Australia In A Spin As Maharaj Bowls South Africa To Opening Odi Win

A career-best haul from seasoned spinner Keshav Maharaj has inspired South Africa to a crushing 98-run triumph complete Australia successful nan first ODI successful Cairns.

With Australia cruising astatine 0-60 chasing nan Proteas’ 8-296, Maharaj wreaked havoc during a stunning spell arsenic nan hosts mislaid 6-29 successful 55 balls astatine Cazaly’s Stadium.

The 35-year-old bowled his 10 overs unchanged – astatine 1 shape having 5-9 – to decorativeness pinch 5-33. It was nan first five-wicket haul of his ODI profession and was aptly named subordinate of nan match.

Maharaj’s efforts were nan fourth-best ODI numbers by a South African bowler successful Australia.

Prenelan Subrayen, a debutant right-arm offspinner, started Australia’s illness by having nan vulnerable Travis Head stumped for 27.

Mitchell Marsh of Australia reacts aft being dismissed for 88. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Mitch Marsh, skipper successful spot of Pat Cummins, played a lone manus from nan apical arsenic nary of Australia’s middle-order reached double figures.

But erstwhile he fell for 88 to Nandre Burger (2-54), it was only a matter of clip earlier nan Proteas secured triumph and bowled Australia retired for 198 successful nan 41st over.

Spin, unexpectedly, dominated successful Cairns, aft Travis Head’s part-timers besides proved difficult to handle.

Australia’s fierce opening batter took 4-57, claiming opener Ryan Rickelton (33), arsenic good arsenic Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising prima Dewald Brevis (6) wrong 3 balls.

The Proteas request nary reminder of Head’s bowling capabilities aft he took 2 important wickets successful Australia’s thrilling World Cup semi-final triumph successful 2023.

Rickelton made a productive commencement pinch World Test Championship last leader Aiden Markram, nan brace putting connected 92 for nan opening wicket.

Lungi Ngidi bowls Adam Zampa to triumph nan first ODI successful Cairns. Photograph: Darren England/EPA

Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard transportation from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) erstwhile seemingly headed for a 4th ODI century.

WTC-winning captain, Temba Bavuma, returned for his first lucifer since nan historical last astatine Lord’s 2 months ago, crafting a diligent 65 earlier being bowled by Dwarshuis erstwhile trying to assistance nan run-rate pinch 4 overs left.

Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, caller disconnected his bonzer 367 not retired successful a Test against Zimbabwe past month, delivered successful nan last overs pinch a blazing unbeaten 31.

Earlier, South Africa suffered a awesome blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for nan three-match series.

The 30-year-old will miss nan 50-over games successful northbound Queensland owed to an ankle injury.

Australia fielded first aft skipper Mitch Marsh won nan flip and elected to nonstop nan Proteas successful to bat. When captaining Australia, Marsh has won nan flip 21 times and chosen to section each time.

Australia opted to play Alex Carey arsenic a master batter, pinch Josh Inglis arsenic nan wicketkeeper. But Carey and Inglis some fell to Maharaj, playing mediocre shots to get out.

The 2nd ODI will return spot successful Mackay connected Friday.