AUS vs SA 1st ODI: Maharaj, Markram lead SA to 98-run win over Australia

Keshav Maharaj

Aiden Markram hit 82 before left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj tore through Australia's new-look batting order as South Africa claimed the ODI series opener by 98 runs in Cairns on Tuesday.

Sent in to bat, Markram crunched nine boundaries in his 81-ball knock to power SA to 296-8.

In reply, openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head flattened SA's pacemen as Australia raced to 60-0 after seven overs. But the match flipped after the introduction of spin. Maharaj finished with career-best figures of 5-33 from 10 overs as Australia were dismissed for 198 in the 41st over.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever