South Africa Take 1-0 ODI Lead As Breetzke, Maharaj Star Against Australia

South Africa opened their three-match ODI series against Australia with a 67-run victory at Kingsmead, Durban, on Thursday, taking a 1-0 advantage.

Asked to bat first, the hosts made 297-8 in 50 overs after an early collapse left them at 29-2.

Matthew Breetzke rebuilt the innings alongside captain Temba Bavuma, adding 54 for the third wicket.

Bavuma made 30 from 48 balls, including four fours. Breetzke then added 42 with Ryan Rickelton and 43 with David Miller, guiding South Africa to 168.

Rickelton scored 27, while Miller managed nine. Breetzke and Marco Jansen subsequently turned the innings around with a 107-run partnership from 81 balls for the sixth wicket.

Breetzke struck 112, hitting 14 fours and two sixes. Jansen contributed 75 from 59 deliveries, including seven fours and four sixes.

Nathan Ellis took three Australian wickets, Adam Zampa claimed two, and Josh Hazlewood picked up one.

Australia’s reply ended at 230 in 41.2 overs. Captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head gave the visitors a flying start, putting on 90 in 9.2 overs. Marsh hammered 60 from 36 balls, with five fours and six sixes.

Head scored 36 before falling after a 39-run stand with Cooper Connolly, who added 38. Australia then lost their third wicket at 134.

Matt Renshaw attempted to steady the chase through smaller partnerships, but his 44 from 49 balls, including six fours, could not turn the match around.

Keshav Maharaj led South Africa’s attack with four wickets for 20 runs. Corbin Bosch and Bjorn Fortuin took two wickets apiece.

The teams will meet for the remaining ODIs on 27 and 30 September, before beginning a three-Test series scheduled for 9–31 October.

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