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Maharaj’s Fifer Too Hot To Handle For Australia As SA Survive Marsh Blitz To Go 1-0 Up

Aakash Saini

Keshav Maharaj celebrating a wicket in AUS vs SA 1st ODI [Source: @cricketcomau/x]Keshav Maharaj celebrating a wicket in AUS vs SA 1st ODI [Source: @cricketcomau/x]

South Africa decimated Australia in the series-opening first ODI to take a 1-0 lead. South Africa’s bowling attack, helmed by ace spinner Keshab Maharaj in the evening, folded up Australia within 98 runs of their target. 

Here, we take a look at the entire highlights of the first ODI of the three-match series, as it panned out at the Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday, August 19.

Head Steps In For AUS But Markram, Bavuma 50s Take SA To 296

South Africa batted first and mounted 296-8 in 50 overs, with opener Aiden Markram marking the headline act of the innings with his near run-a-ball 82. Captain Temba Bavuma (65 off 74) and number four Matthew Breetzke (57 off 56) also charted majestic half-centuries after the dismissal of Ryan Rickelton for 33. Wiaan Mulder provided the slog-overs impetus with his fiery 31* off 26 balls.

For Australia, comeback man Josh Hazlewood failed to pick up a wicket, prompting part-time spinner Travis Head to shoulder the responsibility with the ball. Head picked up four important wickets, including that of ODI debutant Dewald Brevis to claim figures of 4-57. Ben Dwarshuis also chipped in with the wickets of half-centurions Markram and Bavuma in his otherwise expensive spell.

Keshav Maharaj Blows Away AUS Despite Marsh’s 88

Australia’s response got off to a flier with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh taking them to 60-0 in seven overs. Prenelan Subrayen, making his ODI debut for South Africa, struck the opening blow for the visitors with the prized scalp of Head. His senior spin partner Keshav Maharaj made full use of South Africa’s newfound momentum by cutting through the entirety of Australian middle-order.

Maharaj (5-33) picked up five wickets in quick succession as Australia slipped from 61-1 to 89-6 in the space of just eight overs. Captain Marsh hung around with the tail, smearing 88 runs off 96 balls with 10 boundaries. His fate was eventually sealed by Nandre Burger before Lungi Ngidi (2-28) mopped up the Australian tail at 198 in 40.5 overs as South Africa won the match by 98 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.