WIN 'N SPIN

SA CRICKETER of the Year Keshav Maharaj tore through Australia’s new-look batting order as the Proteas claimed the ODI series opener by 98 runs in Cairns on Tuesday. 

In the unfamiliar spin-friendly conditions, Maharaj spun a web around the Australian middle-order to claim 5/33 as the hosts’ pursuit of the Proteas’ 296/8 collapsed in a heap as they were dismissed for 198.

Australia had stormed to 60/0 in just seven overs, but proceeded to lose 6/29 in the midst of Maharaj’s wizardry.

It was, however, debutant Prenelan Subrayen (1/46) who started the collapse after flummoxing Travis Head (27) through the air to allow Ryan Rickelton to whip off the bails. 

From thereon it was a lone vigil from Australian captain Mitchell Marsh (88) who stood in the Proteas’ path of seizing a 1-0 lead in the series as wickets tumbled regularly at the other end.

Marnus Labuschagne was beaten with a delivery that gripped and straightened as Maharaj had the white ball on a string.

The veteran spinner produced a ripping turner to clean bowl Cameron Green with a delivery that whizzed past his outside edge before dismissing Josh Hardie and Alex Carey with successive balls.

Maharaj was not done yet though, as he produced another beauty to clean bowl Alex Hardie to leave Australia reeling at 89/6. 

There was no way back for the hosts with Marsh eventually falling to Nandre Burger (2/54) which left the tail exposed for Lungi Ngidi (2/28) to complete the mopping up job. 

Earlier, the Proteas batters had posted a competitive total through half-centuries from Aiden Markram (82), captain Temba Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57).

Markram had looked destined for his first white-ball century since the 2023 World Cup, but was dismissed with a deft touch behind to Josh Inglis.