Maharaj routs Aussies for crushing win: 1st ODI (Cairns)

Spinner Keshav Maharaj bowled a devastating spell as South Africa claimed a dominant 98-run victory over Australia in the first ODI at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns, taking a 1–0 series lead.

Batting first, the Proteas posted a record 296/8, the highest ODI total at the venue, thanks to key knocks from Aiden Markram (82), Temba Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57), with Travis Head’s part-time spin returning an impressive 4/57 for Australia.

In reply, Australia made a solid start with a 60-run opening stand between Head and Mitchell Marsh, but they crumbled to 198 all out in 40.5 overs.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj ripped through the middle order with a devastating spell of 5/33, including a stretch of 5/9, to secure Player of the Match honours and hand South Africa a convincing series-opening win

South Africa 296 for 8 (Markram 82, Bavuma 65, Breetzke 57, Head 4-57) beat Australia 198 (Marsh 88, Maharaj 5-33) by 98 runs.

Aug 2025