LIVESCORES MATCH REPORT
South Africa vs Australia: Proteas take 1-0 lead into Pink Day second ODI
South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in Durban, with Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj central to a win that leaves the Proteas one victory from sealing the three-match ODI series.
South Africa take a 1-0 lead into the second ODI against Australia after a 67-run win in Durban on Thursday, a result built on Matthew Breetzke's hundred, Marco Jansen's late acceleration and a decisive spell from Keshav Maharaj.
The Proteas posted 297/8 from their 50 overs after Australia chose to field at Kingsmead. South Africa were 29/2 early and later slipped to 168/5, but Breetzke held the innings together with 112 from 106 balls. Jansen then changed the pace of the innings with 75 from 59 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. Their stand took South Africa from 168/5 to 275/6 and gave the bowlers a total that proved more than enough.
Australia's chase unravelled after a fast start
Australia initially made the target look manageable. Captain Mitchell Marsh scored 60 from 36 balls and helped his side reach 90 before the first wicket fell. Travis Head added 36, but the chase changed sharply once South Africa began taking wickets through the middle overs.
Maharaj was the central figure. The left-arm spinner finished with 4/20 from 9.2 overs, including two maidens, while Bjorn Fortuin took 2/34. Corbin Bosch also claimed two wickets as Australia were bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs. From 129/1, Australia lost wickets regularly and never rebuilt the chase strongly enough to threaten the target.
The 67-run margin gives South Africa an early advantage in the three-match ODI series, but the opening game also showed how quickly the contest can move. Australia scored at a rapid rate with the new ball, while South Africa's middle and lower order had to repair an innings that had twice threatened to stall.
What changes for the second ODI?
The next match is at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, 27 September, with Cricket South Africa listing a 10:00 SAST start. It is also the series' Pink Day fixture, an established event used to support breast-cancer awareness.
South Africa should also have another selection option available. When announcing the ODI squad, Cricket South Africa said Aiden Markram would be available for the second and third matches of the series. That gives the hosts a decision to make after a winning first XI produced both a competitive total and a complete bowling performance.
For Australia, the immediate task is clearer. The visitors reached 129/1 before the innings lost shape, so the issue was not getting into the chase but sustaining it once South Africa's spinners and change bowlers found control. Australia still have two matches to respond, with the final ODI scheduled for Wednesday, 30 September in Potchefstroom.
What it means
South Africa are one win away from securing the three-match series. The first ODI also gives the Proteas useful evidence that they can defend a total even after conceding a fast start, with Maharaj and Fortuin combining for six wickets. Australia, meanwhile, head to Johannesburg needing a win to keep the series alive. For South African supporters following the strong interest around the fixture, Sunday's Pink Day match now carries a simple series consequence: a Proteas victory would settle the ODI contest with one game remaining.