1st ODI, Cairns, August 19, 2025, 10:00 AM
South Africa
296/8(50.0ov)
Australia
198/10(40.5ov)
South Africa beat Australia by 98 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Keshav Maharaj
Commentry
Right then, that is it from the 1st ODI between Australia and South Africa and for the remaining two games, we move to the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, down South. The hosts will look to bounce back and force a decider but for now, the Proteas are in the driving seat. The 2nd ODI will be played on Friday, 22 August and will begin at 4.30 am GMT. However, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Till then, take care and goodbye!
The victorious captain of South Africa, Temba Bavuma, is up for a chat now. He is delighted and says it was a good all-round performance by the boys. Reflects the wicket was a bit two-paced but they adapted nicely to the conditions. Feels that they put a competitive score on the board, and the bowlers backed up pretty well. Mentions it was not a bad toss to lose, but also admits that they too, didn't expect the ball to turn this much. Appreciates the way Keshav Maharaj bowled and was supported well by the rest of the bowlers as well. Shares that when you are playing against an opposition like Australia, you know they like to get pace on the bat and reflects that after assessing the conditions, they had the weapons with the spin and came off well for them. Also shares that while batting, their conversation was that the wicket is not going to get easier, and hence, they wanted to get around 300. Also highlights that even going by the stats, any score above 250 makes it challenging to chase.
The captain of Australia, Mitchell Marsh, says that Keshav Maharaj was outstanding throughout with the ball. He mentions that there was certainly a little more spin than they expected, but they had to take their hats off to someone like him as he won the game. He admits that it was a lack of confidence as a whole over the last period of time. He also says that they play spin well as a group, but Keshav bowled well and took some crucial wickets. On being asked about playing an extra spinner in the next game, Marsh says they will look at the conditions and decide based on that.
South Africa's Keshav Maharaj is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar five-wicket haul. He says it feels surreal to get the first five-for of his ODI career. Reflects that he just tried to use the conditions to his benefit. On whether he expected the ball to stick and turn, Maharaj mentions that he tried to make full utilization of the surface and got the rewards. Also appreciates his fellow spinner and says his job was made easy by Prenelan Subrayen from the other end, who also bowled with control. Also feels that it was a good batting display on a tricky wicket and they are happy to take an early lead in the series.
The Presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Mitchell Marsh won yet another toss and opted to bowl first as usual. The pitch was on the drier side and the average score was under 250 in recent ODI matches here. However, South Africa were positive from the start and after seeing off the new ball, they started to fire. The top four laid down the foundation, with three of them going past the 50-run mark and a solid knock towards the death from Wiaan Mulder took to very close to the 300-run mark. As for Australia, their pacers fared decently with Josh Hazlewood remaining economical and Ben Dwarshuis picking up a couple of wickets but it was Travis Head who provided the crucial wickets and ended up with a four-fer.
The pitch did start to get better as the dew settled in and soon enough, the ball started to skid on rather than grip. However, the damage was already done by Keshav Maharaj. Ben Dwarshuis stitched together a steady stand along with his skipper, worth 71 runs, before Nandre Burger got him out softly. Burger also got the big fish in the form of Mitchell Marsh for 88 runs, and that was the last nail in the coffin for Australia as they were 8 for 174 and staring down a 100-run plus defeat at home for the first time since 1991, according to the on-air commentators. However, a bit of a late resistance from Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa made sure that it wasn't a 100-run plus defeat as Lungi Ngidi picked up the remaining two wickets and sealed the game for his side.
Keshav Maharaj came into the attack from the other end and just ripped through the Australian batting order and what was 60/0 became 75/5 in a flash as Maharaj got four wickets on the trot. He didn't stop there and made it a five-wicket haul as Australia were reduced to 89/6 in just 16.2 overs, with their skipper stranded at one end.
Australia will be disappointed with the loss, especially after the start their openers gave them inside the first Powerplay. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh put on 60 runs in just 43 balls when Head got out. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen was the one who got the Proteas back in the game, and that wicket completely changed the game.
A comprehensive win for South Africa in the 1st ODI in Cairns and they have taken a vital 1-0 lead in this three-match series. A solid total on the board, followed by a strong display from their spinners and that was more than enough to beat the Aussies on their turf. This is South Africa's biggest win in terms of runs against Australia in Australia in an ODI game.
In over# 41
0W
0
1
0W
1
Lungi Ngidi 28/2(4.5)
OUT! BOWLED'EM! That's it, done and dusted! Lungi Ngidi brings out another slower ball and bowls it full and on off. Adam Zampa is undone by the trajectory as the ball dips and goes off the inside edge. The ball then crashes into the stumps. South Africa win by 98 runs and Ngidi is elated, so are the Proteas as the tourists take an early lead in this three-match ODI series.
40.5
W
OUT! BOWLED'EM! That's it, done and dusted! Lungi Ngidi brings out another slower ball and bowls it full and on off. Adam Zampa is undone by the trajectory as the ball dips and goes off the inside edge. The ball then crashes into the stumps. South Africa win by 98 runs and Ngidi is elated, so are the Proteas as the tourists take an early lead in this three-match ODI series.
40.4
.
Goes full and straight now, pace on as well, Adam Zampa hangs back and blocks it off.
40.3
1
A low full toss on off, slower one dipping as well, Josh Hazlewood manages to jam it out through mid-wicket and picks up a single.
Josh Hazlewood is the last batter in for Australia!
OUT! LBW! A huge appeal and given! That seemed to be missing leg to the naked eye but Australia do not have any reviews left and Nathan Ellis has to walk back. Lungi Ngidi brings out the off-cutter, bowling it into the deck and around middle. The ball pitches and nips backin square. Ellis is taken aback and looks to pull but the ball stays low and gets hit on the back pad. South Africa are now just one wicket away from sealing the game.
40.2
W
OUT! LBW! A huge appeal and given! That seemed to be missing leg to the naked eye but Australia do not have any reviews left and Nathan Ellis has to walk back. Lungi Ngidi brings out the off-cutter, bowling it into the deck and around middle. The ball pitches and nips backin square. Ellis is taken aback and looks to pull but the ball stays low and gets hit on the back pad. South Africa are now just one wicket away from sealing the game.
40.1
1
Short of a length and outside off, Zampa comes forward and hits it straight to covers. The fielder misfields and they get a single.
Welcome to the ultimate coverage of the South Africa Tour of Australia 2025, 1st ODI, featuring Australia and South Africa. Experience the thrill of live cricket with our instant score updates, toss news, squads, and real-time commentary.
Match Details – AUS vs SA
- Match Day: 19 August 2025 (Tuesday)
- Time: 10:00 AM (IST)
- Venue: Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns
- Toss Time: 9:30 AM IST
- Streaming Partners: Fancode
- Live Commentary: TheLiveCricketScore.com
Playing XI:
Australia:
Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Ellis, and Xavier Bartlett
South Africa:
Matthew Breetzke, Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Prenelan Subrayen
AUS vs SA – Head-to-Head Record
- Played: 7
- Wins – Australia: 3 | South Africa: 4
- No Result:
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