South Africa beat Australia in first ODI as teams play first series since ball-tampering scandal
Australia bowled out for 152 - their lowest total against South Africa on home soil since 1997
Monday 5 November 2018 07:33, UK
South Africa cruised to a simple six-wicket victory over Australia in the first one-day international in Perth, as the two teams met for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal.
The visitors' pace bowlers picked up seven wickets between them, with Andile Phehlukwayo earning the best figures of 3-33, as the hosts were bowled out for 152 in 38.1 overs - their lowest total on home soil against the Proteas since 1997.
South Africa eased to their target in just 29.2 overs, with Quinton de Kock striking 47 and Reeza Hendricks making 44.
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Having opted to bowl, Dale Steyn (2-18) struck after only 15 balls of the innings as a thin edge from Travis Head (1) was easily collected by De Kock and the visitors' captain Faf du Plessis then took a brilliant catch at second slip to get rid of D'Arcy Short for a duck two balls later.
The hosts were in free-fall and newly appointed ODI captain Aaron Finch (5) was trapped lbw by Lungi Ngidi (2-26) to leave Australia 8-3.
And, with the Proteas well and truly on top, Phehlukwayo had Chris Lynn (15) caught behind before combining with Heinrich Klaasen to have Glenn Maxwell (11) and Marcus Stoinis (14) both caught at mid-on.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey (33) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (34) showed some fight but spinner Imran Tahir picked up 2-39 as the home side were castled for 152 with 71 balls of their innings remaining.
In response, De Kock and Hendricks shared a 94-run opening stand before the South African wicketkeeper was at mid-off off Coulter-Nile three runs short of his half-century.
Despite losing Hendricks soon after, Aidan Markram made a fluent 36 off 32 balls before Miller hit the winning two runs off his first ball.
