South Africa began their home season in style, defeating ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup champions Australia by 67 runs in the first ODI at Kingsmead, Durban, on Thursday.
Batting first after Australia won the toss, South Africa posted 297/8. Matthew Breetzke anchored the innings with a superb 112, his second ODI century, while Marco Jansen provided late acceleration with a blazing 75 off 59 balls. Nathan Ellis was Australia’s most successful bowler with 3/57.
Australia’s chase began strongly as Mitchell Marsh smashed 60 off just 36 deliveries, but Keshav Maharaj dismissed the Australian captain for the key breakthrough. Maharaj then dominated the middle overs, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/20. Bjorn Fortuin claimed 2/34 as Australia collapsed to 230 all out in 31.2 overs. Matt Renshaw top-scored for Australia with 44, while Cooper Connolly made 38 and Travis Head scored 36. However, South Africa’s spinners kept taking wickets at regular intervals to seal a convincing victory.
The win gives South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Brief Scores
South Africa 297/8 in 50 overs (Matthew Breetzke 112, Marco Jansen 75, Temba Bavuma 30; Nathan Ellis 3-57, Adam Zampa 2-50)
Australia 230 all out in 31.2 overs (Mitchell Marsh 60, Matt Renshaw 44, Cooper Connolly 38, Travis Head 36; Keshav Maharaj 4-20, Corbin Bosch 2-67. Bjorn Fortuin 2-34)