South Africa’s Spin Masterclass Secures 98-Run Victory in Cairns ODI Opener

On August 19, 2025, the Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns hosted a thrilling day-night encounter as South Africa kicked off their three-match ODI series against Australia with a commanding 98-run victory. Powered by a trio of half-centuries from Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, and Matthew Breetzke, and a sensational five-wicket haul from Keshav Maharaj, the Proteas outclassed the reigning ODI World Champions, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The match, played on a spin-friendly surface, showcased South Africa’s adaptability and depth, while exposing Australia’s ongoing struggles in the 50-over format. This comprehensive win marked South Africa’s biggest ODI victory by runs against Australia on Australian soil, setting the tone for a fiercely contested series.

Cazaly’s Stadium, nestled in Far North Queensland, is no stranger to international cricket but has hosted only six ODIs prior to this match, with Australia maintaining an unbeaten record at the venue. The pitch, known for offering assistance to bowlers, particularly spinners, and with totals rarely exceeding 270, promised a challenging contest. Clear skies and a temperature of around 26°C greeted the teams, with dew expected to play a role under lights, influencing South Africa’s decision to bat first after winning the toss. The match marked the first ODI between the two sides since Australia’s victory in the 2023 World Cup semifinal, and with both teams in transition ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, the stakes were high.

South Africa arrived with a formidable record, having won four of their last five ODI series against Australia (2016: 5-0, 2018: 2-1, 2020: 3-0, 2023: 3-2). However, the absence of key players like Kagiso Rabada (ruled out with ankle inflammation), Marco Jansen (thumb injury), David Miller (playing in The Hundred), and the retired Heinrich Klaasen tested their depth. Australia, too, were depleted, missing Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell (retired from ODIs), Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc (rested), and Matt Short, Mitchell Owen, and Lance Morris (injured). The hosts fielded a relatively inexperienced side, with debutant Cooper Connolly and late inclusions Aaron Hardie and Matt Kuhnemann, setting the stage for a clash of emerging talent.

South Africa’s decision to bat first was vindicated by a disciplined batting performance, led by their top order. Openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton laid a solid foundation with a 92-run partnership in 16.5 overs. Markram, opening for the first time in an ODI in four years, played with composure, scoring 82 off 81 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. Rickelton, surviving multiple close calls—including a missed run-out on 8, a successful lbw review on 25, and a dropped catch by Josh Inglis on 31—contributed 33 before holing out to Marnus Labuschagne off Travis Head. The pair weathered early movement from Josh Hazlewood and Ben Dwarshuis, reaching 50 in 8.3 overs with just one extra.

Temba Bavuma, captaining the side and returning after leading South Africa to the World Test Championship title, anchored the middle phase with a gritty 65 off 74 balls, featuring six fours. His partnership with Matthew Breetzke, who scored a fluent 57 off 62 balls with seven fours, added 91 runs for the third wicket, taking South Africa to 223/3 by the 39th over. Breetzke’s knock continued his remarkable streak, making him the first men’s ODI player to score 50-plus in his first four ODI matches. However, his dismissal, top-edging a slog sweep off Adam Zampa to Aaron Hardie at deep square leg, triggered a mini-collapse.

The Proteas stumbled in the death overs, losing 5 wickets for 44 runs to finish at 296/8 in 50 overs. Tristan Stubbs (1) and debutant Dewald Brevis (4) fell in quick succession to Head, who claimed 4/57 in nine overs—his second four-wicket haul in ODIs. Wiaan Mulder’s 24, including a six off Dwarshuis to close the innings, and Keshav Maharaj’s 13 off 12 balls provided late impetus. Dwarshuis (2/53) and Zampa (1/48) kept Australia in the game, but the total was the highest first-innings score in an ODI at Cairns, surpassing the previous best of 267 from Australia’s 2022 series against New Zealand. Social media buzzed with praise for South Africa’s top order, with one X post noting: “Markram (82), Bavuma (65), and Breetzke (57) set up South Africa’s commanding 296/8 in Cairns.”

Australia’s bowling effort was a mixed bag. Head’s part-time off-spin proved surprisingly effective, but the absence of specialist spinners beyond Zampa exposed their lack of depth. Hazlewood (1/39) and Dwarshuis were tidy early on, but Nathan Ellis (0/50) and Hardie (0/45) struggled to contain South Africa’s proactive batting. The hosts’ fielding was inconsistent, with Inglis’ dropped catch of Rickelton proving costly, though Labuschagne’s grab at mid-off was a highlight.

Chasing 297, Australia started explosively, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh racing to 60/0 in seven overs. Head, in particular, took a liking to Nandre Burger, smashing five fours in a single over, including drives down the ground and through midwicket. However, the introduction of spin changed the game’s complexion. Debutant off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen struck in his second over, stumping Head for 27 off 19 balls after he charged down the track, giving wicketkeeper Rickelton an easy finish. Subrayen’s 1/46 on debut was a promising start, though his tour was later marred by a reported suspect bowling action, ruling him out of the remaining matches.

Keshav Maharaj then took center stage, delivering a career-best 5/33 in 10 unchanged overs, propelling him to the No. 1 spot in the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings. His spell was a masterclass in left-arm spin, exploiting the sticky, turning surface. Maharaj trapped Marnus Labuschagne (4) and Alex Carey (0) lbw in quick succession, bowled Cameron Green (8) and Josh Inglis (14) with deliveries that spun sharply, and dismissed Aaron Hardie (3) to leave Australia reeling at 89/6 in 16.2 overs. His performance drew widespread acclaim, with an X post declaring: “Keshav Maharaj’s 5/33 is one of the best ODI spells by a spinner in Australia—pure class!”

Marsh, the Australian captain, provided resistance with a valiant 88 off 96 balls, including nine fours and a six, falling just 12 short of a fourth ODI century. He found an ally in Dwarshuis, who scored 33 off 52 balls, forging a 71-run seventh-wicket stand that briefly revived Australia’s hopes. However, Nandre Burger (2/54) broke the partnership, dismissing Marsh, and Lungi Ngidi (2/28) cleaned up the tail, bowling Nathan Ellis (lbw for 2) and Adam Zampa (11) in the 41st over. Australia were bowled out for 198 in 40.5 overs, with Zampa’s stumps rattled by a dipping slower-ball off-cutter from Ngidi. The collapse was stark, with five Australian batsmen falling for single-digit scores, highlighting their vulnerability against spin.

South Africa’s bowling was clinical, with Maharaj’s five-for supported by Subrayen’s debut wicket and Ngidi’s late strikes. Burger’s pace and bounce troubled the top order, while Rickelton’s sharp keeping, including the stumping of Head, added polish to the effort. The Proteas’ fielding, however, was not flawless, with Stubbs dropping Zampa at cover—his third drop of the tour—before Ngidi wrapped up the innings.

The match turned on Maharaj’s spell, which exposed Australia’s technical deficiencies against quality spin. The Cairns surface, described as “slow and two-paced,” played into South Africa’s hands, with Bavuma’s decision to deploy spin early proving inspired. “The wicket was sticky, and I tried to utilize the conditions,” Maharaj said post-match, crediting Subrayen’s breakthrough for easing the pressure. Australia’s rapid start was undone by their inability to adapt once spin was introduced, with Head’s dismissal signaling the start of their downfall.

South Africa’s batting, while not explosive, was methodical, with Markram, Bavuma, and Breetzke adapting to the sluggish pitch. Their 296/8, initially thought to be 20 runs short by Breetzke, proved well above par, as noted by ESPNcricinfo: “The trio of half-centuries from Markram, Breetzke, and Bavuma were more valuable than they initially appeared.” Australia’s reliance on Head’s part-time spin, while yielding wickets, underscored their lack of a second specialist spinner, with Kuhnemann unused and Connolly not bowling.

The absence of Rabada was a blow for South Africa, but Ngidi and Burger stepped up, with Ngidi’s 26 wickets against Australia at an average of 16.96 highlighting his effectiveness. Australia’s injury-hit squad struggled to fill the void left by Smith and Maxwell, with Labuschagne’s lean run (averaging 15.22 in his last nine ODI innings) a particular concern. Social media reflected the sentiment, with one user posting: “Australia’s batting collapse in Cairns shows they’re missing Smith and Maxwell big time.”

Maharaj was named Player of the Match for his 13 runs and 5/33, a performance he described as a career highlight: “I made my debut in Australia in 2016, so getting my first five-for here is special.” Bavuma praised the team’s all-round effort: “We adapted well to a slow wicket, and Kesh showed his class.” Marsh, meanwhile, acknowledged the need for improvement: “We got off to a flyer, but spin hurt us. We’ve got to find ways to counter it in Mackay.”

The victory gave South Africa a 1-0 lead and extended their dominance over Australia in bilateral ODI series, with 16 wins in their last 20 matches against the hosts. It also marked their biggest ODI win by runs against Australia in Australia, surpassing the 82-run victory in Perth in 1994. For Australia, the loss was their sixth in seven completed ODIs, with four consecutive home innings under 200—a historical low. The series moved to Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena for the second ODI on August 22, with South Africa eyeing a fifth straight series win and Australia desperate to avoid a home series defeat.

The first ODI in Cairns was a statement of South Africa’s intent, showcasing their ability to dominate without key players. Maharaj’s spin wizardry, backed by a solid batting foundation, exposed Australia’s vulnerabilities and set up an intriguing series. For the hosts, the match highlighted the challenges of transitioning without their ODI stalwarts, with Marsh’s lone resistance not enough to mask broader issues. The Great Barrier Reef Arena, hosting its first men’s international matches, awaited the next chapter, with South Africa poised for a potential whitewash and Australia fighting for redemption. As one X post summed up: “South Africa’s spinners ran riot in Cairns—Australia have work to do!”