Delhi: South Africa has defeated Australia by 67 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series played at the Kingsmead ground in Durban. Batting first, South Africa scored a huge score of 297 runs after losing 8 wickets in 50 overs, thanks to Matthew Britzke's brilliant century (112) and all-rounder Marco Jansen's blazing half-century (75).

In reply, the Australian team, which came to chase the target, got trapped in the spin of Keshav Maharaj (4/20) and was reduced to just 230 runs in 41.2 overs. With this victory, the host team has taken a 1-0 lead in the series.

Initial setbacks and Britzke-Yansen counterattack

The South African team, which came to bat after losing the toss, did not have a good start. Tony de Jorji (0) and Quinton de Kock (14) returned to the pavilion cheaply. After this, captain Temba Bavuma (30) and Ryan Rickelton (27) tried to handle the innings, but Adam Zampa dismissed both of them. When star batsman David Miller (9) was out, half the African team was reduced to the score of 168 runs.

From here Matthew Britzke and Marco Yansen together took charge. There was a brilliant century partnership of 107 runs in just 81 balls between the two for the sixth wicket. Britzke played a century inning of 112 runs on 106 balls with the help of 14 fours and 2 sixes. At the same time, Jansen scored 75 runs in just 59 balls, hitting 7 fours and 4 skyscraper sixes, due to which South Africa was successful in reaching 297.

Marsh's stormy start, then the middle order collapsed like a pack of cards.

Captain Mitchell Marsh gave an explosive start to the Australian team chasing the target of 298 runs. Marsh along with Travis Head (36) made a stormy partnership of 90 runs in 9.2 overs for the first wicket. Marsh scored 60 runs in just 36 balls, hitting 5 fours and 6 sixes.

But as soon as Keshav Maharaj sent Mitchell Marsh to the pavilion in the 10th over, the Australian innings derailed. After the dismissal of Travis Head, no Kangaroo batsman could stay on the crease. Matt Renshaw contributed 44 runs and Cooper Connolly contributed 38 runs, but the South African bowlers did not let their grip on the match loose.

Keshav Maharaj's spin trap and brilliant bowling

Spinner Keshav Maharaj proved to be the biggest hero for South Africa. In his 9.2 over spell, he gave only 20 runs while bowling 2 maidens and showed the way to the pavilion to Australia's 4 main batsmen. His economy rate was only 2.10.

Apart from Maharaj, Bjorn Fortune took 2 wickets for 34 runs in 8 overs, while Corbin Bosch also got 2 successes. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, who performed all-round, took 1 wicket each. After the flop in bowling, Australia's lower order also collapsed like a pack of cards and the entire team was all out for 230 runs.