South Africa defeated Australia by 98 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series at Cairns. Thanks to superb innings from Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, and Mathew Breetzke, South Africa posted a total of 296/8 in 50 overs. In reply, Australia was bowled out for 198 in 40.5 overs.
Keshav Maharaj's career-best bowling performance helped South Africa dominate Australia in the first ODI. The left-arm spinner claimed his first ODI five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 33, as South Africa successfully defended 296. His efforts resulted in Australia’s heaviest home defeat by runs since 1991.
South Africa build a strong total
South Africa posted 296 after a solid batting effort. Aiden Markram and Rickelton added 92 for the first wicket, though runs came slowly at the start. Markram looked fluent, reaching his 13th ODI fifty and later 82, before edging behind. Rickelton survived several close calls before falling for 43.
Temba Bavuma, batting at No.3, scored a composed half-century but was bowled after an inside edge. Matthew Breetzke impressed with an attacking 58, hitting the innings’ first six and back-to-back boundaries off Labuschagne. However, both he and Stubbs failed to capitalize in the final overs.
South Africa lost regular wickets late, but Wiaan Mulder’s quick 31 from 26 balls ensured a strong finish. They added 73 runs in the last 10 overs, though they also lost five wickets.
Spin turns the game in South Africa’s favor
Australia started strongly, racing to 60 in the first seven overs through Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head. Head smashed Nandre Burger for five boundaries in one over, giving the hosts early momentum. However, once spin was introduced, everything changed.
Prenelan Subrayen, on ODI debut, dismissed Head with a smart stumping by Ryan Rickelton. Maharaj then made an immediate impact, trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw with his first delivery. His second over produced a beauty that knocked over Cameron Green’s stumps. Soon after, he bowled Josh Inglis and had Alex Carey lbw first ball, putting him on a hat-trick. Aaron Hardie became his final victim, bowled in similar fashion to Green.
At one stage, Maharaj had astonishing figures of 5 for 9. Though he dropped a catch later, his spell had already broken Australia’s batting backbone.
Marsh’s lone fight in vain
Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh was the only batter to offer real resistance. He scored 88 runs and shared a 71-run stand with Ben Dwarshuis, which gave the innings some hope. Marsh struck a 51-ball half-century and looked threatening, but Burger dismissed him with a top-edged pull. After that, Australia folded quickly, with Lungi Ngidi wrapping up the innings in the 41st over.
A spinner-friendly surface in Cairns
With the pitch offering turn and bounce, spinners played a big role for both sides. South Africa’s pair of Maharaj and Subrayen dominated the middle overs, while Australia relied heavily on Travis Head’s part-time spin, which earned him 4 for 57 in nine overs.
This was only the sixth ODI at Cairns, and judging the par score was difficult. South Africa’s 296 proved more than enough, underlining the value of their three half-centuries and Maharaj’s decisive spell.