Maharaj’s 4/20 And Breetzke Century Stun Australia In 1st ODI In Durban
Keshav Maharaj produced a match-defining spell as the Proteas overcame Australia in a dramatic opening ODI at Kingsmead on Thursday.
After being sent in to bat, South Africa recovered from a difficult start to post 297/8 from their 50 overs, with Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen providing the impetus through the middle and latter stages of the innings.
Breetzke continued his outstanding start to ODI cricket with a magnificent 112 from 106 balls, while Jansen smashed 75 from just 59 deliveries to rescue the Proteas after they had slipped to 168/5.
The pair shared a crucial 107-run sixth-wicket partnership from 81 balls, completely changing the complexion of the innings.
South Africa lost Tony de Zorzi for a duck and Quinton de Kock for 14 inside the first eight overs before Temba Bavuma and Breetzke began rebuilding the innings.
Bavuma contributed 30 from 48 balls before Adam Zampa removed the Proteas captain, while Ryan Rickelton made a brisk 27 from 26 deliveries.
David Miller struggled to get going and fell for nine, leaving South Africa in trouble at 168/5.
Jansen’s arrival, however, sparked the turnaround.
The left-hander attacked the Australian bowling, striking seven fours and four sixes as he raced to 75. At the other end, Breetzke brought up his second ODI century and continued to accumulate runs.
Their partnership eventually ended when Breetzke was run out for 112 in the 48th over following an excellent piece of fielding from Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis.
Jansen fell two overs later, but South Africa finished strongly enough to reach 297/8.
Nathan Ellis was Australia’s leading bowler with 3/57, while Zampa claimed 2/50.
Australia’s chase began explosively.
Mitchell Marsh smashed 60 from just 36 balls, including five fours and six sixes, and combined with Travis Head to put the Proteas under early pressure.
The opening partnership reached 90 before Maharaj made the breakthrough, removing Marsh for 60.
Head followed for 36 before Australia suffered further setbacks, giving South Africa an opportunity to take control.
Maharaj was at the heart of the Proteas’ fightback, assisted by Bjorn Fortuin, using the Kingsmead surface effectively to restrict Australia’s scoring and claim four crucial wickets.
The visitors continued to fight deep into the chase, but the Proteas’ bowlers maintained the pressure, with Jansen producing a sensational catch to send Matt Renshaw back to the pavilion as wickets fell at key moments.
South Africa’s ability to recover from 168/5 with the bat and then withstand Australia’s explosive start with the ball proved decisive.
Breetzke’s century and Jansen’s counter-attacking innings provided the platform, before Maharaj’s disciplined spell of 4/20 in nine overs helped South Africa close out a hard-fought opening ODI at Kingsmead.
Breetzke was named Player of the Match, with Maharaj running him close, while Fortuin finished with excellent figures of 2/34 from his eight overs.
The result gives the Proteas an early advantage in the three-match ODI series, with the second match scheduled for the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday.
