Breetzke century helps South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in ODI opener

South Africa defeated Australia by 67 runs in the opening men’s one-day international in Durban on Thursday, recovering from difficult starts with both bat and ball to take the lead in the series. Matthew Breetzke made 112 and Marco Jansen contributed 75 before the hosts bowled Australia out for 230 in pursuit of 298, according to the Guardian’s live match coverage.

Watch the highlights:

Australia chose to field at Kingsmead and made early progress. Josh Hazlewood removed Tony de Zorzi without scoring, while Nathan Ellis dismissed Quinton de Kock for 14. Adam Zampa then accounted for Temba Bavuma for 30 and Ryan Rickelton for 27. When Ellis caught David Miller off his own bowling for 10, South Africa were 168 for five and still had substantial rebuilding work ahead.

Breetzke and Jansen supplied the runs that changed the shape of the innings. Breetzke reached his century before being run out for 112 with the total at 275 for six. Jansen continued to 75 before Ellis trapped him lbw. Their contributions gave South Africa a target to defend after Australia’s bowlers had taken control of the early stages, with Breetzke subsequently named player of the match.

Australia began the chase strongly through Mitchell Marsh, who reached his half-century from 31 balls before falling to Keshav Maharaj for 60 at 90 for one. Travis Head made 36 before Jansen dismissed him. Bjorn Fortuin then removed Josh Inglis for three and Cooper Connolly for 38, leaving Australia 156 for four and bringing South Africa back into contention.

Maharaj dismissed Cameron Green and Jack Edwards as the chase became increasingly dependent on Matt Renshaw. Renshaw reached 44 before Jansen caught him in the deep off Gerald Coetzee, leaving Australia 215 for seven. South Africa had also restricted Renshaw and Mitchell Starc to just two runs across four overs earlier in their partnership, slowing the chase as well as taking wickets.

Corbin Bosch removed Starc and Ellis before Maharaj ended the match by dismissing Zampa, caught by Breetzke. That gave Maharaj four wickets and Breetzke three catches to accompany his century. Australia’s innings finished after 41.2 overs, as confirmed by the BBC scorecard. South Africa lead with two matches remaining, and the second ODI is scheduled for Sunday.