Breetzke century sets up South Africa's 67-run win over Australia

South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in the first one-day international in Durban to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The hosts made 297 for 8 after Australia asked them to bat first at Kingsmead. Australia were then bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs, chasing 298 to win The Guardian.

A one-day international gives each side 50 overs to bat. It rewards fast scoring, but also punishes a team that loses wickets in a clump. Both patterns shaped this game.

South Africa were built around Matthew Breetzke’s 112. He held the innings together at the top. Marco Jansen then gave it late punch with 75 from 59 balls.

Australia’s reply started at full speed. Stand-in captain Mitch Marsh, leading in place of the rested Pat Cummins, smashed 60 from 36 balls with three sixes. He and Travis Head put on 90 for the first wicket in just 9.2 overs. Head made 36.

At 129 for 1 after 16 overs, Australia were ahead of the pace ESPN. Then the game turned hard. Australia lost their next nine wickets for 101 runs. The last six fell for only 54.

Matt Renshaw made 44 and Cooper Connolly added 38. No one else stayed long enough to steady the chase. Keshav Maharaj did the main damage with 4 for 20. Bjorn Fortuin supported him with 2 for 34.

What makes this stand out is the speed of the swing. Australia looked in control during the fielding restrictions of the early overs, when only a few fielders are allowed outside the inner ring. Once South Africa’s bowlers slowed the ball down and forced mistakes, the required rate climbed and the wickets followed.

The series now moves on with South Africa ahead. Australia need answers with both bat and ball after a Thursday defeat in which a flying start counted for little.