Maharaj takes five wickets in his first ODI, helping South Africa lead the series 1-0

Maharaj takes five wickets in his first ODI, helping South Africa lead the series 1-0

Keshav Maharaj's career-best 5-33 propelled South Africa to a 98-run victory over Australia in the first ODI at Cairns.

Keshav Maharaj took his first-ever five-wicket haul in ODIs as South Africa beat Australia by 98 runs in the first match of the series in Cairns. Defending a strong total of 296 the highest ever at this venue South Africa’s bowlers dominated, especially between overs 8 and 17, when they took 6 wickets for just 29 runs. Maharaj led the charge with 5 for 33, using spin and accuracy to tear through Australia’s middle order. This was Australia’s biggest home defeat by runs since 1991.

Maharaj wasn’t picked for the T20Is, but reminded everyone of his value in limited-overs cricket. The pitch helped spinners, and debutant Prenelan Subrayen also impressed with 1 for 46. Australia used part-time spinner Travis Head, who surprisingly took 4 wickets in his 9 overs.

South Africa’s total looked even better as the pitch played slowly and was tricky. Half-centuries from Aiden Markram (82), Matthew Breetzke (57), and Temba Bavuma (65) gave the team a solid base.

Australia started their chase well, with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head scoring 60 runs in the first 7 overs. Head smashed five boundaries in one over off Nandre Burger. But once spin was introduced, things fell apart. Head was stumped off Subrayen, and Maharaj struck immediately, trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw. He then bowled Cameron Green with a beauty, followed by wickets of Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, and Aaron Hardie. At one point, Maharaj had 5 wickets for just 9 runs.

Australia’s only fight came from Marsh, who scored 88 and shared a 71-run stand with Ben Dwarshuis (33). But once Burger returned and dismissed both, the innings collapsed. Lungi Ngidi wrapped things up with two wickets in the 41st over.

Earlier, South Africa’s innings began cautiously. Markram and Ryan Rickelton added 92 runs for the first wicket. Rickelton had a tough time surviving multiple chances before getting out for 33. Markram looked solid and reached his 13th ODI fifty, but missed out on a century.

Bavuma, batting at No.3 for the first time since the World Test Championship final, played a steady knock. Breetzke added energy with aggressive shots, including a six and back-to-back fours, but got out before the final push.

Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis couldn’t finish strong, both getting caught at long-on. Bavuma also got out after reaching his fourth straight fifty. Wiaan Mulder then chipped in with a quick 31 off 26 balls, helping South Africa score 73 runs in the last 10 overs, though they lost five wickets during that phase.