South Africa secured a commanding 67-run victory over Australia in the first ODI at Kingsmead, Durban, on Thursday. After posting a competitive total of 297 for 8, the home side dismantled the Australian batting lineup, bowling them out for 230 in 41.2 overs.
The innings began poorly for South Africa after they were invited to bat first. Josh Hazlewood removed Tony de Zorzi for a duck, and with the quick dismissal of Quinton de Kock, the hosts slumped to 29 for 2 within the powerplay. Matthew Breetzke anchored the recovery, sharing vital partnerships with Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickleton, and David Miller to reach 168 for 5 by the 34th over.
Breetzke eventually reached a well-deserved century, finding a powerful ally in Marco Jansen. The duo ignited a late-innings surge, with Jansen hammering a 59-ball 75. His aggression against Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc, followed by a late assault on Nathan Ellis, pushed South Africa to a final total of 297 for 8. Nathan Ellis led the Australian attack with 3 for 57, while Adam Zampa claimed 2 for 50.
Australia’s chase started explosively, led by Mitchell Marsh. He dominated the powerplay, smashing five sixes in a 35-ball 60 to help the visitors reach 89 runs by the ninth over. Travis Head contributed a rapid 26 off 19 balls, but the momentum shifted when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Marsh in the final over of the powerplay. Despite a brief resistance from Cooper Connolly, Australia struggled after Head was caught by David Miller off Marco Jansen in the 17th over.
The middle order crumbled as Bjorn Fortuin dismissed Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly. Keshav Maharaj then tore through the lineup, claiming 4 for 20 and removing both Cameron Green and Jack Edwards to leave Australia reeling at 189 for 6. Matt Renshaw attempted to fight back with 44 runs, but his innings ended when Marco Jansen pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at deep mid-wicket. With the lower order falling quickly, the visitors were dismissed in the 42nd over, handing South Africa a 1-0 series advantage. The report also notes that at Kingsmead in Durban, on Thursday, keshav Maharaj’s stunning spell of 4 for 20 to back up Matthew Breetzke’s 112 helped South Africa secure a comfortable 67-run win over Australia in the first ODI. The report also notes that chasing 298 for victory, Australia had made a strong start, with Mitchell Marsh blazing away in the powerplay, including tonking Marco Jansen for three sixes. The report also notes that with Marsh’s explosive batting dwarfing and otherwise quick start by Travis Head who had moved to 26 off only 19 balls, the openers had piled on 89 runs by then. The report also notes that he cracked a couple of quick boundaries and even hit Jansen over the deep mid wicket boundary as the second wicket pair added a brisk 40 off only seven overs. The report also notes that but, despite being taken apart for 46 runs in his first five overs, Jansen had the last laugh. The report also notes that head was tricked by a cross-seam delivery and mistimed it to David Miller and fell early in the 17th over.
