Maharaj's Spin Dominates as South Africa Crush Australia in Series Opener

Cairns, Australia (Aug 19, AP) – Keshav Maharaj's exceptional performance as a left-arm spinner led South Africa to a commanding 98-run win over Australia in the opening one-day international of the series on Tuesday. Maharaj achieved a career-best figure of 5-33, leveraging spin-friendly conditions at Cazaly's Stadium to dismiss Australia for 198 with more than nine overs unused, after South Africa had set a challenging target of 296-8 — the highest ever ODI score at this venue.

Despite a valiant 88 runs from captain Mitchell Marsh and a supportive 33 from Ben Dwarshuis, Australia crumbled under Maharaj’s relentless 10-over spell, allowing the Proteas to claim a 1-0 advantage in the three-game series.

Australia's innings began explosively with Travis Head's rapid 27, leading to a promising 60-0 in just seven overs. Head took apart fast bowler Nandre Burger with five boundaries in one over. However, a remarkable collapse followed as South Africa captain Temba Bavuma deftly utilized his spin bowlers during the batting power play, reducing Australia from 60-0 to 89-6, with Maharaj claiming five of those wickets for minimal runs.

Debutant Prenelan Subrayen contributed crucially by dismissing Head, enabling a string of dismissals. Maharaj's precise bowling trapped Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey leg before wicket, while Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, and Aaron Hardie saw their stumps rearranged by Maharaj's turning deliveries.

Though Marsh and Dwarshuis put together a 71-run partnership, it wasn't enough to recover the innings. Lungi Ngidi, with figures of 2-28, and Burger, 2-54, efficiently cleared the tail-end after Maharaj and Subrayen’s vital contributions.

Earlier, South Africa's innings was anchored by half-centuries from Aiden Markram (82), Temba Bavuma (65), and Matthew Breetzke (57). Despite their strong platform, part-time off-spinner Travis Head disrupted their momentum with a 4-57 spell, picking up critical wickets in the final overs.

The innings started positively for South Africa with Ryan Rickelton (33) surviving multiple narrow escapes in a 92-run partnership with Markram. Rickelton's fortune ran out when he was caught at mid-off, marking Head's first breakthrough.

Markram, showing intent for a century, was dismissed with a faint edge off Dwarshuis's bowling, and Bavuma, recently crowned a World Test Championship-winning captain, struggled before eventually accelerating his innings.

Breetzke maintained the rhythm but succumbed to a slog sweep off Adam Zampa, caught by Hardie. Head then captured key wickets, including power-hitter Tristan Stubbs and rookie Dewald Brevis, who struck a bold six off his first ball before getting caught at long-off.

Bavuma attempted a late surge but perished attempting a big shot off Dwarshuis, who ended with 2-53. Wiaan Mulder provided a late spark with a cameo of 31 off 26 balls.

Rabada's Absence a Setback

South Africa faced a significant loss with pacer Kagiso Rabada ruled out for the ODI series due to an ankle injury. Rabada, aged 30, underwent scans revealing inflammation and will remain with the squad in Australia for rehabilitation. In his absence, Kewena Maphaka, the top wicket-taker from the previous T20 series, was drafted into the squad but did not feature in this match.

This contest marked the first ODI between the sides since Australia's win over South Africa in the 2023 World Cup semis, succeeding a 2-1 T20 series victory for Australia. Additionally, their planned Champions Trophy encounter in March was unfortunately canceled due to rain.

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