Keshav Maharaj showed a super career-defining performance in Cairns, registering his first five-wicket haul in ODIs to hand South Africa a convincing win over Australia and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Defending a huge total of 296, the highest ever recorded at the venue, the Proteas bowled Australia out in just 41 overs, securing their heaviest home defeat by runs since 1991. As the Australian innings crumbled like a pack of cards against the relentless spin of Keshav Maharaj, one man stood tall amid the ruins: Mitchell Marsh. With grit and determination, he carved out a fighting 88, keeping his side’s hopes alive. But once his defences were finally breached, the Proteas wasted no time in hammering the final nail into Australia’s coffin, sealing their dominance with authority.
The turning point came in a devastating spell of spin where South Africa took six wickets for just 29 runs between the 8th and 17th overs. Maharaj was at the heart of it, exploiting a slow, turning surface to finish with outstanding figures of 5 for 33. His effort underlined his value in white-ball cricket, especially after being left out of the T20Is in favour of spin-bowling all-rounders.
Maharaj’s omission was a talking point ahead of the series, but his impact here was undeniable. Off spinner Prenelan Subrayen also impressed on ODI debut, taking 1 for 46 in his full quota of overs.
For Australia, part-time spinner Travis Head stood out with the ball, claiming 4 for 57 from nine overs, underlining the spinner-friendly nature of the pitch. With the bat, South Africa were well served by half-centuries from Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma.
After being put into bat by the Australia which won the toss, Markram led the charge with a composed 82 off 81 balls, forming a 92-run opening stand with Ryan Rickelton. Bavuma, returning to action for the first time since the World Test Championship final, contributed with a patient fifty, while Breetzke added flair in the middle overs.
Australia’s chase began brightly, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh racing to 60 inside seven overs. Head, in particular, took apart Nandre Burger with five boundaries in a single over.
But once spin entered the attack, the collapse was swift. Subrayen got the breakthrough by stumping Head, and Maharaj struck with his very first delivery rapping Marnus Labuschagne LBW. Maharaj then produced a peach to clean bowl Cameron Green and added the scalps of Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, and Aaron Hardie to complete his five-wicket haul.
At one point, Maharaj had 5 for 9, before Australia staged a minor fightback. Marsh led the resistance with 88 and shared a 71-run stand with Ben Dwarshuis. But once Marsh fell to a top-edged pull, the end was inevitable.South Africa’s innings ended with Wiaan Mulder’s quickfire 31 from 26 balls, taking them to 296. Despite losing five wickets in the final 10 overs, the total proved more than sufficient.
It was a commanding performance by the visitors, who outplayed Australia in all departments to seize early control of the series.
