South Africa drew first blood in the three-match ODI series against Australia with a dominant 98-run victory in Cairns on Tuesday – and it was Keshav Maharaj who stole the show with one of the greatest spin spells ever produced by a Proteas bowler in Australia.
After being asked to bat first, the Proteas posted a competitive 296/8 thanks to composed half-centuries from Aiden Markram (82), Temba Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57). It was a solid effort on a slow surface that offered little pace or bounce, but the turning point of the match came when Maharaj entered the attack.
With Australia cruising at 60 without loss, Maharaj produced a career-best 5 for 33 in a mesmerising spell that ripped the heart out of Australia’s top and middle order. In just 25 deliveries, he removed Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Aaron Hardie – transforming the scoreboard from 60-1 to 89-6 and effectively ending the contest before the halfway point of the chase.
His immaculate control, sharp turn and clever changes of pace made batting look almost impossible, and even Mitchell Marsh’s fighting 88 couldn’t pull Australia out of the collapse. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen and Lungi Ngidi provided excellent support, but it was Maharaj’s artistry that broke Australia’s spirit.
The Proteas’ spin-led attack, backed up by disciplined seam bowling from Burger and Ngidi, cleaned up the tail in the 41st over to secure one of South Africa’s most convincing ODI wins away from home in recent years.
With Rabada sidelined through injury, South Africa needed someone to step up – and Maharaj delivered a masterclass worthy of winning any match, anywhere in the world.
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