Keshav Maharaj, left, of South Africa is congratulated by teammates after getting the wicket of Cameron Green of Australia through the sooner or later worldwide between Australia and South Africa at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns, Australia,Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP
Maharaj made full use of spin-friendly situations to assist dismiss Australia for 198 with greater than 9 overs to spare after South Africa had earlier posted 296-8 — the very best ODI complete at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns.
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh made 88 off 96 balls and Ben Dwarshuis scored 33, however Maharaj had achieved sufficient harm in his unchanged spell of 10 overs to present the Proteas a 1-0 lead within the three-match collection.
Travis Head (27) gave Australia an explosive begin of 60-0 within the first seven overs when the left-hander smashed quick bowler Nandre Burger for 5 boundaries in a single over.
But in a dramatic turnaround, the house workforce misplaced six wickets — 5 to Maharaj — for the addition of solely 29 runs as Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma turned to his gradual bowlers contained in the batting energy play. Australia went from 60-0 to 89-6.
Debutant off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen (1-46) had Head stumped off his seventh ball in ODIs earlier than Maharaj eliminated 5 batters for single digits.
Maharaj had Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey trapped leg earlier than wicket whereas Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Aaron Hardie have been clear bowled off deliveries that spun sufficient to beat the bat.
Marsh and Dwarshuis resisted with a 71-run stand however Lungi Ngidi (2-28) and Burger (2-54) wrapped up the tail rapidly after Maharaj and Subrayen’s impeccable spells.
After shedding the toss, three half centuries from the highest 4 batters powered South Africa on a wicket the place spinners dominated with part-time offspinner Head claiming 4-57, his second four-wicket haul in ODIs.
Aiden Markram (82), Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57) all scored 50-plus earlier than Australia got here again strongly within the demise overs with Head claiming three of his 4 wickets within the final 10 overs.
Ryan Rickelton (33) survived a variety of shut calls, together with a dropped catch by wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, as he placed on a 92-run opening wicket stand with Markram. Rickelton’s luck ended when he holed out to Labuschagne at mid off that gave Head his first wicket.
Markram regarded set for his first century within the final 20 ODIs, however the right-hander performed a free drive in opposition to Dwarshuis and was caught behind within the twenty fourth over.
Bavuma, taking part in his first worldwide since main South Africa to victory within the World Test Championship last, struggled to get going however Breetzke discovered boundaries in opposition to Australia’s third spinner Labuschagne.
Breetzke raised his run-a-ball half century however simply when it regarded like South Africa would end off nicely he top-edged a slog sweep in opposition to Adam Zampa to Hardie at deep sq. leg.
Head then acquired the massive wickets of power-hitter Tristan Stubbs and debutant Dewald Brevis within the house of three balls. Brevis smashed the spinner for a first-ball six in his ODI profession earlier than perishing off the following ball when he couldn’t clear Carey at lengthy off.
Bavuma tried to choose up the tempo however acquired an inside edge when he tried to elevate Dwarshuis because the quick bowler ended up with 2-53.
Wiaan Mulder performed a little bit cameo of 31 off 26 balls.
Rabada dominated out============Pace bowler Kagiso Rabada was dominated out of the ODI collection with an ankle harm in a serious setback for South Africa.
The 30-year-old Rabada underwent scans on Monday which confirmed irritation in his proper ankle. Rabada will stick with the workforce in Australia and endure rehabilitation.
Kewena Maphaka, who completed because the main wicket-taker in final week’s T20 collection, changed Rabada within the squad however was ignored of the taking part in XI for the primary ODI.
The Australians have been coming off a 2-1 win within the T20 collection.
It was the primary ODI between the groups since Australia beat South Africa within the 2023 World Cup semifinals. Their scheduled Champions Trophy assembly in March was washed out.
Published – August 19, 2025 11:05 am IST
