Breetzke century and Maharaj four wickets lift South Africa past Australia

South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in Durban to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match one-day international series. Matthew Breetzke's century and Marco Jansen's contributions with bat and in the field helped the hosts defend 297-8, with Australia dismissed for 230 in 41.2 overs, according to Australian Associated Press reporting published by The Guardian.

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Breetzke scored 112 after Australia's stand-in captain Mitch Marsh chose to bowl. Jansen added 75 from 59 deliveries, giving South Africa a second substantial innings and helping set a target of 298. His contribution was not confined to the first innings: he later took the outfield catch that removed Matt Renshaw during Australia's unsuccessful chase.

Australia initially made rapid progress through Marsh and Travis Head, who put on 90 for the first wicket in 9.2 overs. Marsh reached 60 from 36 balls, hitting three sixes. One travelled 104 metres, clearing the dressing-room roof at Kingsmead and landing beside the road. Head made 36, but neither opener converted his start into a longer innings.

South Africa's left-arm spinners then restricted the chase and took wickets. Maharaj returned 4-20 and Bjorn Fortuin 2-34, accounting for six Australian batters between them. Cooper Connolly scored 38 and Renshaw made 44, but Australia could not build the partnerships needed to sustain their pursuit. Josh Inglis was dismissed attempting a reverse sweep on the eighth delivery he faced.

Australia lost their final six wickets for 54 runs. Jansen's running, diving one-handed catch to dismiss Renshaw off Gerald Coetzee left the visitors 215-7 and removed another batter who had made a start. After the defeat, Marsh expressed disappointment and acknowledged that South Africa had outplayed his side. He pointed to Australia's inability to put together enough batting partnerships despite having opportunities.

Marsh was captaining in place of the rested Pat Cummins, who is expected to return for Sunday's second match at The Wanderers in Johannesburg. Australia must win that game to keep alive their chance of taking the series. The visitors have not won a bilateral series against South Africa since 2014, AAP reported.