Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Breetzke Century Powers South Africa Past Australia in ODI Opener
South Africa played Australia in the first match of a three-game ODI cricket series.
South Africa batted first and scored 297 runs for eight wickets.
Matthew Breetzke made 112 runs, while Marco Jansen scored 75.
Australia started its chase quickly, with Mitch Marsh making 60 runs.
However, Australia began losing wickets and could not keep its partnerships together.
South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin made scoring difficult.
Australia was bowled out for 230 runs.
South Africa therefore won by 67 runs.
The second match is scheduled for Sunday in Johannesburg.
Matthew Breetzke scored 112 from 106 balls as South Africa made 297 for eight.
Marco Jansen added 75 from 59 balls and took a diving catch to dismiss Matt Renshaw.
Australia began its chase strongly but lost nine wickets for 101 runs and was bowled out for 230.
Keshav Maharaj took 4/20 and Bjorn Fortuin claimed 2/34 as South Africa’s spinners controlled the chase.
South Africa won by 67 runs, with Australia captain Mitch Marsh citing a lack of batting partnerships.
- Who
- South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, and Australia, led by Mitch Marsh.
- What
- South Africa defeated Australia by 67 runs in the opening ODI of a three-match series.
- When
- Thursday; the second ODI is scheduled for Sunday.
- Where
- The opening match was played in Durban, with the next match scheduled for Johannesburg.
- Why
- South Africa recovered from early pressure to make a competitive total, while Australia’s chase collapsed after it failed to build batting partnerships.
South Africa’s Assessment
Australia’s Assessment
Explanation for the result
South Africa’s Assessment
Temba Bavuma described the performance as a strong all-round effort and said South Africa recovered after being under pressure early in both innings.
Australia’s Assessment
Mitch Marsh said Australia was outplayed and repeatedly failed to form batting partnerships.
Decisive phase
South Africa’s Assessment
South Africa’s spinners, particularly Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin, restricted Australia after its strong opening partnership.
Australia’s Assessment
Australia’s chase lost momentum as several batters gave away their wickets, with poor shot selection contributing to the collapse.
- Result
- South Africa won by 67 runs.
- South Africa total
- 297 for eight in 50 overs.
- Australia total
- 230 all out.
- Top scorer
- Matthew Breetzke scored 112 from 106 balls.
- Key contribution
- Marco Jansen scored 75 from 59 balls.
- Top bowler
- Keshav Maharaj took 4/20 in 9.2 overs.
- Series status
- South Africa leads the three-match series 1-0.
