South Africa vs Australia Maharaj and Breetzke inspire 67-run ODI win

The South Africa vs Australia contest turned sharply after Australia made a flying start in their chase of 298.

Breetzke scored 112 runs, while Marco Jansen struck 75 from 59 balls as South Africa posted 297 for eight after Australia chose to field.

Australia appeared in control when Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head raced to 90 without loss inside the opening 10 overs.

Maharaj then changed the momentum by dismissing Marsh for 60 from 36 balls. The spinner finished with four wickets for 20 runs.

Bjorn Fortuin also played a key role, taking two wickets for 34 runs. Australia eventually collapsed and were bowled out for 230.

Marsh, who captained Australia in Pat Cummins’ absence, said his side failed to build on its strong opening partnership.

“We got the run rate down. We had opportunities with the bat but we weren’t able to form partnerships,” Marsh said after the match.

Cummins missed the opening game of the three-match series after arriving late in South Africa.

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South Africa had struggled early after losing two wickets for 29 runs. Breetzke faced a demanding spell from Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis on a pitch offering assistance to the seamers.

“It was tricky early on. With a bowling attack like that I really had to dig deep,” Breetzke said.

The 27-year-old built a 54-run partnership with captain Temba Bavuma, who made 30. He then added 42 with Ryan Rickelton, who scored 27.

Breetzke’s most important partnership came with Jansen. The pair added 107 runs from 83 balls to revive South Africa’s innings.

Jansen struck four sixes and seven fours during his aggressive 75. His innings helped South Africa reach a competitive total despite their difficult start.

Marsh responded with an explosive opening assault. He hit five sixes in the first five overs as Australia’s chase gathered pace.

Jansen conceded 33 runs during his opening three overs. Marsh eventually scored 60, with all but four of his runs coming from boundaries.

Maharaj ended Marsh’s attack when Breetzke caught him at cover. Australia then lost wickets regularly as South Africa’s spinners tightened the pressure.

Jansen conceded 64 runs from seven overs but still made a major contribution in the field. He took four catches, including a spectacular full-length diving effort to dismiss Matt Renshaw.

The result gives South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.