A clinical South African performance has left Australia reeling after a 98-run drubbing in the first ODI. The tourists were superior with both bat and ball, with Keshav Maharaj’s five-wicket haul the standout performance of the match.
The tone for the match was set by the South African batsmen, who compiled a strong total of 8-296. Aiden Markram (82) and Temba Bavuma (65) were the chief architects of an innings that put Australia under pressure from the start.
That pressure told in the Australian chase. After a solid 60-run opening stand, the innings imploded against the spin of Maharaj. His career-best 5-33 sparked a collapse of 6-29, effectively ending the game as a contest.
Mitch Marsh was the lone fighter for Australia with a defiant 88, but it was not enough to prevent a heavy defeat. The result leaves Australia with many questions to answer before the next match.
Clinical South Africa Leave Australia Reeling After 98-Run Drubbing
