Aaron Finch ton powers Australia to 73-run win over South Africa in 3rd ODI

Australia's Aaron Finch hit his fifth one-day international century, to drive the hosts to a 73-run victory over South Africa, in Canberra on Wednesday, and helped them gain a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Finch put on 118 for the first wicket with David Warner (53), and went on to score 109 on a good Manuka Oval wicket, before being bowled by Proteas skipper AB de Villiers.

Shane Watson hit a bright 40 but it fell to Steve Smith to haul Australia out of a mid-innings slump, with a sparkling unbeaten 73 from 55 balls, that gave Australia an imposing total of 329 for five.

South Africa are rarely daunted by any target, and openers Hashim Amla (102) and Quinton de Kock (47) started at a brisk pace.

Their opening stand ended with 108 on the board, when De Kock got a top edge to a Josh Hazlewood delivery, that was caught by Mitch Marsh. Amla dug in later, despite wickets falling at the other end, to reach his 17th ODI century.

De Villiers joined him soon and their partnership looked like it might give the tourists a series lead, going into the final two matches, in Melbourne and Sydney.

The match turned, however, when they were dismissed in successive overs. Amla was clean-bowled by Hazlewood (3-51) and De Villiers was trapped leg before by Kane Richardson for 52.

Australian left-arm paceman Mitch Starc took four for 32, in mopping up the South African tail, which was shortened with the tourists on 256-9, as spinner Imran Tahir failed to bat after picking up a knock in the field.