Keshav Maharaj took his first ODI five-wicket as South Africa thumped Australia by 98 runs in the series opener in Cairns. In response, they had to defend 296 runs in 8 wickets where South Africa spin attack, headed by Maharaj decimated Australians with 6 wickets to 29 runs between the eighth and 17th over.
Maharaj bowled brilliantly to take 5 for 33 in restricting Australia to its heaviest home defeat since 1991, spinning it on a slow and spin friendly pitch. Aiden Markram made 82, Temba Bavuma made 65, Matthew Breetzke made 57 and these half centuries were the orienting part of the innings that South Africa had.
Australians got off to a good start, Mitchell Marsh scored 88 and was accompanied by Ben Dwarshuis with 71 runs partnership. But the entry of Maharaj and offspiner Prenelan Subrayen changed the fortunes. Maharaj sent back critical batters Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis in a ruthless spell taking a wicket in nearly every over.
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South Africa kept the tight-lines and it was tough to get going even after Marsh offered a fight as Australia came to recover. The latter order of Wiaan Mulder (31) enabled South Africa to finish good. This performance given by Maharaj proved his worthiness in limited-overs cricket as well as gave a loud and clear message to the world that South Africa was having the upper hand in Cairns.
The outstanding performance by Keshav Maharaj also became the starting point of the series that highlighted his skills to dominate games through the use of spin and seal a resounding win at the Asian nation.
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