New Delhi: South Africa produced a clinical performance to demolish Australia in the ODI series opener in Cairns on Tuesday. The Proteas dominated the contest with both bat and ball to hand the home side a 98-run hammering in the first match of the three-ODI series. The Temba Bavuma-led side was miles better than the Aussies in all three departments and started the 50-over leg of the white-ball series in the best possible fashion after a 1-2 loss in the T20Is.
Invited to bat, the Proteas produced a strong batting display with three batters posting half-centuries to take the team’s total to a formidable 296 for 8 in the stipulated 50 overs. Three of the top five batters, including Aiden Markram (82), Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (55), crossed the 50-run mark while Ryan Rickleton scored 33 off 43 and stitched a 92-run opening stand with Markram to set a perfect platform for the visitors.
And despite twin failures of Tristan Stubbs (0) and the star of the T20I series, Dewald Brevis (6) in the middle order, Wiaan Mulder’s 26-ball 31 ensured a strong finish for the Proteas.
Travis Head emerged as an unlikely bowling hero for the Australians with a four-wicket haul. Ben Dwarshuis chipped in with two wickets, but none of the other frontline bowlers managed to make an impact.
Maharaj demolishes Aussie batting line-up with devastating spell
In reply, Australia got off to a decent start owing to a 60-run opening stand between Head and Mitchell Marsh, but the former’s wicket in the eighth over triggered a dramatic collapse as the home side lost their next five wickets for 29 runs.
Marsh, waging a lone battle at one end, found support from Dwarshuis, who combined with his skipper to add 71 runs for the eighth wicket. But one followed the other as both returned to pavillion in the space of four overs to effectively end Australia’s faint hopes.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj spun a web around the Aussie batters, finishing with sensational figures of 10-1-33-5. He was deservingly adjudged Player of the Match for his maiden five-wicket haul, which, in the end, proved to be a match-winning spell.
Proteas’ new-ball opening pair of Nandre Berger and Lungi Ngidi picked up two wickets each to provide able support to the spinner.
The action moves to Mackay for the second ODI on Friday, August 22.