Captain Mitch Marsh played a heroic, solitary innings of 88, but it was ultimately in vain as a Keshav Maharaj-inspired South Africa stormed to a 98-run win in the first ODI in Cairns. The Proteas spinner’s career-best 5-33 caused a catastrophic middle-order collapse from which Australia could not recover.
Set a challenging 297 to win, Australia’s chase began brightly. However, the introduction of spin changed the complexion of the game entirely. After Prenelan Subrayen claimed the first wicket, Maharaj scythed through the batting order. The hosts crumbled from a comfortable 0-60 to a perilous 6-89, with none of the middle-order batters managing to score more than ten runs.
Earlier, the South African batsmen had set up the game beautifully. Aiden Markram continued his fine form with a composed 82, sharing a 92-run opening partnership with Ryan Rickelton. Temba Bavuma, in his first match back, contributed a crucial 65, anchoring the innings through the middle overs before a late cameo from Wiaan Mulder pushed the total to a formidable 8-296.
While Travis Head impressed with the ball for Australia, taking 4-57, his efforts were overshadowed by the batting failure. Marsh’s dismissal for 88 ended any faint hopes of an Australian comeback, as they were eventually all out for 198, handing South Africa a 1-0 series lead.