Off-spinner Keshav Maharaj turned out to be a star as South Africa registered a convincing win over Australia in the first ODI to take a 1-0 lead in a three-match series. The left-arm spinner registered figures
of 5/33 as the Proteas successfully defended a total of 296 runs to defeat Australia by 98 runs at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. Chasing a target, the hosts were bowled out for 198 runs in 40.5 overs.
Coming to bat first after losing the toss, South Africa got a great start as Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram put up an opening partnership of 92 runs in 16.5 overs. Rickelton got out after scoring 33(43) runs while Markram top scored with 82 runs off 81 balls hitting nine boundaries. Apart from that, skipper Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke contributed with 65 runs and 57 runs respectively while Wiaan Mulder remained unbeaten on 31*(26) runs as the Proteas posted 296/8 in their 50 overs. For Australia, Travis Head took four wickets, Ben Dwarshuis took two while Adam Zampa put one in his bag.
Keshav Maharaj’s 5/33 figures guide Australia to 1-0 series lead
Chasing the winning target, Australia got a flying start as Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh added 60 runs for the first wicket in 7.1 overs. Head got out after scoring 27(24) runs while Marsh played a captain’s knock of 88 runs off 96 balls hitting 10 boundaries. However, after the partnership was broken, Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals with Keshav Maharaj destroying their middle-order.
The left-arm spinner ended with the figures of 5/33 in his spell of 10 overs as Australia were bowled out for 198 runs in 40.5 overs. Along with Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger took two wickets each while Prenelan Subrayen put one in his bag.
