Watch: Marco Jansen and Nathan Ellis in heated exchange during SA vs AUS 1st ODI
Marco Jansen struck a fiery 75 off 59 balls and clashed with Nathan Ellis during a tense finish in the first ODI between South Africa and Australia.

Marco Jansen and Nathan Ellis engaged in a heated on the pitch confrontation during the closing overs of the first one day international between South Africa and Australia. Playing his first ODI of the year, Jansen produced a blistering knock of 75 off 59 balls to rescue the Proteas from deep trouble and turn the momentum of the contest.
South Africa were in serious trouble at 168/5 before Jansen joined Matthew Breetzke in the middle. The pair mounted a counter offensive, adding 107 runs off 81 balls for the sixth wicket to push South Africa beyond the 270 mark. The high intensity battle boiled over in the penultimate over when Ellis dismissed Jansen, sparking a tense exchange between the two players.
Marco Jansen and Nathan Ellis clash on the field amid Breetzke-Jansen's 107-run stand
The tension between Jansen and Ellis had been building across the final five overs of the innings. Jansen took on the Australian pace attack with aggressive strokeplay, clearing the ropes four times and finding the boundary on seven occasions. Nathan Ellis attempted to curb the scoring with a mix of yorkers and slower deliveries, but Jansen repeatedly found gaps on the leg side.
Watch the heated argument between Ellis and Jansen here-
The flashpoint arrived in the 49th over. After being taken for consecutive boundaries earlier in the spell, Ellis delivered a well directed slower ball that Jansen mistimed into the deep. As the catch was completed, Ellis celebrated enthusiastically in the direction of the batter, prompting Jansen to stop and exchange sharp words before the umpires stepped in to separate the two competitors.
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South Africa had lost top order wickets in rapid succession against disciplined Australian bowling, slumping to 168/5 and staring at a below par total. Breetzke held the top half together with composure, reaching a memorable century under pressure.
Jansen took pressure off his partner by scoring quickly from ball one. Their 107-run stand altered the trajectory of the innings completely before Breetzke suffered an unfortunate run-out in the 48th over right after reaching three figures.
Australia’s aggressive start after South Africa's Breetzke-Jansen fireworks
Jansen has repeatedly established his worth as a dangerous lower order batter for South Africa in 50-over cricket. This innings marked his third half century in ODIs reinforcing his capability to clear boundaries against high quality pace bowling at the death.
Across 33 ODIs and 28 innings, the left handed all rounder has scored 628 runs at an average of 27.30 and a brisk strike rate of 113.97. All of his List-A half centuries have come at the international level, proving his aptitude for big match situations.
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The verbal duel between Jansen and Ellis set an aggressive tone for the remaining fixtures in the bilateral series. With both players known for competitive instincts, the battle with bat and ball is set to remain central throughout the tour.
South Africa will take heart from the resilience of their lower order, while Australia will look to tighten their death bowling execution after conceding heavy runs in the final ten overs.
Brief Scores: Australia 146/3 (Mitchell Marsh 60, Bjorn Fortuin 1/12) vs South Africa 297/8 (Matthew Breetzke 112, Marco Jansen 75, Nathan Ellis 3/57)
Frequently Asked Questions
Marco Jansen scored 75 runs off 59 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes.
Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis dismissed Marco Jansen in the 49th over.
Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen shared a 107-run stand off 81 deliveries for the sixth wicket.








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