was his second spell that wielded the greatest results when he dismissed Faf du Plessis and Farhaan Behardien in consecutive balls.
David Miller blocked out the hat-trick ball, and although Hazlewood was able to snare two more wickets, it wasn’t enough to stop South Africa cruising to victory.
The performance of Marsh and Hazelwood will boost their chances of sealing a spot at next year’s World Cup.
