Aussies Stunned in Durban as Proteas Spinners Seal ODI Victory
Australia suffered a 67-run collapse against South Africa in the first ODI in Durban after a brilliant century by Matthew Breetzke and devastating spin.
A familiar foe has returned to haunt Australia as a seemingly cruisy run chase was thrown into chaos by South Africa’s spin attack as the hosts claimed a 67-run victory in the first ODI in Durban.
Set 298 to win after a spectacular century from Matthew Breetzke saved the day for the Proteas, Australia looked to have broken the back of the chase after a whirlwind half-century from captain Mitchell Marsh helped add 90 in just 56 balls for the first wicket.
But after Marsh and Travis Head fell attempting one big shot too many, the middle order crumbled in the face of Proteas twin spinners Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin.
The pair took six wickets between them, with Maharaj weaving a web of deception to take 4/20 from 9.2 overs to bowl Australia out for 230 in just 41.2 overs.
On 44, last recognised batter Matt Renshaw fell to an extraordinary catch on the boundary from Marco Jansen to all but seal the Proteas victory.
The star all-rounder, who had earlier bludgeoned 75 off just 59 balls, took a one-handed stunner diving to his right on the mid-wicket boundary.
Earlier, Breetzke hit 14 fours and two sixes to anchor the hosts’ innings, putting on a quickfire 107-run partnership with Jansen to power the Proteas to 8/297 from their 50 overs.
Nathan Ellis was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 3/57, though a late-innings clash occurred after a contentious single involving a ricochet off Breetzke before Ellis trapped Jansen LBW.