Breetzke century and Maharaj four wickets sink Australia in Durban ODI

South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in the opening one-day international in Durban, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Matthew Breetzke's century and a four-wicket return from Maharaj helped the hosts defend 297-8, with Australia dismissed for 230 in 41.2 overs, according to the Guardian's match report.

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Breetzke made 112 after Australian stand-in captain Mitch Marsh put South Africa in to bat. Marco Jansen contributed 75 from 59 deliveries, providing another major contribution to an innings that set Australia a target of 298. Jansen would also play a notable part in the field during the chase.

Australia initially responded strongly through Marsh and Travis Head, who shared an opening partnership of 90 in 9.2 overs. Marsh scored 60 from 36 balls, including three sixes. One of those travelled 104 metres, clearing the dressing-room roof at Kingsmead before landing beside the road, the Guardian reported.

That fast start did not develop into a successful pursuit. Head made 36, Cooper Connolly scored 38 and Matt Renshaw added 44, but Australia failed to build the further partnerships they needed. Marsh was dismissed by Maharaj, whose figures of 4-20 made him the leading wicket-taker in the home attack.

Bjorn Fortuin supported Maharaj with 2-34 as South Africa's two left-arm spinners tightened their grip. Josh Inglis fell attempting a reverse sweep on the eighth delivery he faced. Australia lost their final six wickets for 54 runs, a collapse that ended the chase with more than eight overs still unused.

Jansen's fielding helped remove Renshaw at a crucial stage. Running and diving in the outfield, he completed a one-handed catch just above the ground off Gerald Coetzee's bowling. The dismissal left Australia 215-7. Afterwards, Marsh acknowledged that South Africa had been the better side and pointed to Australia's inability to sustain batting partnerships.

Marsh was leading Australia in place of the rested Pat Cummins, who is expected to return for Sunday's second ODI at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Australia must win that match to keep the series alive. The Guardian noted that they have not won a bilateral series against South Africa since 2014.