South Africa claim 98-run win over Australia in 1st ODI
What's the story
After going down in the T20I series, South Africa beat Australia in the 1st ODI at Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns. The Proteas successfully defended 296 after restricting the hosts to 198. Mitchell Marsh slammed a brilliant 88 as Australia were down to 89/6. While spinner Keshav Maharaj took a match-winning five-wicket haul for SA, Travis Head earlier scalped four wickets. Here are the key stats.
SA innings
South Africa rack up 296/8
SA saw a dominating 93-run opening stand between Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram, with Australia electing to field. While Rickelton departed, Markram, Temba Bavuma, and Matthew Breetzke bolstered the Proteas with half-centuries. However, Head's middle-over spell brought SA down from 223/2 to 230/5. Wiaan Mulder slammed a handy 31* (26), powering the Proteas to 296/8 in 50 overs. Ben Dwarshuis also took two wickets.
Australia
Australia falter despite Marsh's rescuing knock
Australia also started well with a powerful 60-run opening stand between Marsh and Head. While Prenelan Subrayen broke the partnership, dismissing Head, Maharaj alone reduced the Aussies to 89/6. However, Marsh and Ben Dwarshuis evaded an early collapse and propelled Australia to 160. Nandre Burger came back to dismiss Ben Dwarshuis, while Marsh fell short of his ton. Australia eventually perished for 198.
Markram
Third ODI fifty for Markram against Australia
An 82-run knock from Markram laid the foundation for SA's substantial total. He consumed just 81 balls, scoring 9 boundaries. Markram raced to his third half-century against Australia in ODI cricket. The Proteas opener also owns a ton against Australia. Overall, Markram completed his 13th ODI half-century. In 78 ODIs, the right-handed batter owns 2,453 runs at 37.73. His tally also includes three tons.
Bavuma
Successive fifties for Bavuma
After Markram's dismissal, skipper Bavuma added a 92-run partnership with Matthew Breetzke. Although SA suffered a middle-order collapse, Bavuma took them past 260. He was dismissed by Ben Dwarshuis for a 74-ball 65 (5 fours). Bavuma now has a half-century in his last four ODIs. In 49 ODIs, Bavuma owns 1,912 runs at 44.46. The tally includes 5 tons and 8 half-centuries.
Breetzke
Breetzke joins these names
Matthew Breetzke continues his staggering run in ODIs, having slammed a 56-ball 57 (7 fours and 1 six). Breetzke, playing his third ODI, has a 50-plus score in each of his three innings. As per Cricbuzz, Breetzke has become the fourth player with a 50-plus score in each of their first three ODI inngs, joining Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tom Cooper, and Max O'Dowd.
Maharaj
Maiden ODI fifer for Maharaj
Maharaj was the pick of SA's bolwers, taking 5/33 in 10 overs (1 maiden). He recorded his maiden ODI fifer. The Proteas off-spinner struck on his match's first delivery, dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (1). Apart from Labuschagne, Maharaj dismissed Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, and Aaron Hardie. In 49 ODIs, Maharaj has accounted for 63 wickets at an average of 30.46.
Records
Maharaj bags these records
As per Cricbuzz, Maharaj became the fourth finger-spinner with an ODI fifer in Australia. He joined the likes of Ravi Shastri (1991), Saqlain Mushtaq (1996), and Jimmy Adams (1996). Overall, Maharaj is the fourth spinner with a fifer for South Africa in ODIs. He shares this record with Imran Tahir (3), Nicky Boje (1), and Tabraiz Shamsi (1).
Marsh
Marsh slams fine 88
Chasing 297, an untimely collapse brought Australia down from 60/0 to 89/6. Skipper Marsh ended up being the lone warrior for the hosts. Marsh scored a fine 88 off 96 balls (10 fours) before falling to Nandre Burger in the 37th over. He showed character on a tricky surface. With the required rate reaching nine, Marsh departed in an attempt to slog.
Information
Marsh slams his 20th ODI fifty
Marsh raced to his 20th ODI half-century. In 94 ODIs, the right-handed dasher has raced to 2,882 runs at an average of 36.48. His tally also includes 3 tons.
Head
Head shines with ball
Earlier, Travis Head's middle-over spell dented SA, who were cruising at 223/2. The Australian all-rounder dismissed Brevis and Subbs in an over besides removing Rickelton and Maharaj. He finished with 4/57 in 9 overs. Head has been phenomenal with the ball against SA, taking nine wickets in 14 ODIs. His last three figures against SA read 4/57, 2/21, and 2/39.
Numbers
Other notable numbers from the match
South Africa, who won by 98 runs, recorded their biggest victory against Australia in ODIs Down Under. As many as 11 wickets fell to spin, the joint-most in an ODI in Australia, according to Cricbuzz. The 1997 Australia-Pakistan Sydney match also saw 11 such wickets. Markram recorded the first 50-plus score by a visiting batter in six ODIs in Cairns.