It was a match which started with Australia threatening to dominate but turned around with South Africa taking charge of the opening ODI in the city of Durban. The hosts overcame an early batting setback, a late assault then found them a competitive total as they watched Australia’s push collapse to give them a 67-run win.
South Africa’s key player was Marco Jansen, who scored a quick 75 off the bat, and, in turn, played a crucial role with the ball. He sent Travis Head and a classy catch to clear Matt Renshaw to put Australia’s spirited pursuit on hold.
South Africa was in trouble from the outset of their innings in South Africa. Josh Hazlewood took Tony de Zorzi for a duck and Quinton de Kock was soon to be joined by him, and the hosts were 29 for 2. Matthew Breetzke then stepped in to reconstruct the innings as a number of middle-order batsmen supported him.
Breetzke’s ‘112’ was the cornerstone to South Africa’s turnaround. He played a steady middle over before hitting into the accelerator as soon as he hit his 100, but power was provided by Jansen, who was instrumental in the innings going out of Australia’s control.
The duo’s combination was especially lethal in the final 25 overs. Breetzke’s century was crucial to the all-out attack, as Jansen then sliced two sixes at Adam Zampa and targeted Mitchell Starc. Jansen later added 75 from 59 deliveries to ensure South Africa had a decent 297 for eight.
Australia initially said that the target could be too low. Mitchell Marsh was given a great opportunity to produce a powerplay with five sixes in his 35-ball 60. Travis Head also had a fast out and Australia were at 89 at the end of the ninth over.
But the chase was broken when Keshav Maharaj picked up Marsh. South Africa got an opportunity when Head left the game, although Connolly briefly threatened, but then he was unable to keep the pressure. The momentum set by the middle soon got lost as the middle order took the piss.
Bjorn Fortuin did his part to take down the pair by letting Josh Inglis and Connolly go, and Maharaj got rid of Cameron Green and Jack Edwards. Eventually his four-wicket haul took Australia to 189 for six.
Renshaw tried to buy time as he came up with 44, but the one-handed catch at deep midwicket brought his innings to a close for Jansen. Australia were then bowled out for 230 in 41.5 overs and South Africa had a seemingly improbable margin.
In the first game, South Africa bounced back from their two early wickets and the way they responded to Marsh’s attack would be the difference-maker. Australia are now 1-0 down and will need to build on their stability in the middle overs when they meet again.