South Africa cruised to a 98-run win against Australia, and Keshav Maharaj delivered a Player of the Match performance.
Cairns, Australia (20 August 2025) – The Proteas go again! Sure, this past weekend things did not go as planned in the T20I against Australia, but they stand a chance of flipping the script in their One Day International Series (ODI), also against Australia.
And so far, so good! The South Africans got off to a good start, edging the Aussies by a convincing 98-run victory. It was Aiden Markram’s 82 and Ryan Rickelton’s (33) opening stand that helped lay the foundation of this victory.
Captain Temba Bavuma hit 65 and rising star Matthew Breetzke (57) kept the runs flowing, with Matthew even smashing a six that had the crowd on their feet.
One cannot talk about this incredible match without mentioning Keshav Maharaj. With the ball in hand, the left-arm spinner delivered a spell that fans will be talking about for a long time. In the space of just 24 deliveries, he tore through Australia’s batting line-up, taking five wickets. A performance that earned him Player of the Match honours.
While Australian captain Mitch Marsh (88) put up a brave fight and hit powerful shots, it was not enough for the South African force.
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The victory not only gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but for fans, it’s a reminder of why cricket is so thrilling. It is about the moments of steady build-up, sudden shifts in momentum, and that one player rising to take control when it matters most.
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South Africans can look forward to the second and third matches of the series, which will be played at the Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay on Friday (22 August) and Sunday (24 August). And maybe all eyes will be on Keshav to see if he can spin his magic once again.
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