Keshav Maharaj's fifer guides Proteas for dominant win against Australia in ODI series opener

South Africa thrashed hosts Australia in the ODI series opener on Tuesday (August 19) at Cairns, claiming a record-breaking ODI win against the hosts Australia. Keshav Maharaj recorded his maiden ODI fifer, which helped the Proteas dominate the game.

After the Australian captain Mitchell Marsh chose to field first, South Africa got a strong start that helped the Proteas score 296/8 in 50 overs. In reply, Australia had a powerful start, but they were bundled out for only 198 runs. South Africa won the match by 98 runs, which was their largest ODI win (by runs) against the hosts Australia. Their previous record was winning by 82 runs in the 1994 WACA ODI. 

South Africa recorded 3 half-centuries

South African openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton had a 92-run partnership for the first wicket. After Rickelton was dismissed for 33 runs, Markram continued his strong innings and scored 82 off 81 balls with nine fours. 

For the third wicket, captain Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke had another 92-run partnership. After Breetzke was out for 57 off 56 balls with seven fours and one six, the visitors lost two more wickets quickly. ODI debutant Dewald Brevis smashed six on the first ball and was caught out on the next ball. 

Captain Bavuma scored 65 runs from 74 balls with five fours. In the late innings, Wiaan Mulder scored a crucial 31 not out off 26 balls with two fours and one six.

Australian spinner Travis Head bagged four wickets in the first innings (4/57). Ben Dwarshuis (2/53) and Adam Zampa (1/58) were the other Aussie bowlers to pick up at least one wicket in that innings. 

See Also: Central Contracts 2025-26: PCB demotes Babar Azam and Rizwan in shocking move

Keshav Maharaj spoiled Aussie party

In reply, Aussie openers Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh provided a powerful start with a 60-run partnership in the first seven overs. However, once the spinners were introduced early in that innings, the visitors started to dominate.

ODI debutant Prenelan Subrayen brought the first blow, as Head was stumped out for 27 off 24 balls with four fours. Then, Keshav Maharaj took the next five wickets, as the hosts were suddenly struggling at 89/6. 

Captain Mitchell Marsh continued his fighting knock with Ben Dwarshuis, who was dropped once by Maharaj. They had a fighting 71-run partnership for the seventh wicket, but it wasn’t enough for the hosts. While Dwarshuis scored 33 off 52 balls with three fours, Marsh scored 88 off 96 balls with 10 fours. 

Maharaj, who recorded his first ODI fifer, had the bowling figures of 10-1-33-5. Also, Nandre Burger (2/54) and Lungi Ngidi (2/28) got two wickets each.