Shane Watson smashed his third century in four International Masters League matches as Australia beat South Africa by 137 runs on Friday.
Captain Watson’s 122* off 61 balls (nine fours, nine sixes) took his tally for the tournament to 355 runs at an average of 177.50 and a strike rate of 199.43.
The 43-year-old received good support from Callum Ferguson (85 off 43 balls) and Ben Dunk (34* off 16) as the Aussies posted a mammoth 260-1 in their 20 overs.
WATCH: Jonty brilliance prevents boundary
In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 123 in 17 overs, with Ben Laughlin taking 3-18 in four overs.
Ben Laughlin taking the celebrappeal to great heights in the International Masters League 😂
(kind of mitigated by having to go upstairs to confirm the LBW, but still) pic.twitter.com/qTwbdv5AeY
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) March 8, 2025
Hashim Amla top-scored with 30 off 19 balls, while there were also contributions from Richard Levi (22 off 13), Alviro Petersen (28 off 25) and Jonty Rhodes (16 off 18).
South Africa’s third defeat in four matches leaves them fifth on the six-team log. The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.
Their final match of the league stage is against the West Indies in Raipur on Tuesday.
SA Masters fixtures and results
Lost to Sri Lanka by seven wickets
Lost to India by eight wickets
Beat England seven wickets
Lost to Australia by 137 runs
11 March: vs West Indies, Raipur
13/14 March: Semi-finals
16 March: Final
International Masters League squads:
South Africa: Jacques Kallis (c), Alviro Petersen, Farhaan Behardien, Hashim Amla, Henry Davids, Jacques Rudolph, Jonty Rhodes, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dane Vilas, Morne van Wyk, Eddie Leie, Garnett Kruger, Makhaya Ntini, Thandi Tshabalala.
India squad: Sachin Tendulkar (c), Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni, Vinay Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Sharma, Naman Ojha, Pawan Negi, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Abhimanyu Mithun.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (c), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Ashan Priyanjan, Upul Tharanga, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana, Dhammika Prasad, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Chaturanga de Silva.
West Indies: Brian Lara (c), Chris Gayle, Kirk Edwards, Lendl Simmons, Narsingh Deonarine, Ashley Nurse, Dwayne Smith, Chadwick Walton, Denesh Ramdin, Williams Perkins, Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, Ravi Rampaul, Sulieman Benn, Tino Best.
Australia: Shane Watson (c), Callum Ferguson, Nathan Reardon, Shaun Marsh, Ben Cutting, Dan Christian, Ben Dunk, Peter Nevill, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ben Laughlin, Bryce McGain, James Pattinson, Jason Krejza, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty.
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Darren Maddy, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Tim Bresnan, Phil Mustard, Tim Ambrose, Boyd Rankin, Chris Schofield, Chris Tremlett, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Finn, Stuart Meaker.
Photo: @imlt20official/X
