ODI: Australia beat South Africa by 73 runs in Canberra

Opening batsman Finch was at his destructive best in Canberra, clubbing 109 off 127 deliveries - including three sixes - before man-of-the-match Steve Smith's contribution of 73 from 55 balls helped the hosts to an imposing total of 329-5 from their 50 overs.

South Africa, who drew level on the five-ODI rubber with a three-wicket victory in Perth on Sunday, set about chasing their target in fine fashion, with Hashim Amla (102) leading from the front.

However, Starc's bowling figures of 4-32 from eight overs - supplemented by Josh Hazlewood's 3-51 - helped Australia dismiss the tourists for 256, with their 73-run win putting them 2-1 up with two matches left to play.

The Manuka Oval was treated to a thrilling contest between the world's second and third-ranked ODI teams, and it is to South Africa's credit that they put Australia's record of never having lost a home ODI after setting a target of over 300 in danger.

Finch and David Warner (53) got Darren Lehmann's side off to a flying start, before the latter was dismissed by Vernon Philander (1-70) after the openers shared a 118-run partnership.

Shane Watson added a quickfire 40 before Smith took centre stage with some outrageous shot-making.

He was assisted by stand-in skipper George Bailey (12) and Mitchell Marsh (22), before Morne Morkel (2-84) claimed both their wickets as Australia closed with a seemingly unassailable total of 329.

Amla apparently had other ideas, though, as the South Africa opener played a typically classy knock in posting his 17th ODI century.

Quinton de Kock (47) also looked in the mood, but Hazlewood dismissed him in the 19th over before Marsh accounted for Faf du Plessis (17).

AB de Villiers predictably provided a perfect partner for Amla as the world's top-ranked ODI batsman struck 52 from just 34 balls.

However, Kane Richardson (1-49) made the key breakthrough for Australia, removing De Villiers in the 38th over.

The writing was on the wall when Hazlewood dismissed Amla in the next over, with only Farhaan Behardien and Dale Steyn (both 12) of the South Africa tail posting double figures.

The visitors were then forced to finish on 256-9 in the 45th over as Imran Tahir was unable to bat due to injury, and know only a win in Melbourne on Friday will be enough to keep this most entertaining of series alive heading into Sunday's final clash in Sydney.