Maharaj spins South Africa to big win in ODI opener

Keshav Maharaj produced the star turn with his maiden ODI five-wicket haul as South Africa stormed to a 98-run win in the opening ODI at Cairns. Maharaj's 5 for 33 ripped the heart out of Australia's chase of 296, which had started brightly at 60 for 0 before collapsing to 89 for 6. Mitchell Marsh fought with a 96-ball 88, but the result was never in doubt.

Spin was always expected to shape this game, both captains suggesting as much at the toss, but Australia's unraveling was still stunning after smashing 50 runs in the first five overs. It was offspinner Prenelan Subrayen who landed the first blow, dragging his length back to beat Travis Head's charge and having the southpaw stumped on 27 for his maiden ODI wicket.

Maharaj then took over. With his very first ball, he beat Marnus Labuschagne's defence and struck him plumb in front. Labuschagne, back in international cricket after being dropped from the Test side in the Caribbean, reviewed half-heartedly and was sent packing. Maharaj next accounted for Cameron Green, angling it in from wide of the crease before beating him on turn. Alex Carey was trapped sweeping, while Aaron Hardie was bowled with a near-replica of the Green dismissal as Maharaj sealed his five-for. By the 17th over, Australia were six down, the writing on the wall, even as Marsh and Ben Dwarshius (33 off 52) stitched a 71-run stand to delay the inevitable.

Spin had been central earlier too, when Head claimed his second four-wicket haul in ODIs. Yet South Africa's batting found just the right tempo to reach 296. At the core was Aiden Markram, promoted to open alongside Ryan Rickelton. The pair put on 92 in 16.5 overs, though Rickelton (33) was jittery, surviving a run-out on 8, an LBW review on a sweep, and Zampa's unsuccessful shout for pitching outside leg, before finally falling to Head.

By then, Markram was in full flow. He reached his 13th ODI fifty off 54 balls, peppering the off-side with drives and cuts, before racing to 82 off 81. A century beckoned, but he nicked off to Dwarshius. Captain Temba Bavuma, batting for the first time since the WTC Final, carried on with composure and found an aggressive partner in Matthew Breetzke. Their 98-run third-wicket stand had South Africa on course for an even bigger total before Breetzke miscued a slog sweep for 57.

Australia briefly clawed back when Head dismissed Tristan Stubbs and debutant Dewald Brevis in the same over, but Wiaan Mulder's lively 31 off 26 ensured South Africa closed on 296, a total far more than Australia could handle once Maharaj got going.

Brief scores: South Africa 296/8 in 50 overs (Aiden Markram 82, Temba Bavuma 65, Matthew Breetzke 57; Travis Head 4-57) beat Australia 198 in 40.5 overs (Mitchell Marsh 88; Keshav Maharaj 5-33) by 98 runs.