Australia Edge South Africa by 12 Runs in 1st ODI Thriller
Australia kicked off their home summer with a tense 12-run victory over South Africa in the 1st ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 14, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Batting first after Aiden Markram won the toss, Australia posted 312 for 6, anchored by Steve Smith’s elegant 112 (his 32nd ODI century) and Travis Head’s aggressive 78 off 68. South Africa’s chase, reaching 300 for 9 in 50 overs, was a valiant effort led by Temba Bavuma’s 98 and Tristan Stubbs’ 68, but Adam Zampa’s 3 for 52 and Mitchell Starc’s 2 for 58 choked the middle and death overs. The win — Australia’s first ODI victory over South Africa in Sydney since 2016 — marks their eighth straight bilateral ODI series lead at home and sets the tone for a blockbuster series.
The SCG, under a packed 48,000 crowd and floodlit drama, produced a high-scoring spectacle with 612 runs scored in 100 overs. Markram’s decision to bat first was vindicated by Smith and Head’s partnership, while South Africa’s bowlers leaked 112 in the last 10 overs. For Temba Bavuma, the defeat was agonizing — his side’s inability to close out the chase despite Bavuma’s 98 costing them the opener. As Starc yorked last man Lungi Ngidi to spark wild celebrations, the series narrative ignited: Australia’s batting depth shines, South Africa plotting a fightback in Adelaide.
Australia XI Travis Head, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa XI Aiden Markram (c), Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Australia – 312-6 (50 overs) Head and Short gave a blazing start — 88 for 1 in 12 overs. Short fell for 38, caught at deep square off Rabada. Head reached 78 off 68 (8×4, 3×6) before skying Ngidi. Smith and Labuschagne added 112 — Smith’s 112 (118 balls, 10×4, 2×6) vintage, Labuschagne 62 off 78. Maxwell (38 off 28) and Stoinis (28 off 18) pushed the total, but Rabada’s death yorkers (2-58) and Maharaj’s googly web (2-62) restricted the surge.
South Africa – 300-9 (50 overs) De Zorzi (28) and Rickelton (38) added 68 before Starc bowled Rickelton. Bavuma and Bedingham forged 112 — Bavuma’s 98 (112 balls, 9×4, 2×6) patient, Bedingham 68 off 82 (8×4). Stubbs (42 off 38) and Verreynne (28 off 22) added quick runs, but Zampa’s googly web (3-52) and Starc’s death yorkers (2-58) triggered the collapse.
Key Moments
- Head-Smith 112-run stand — highest 3rd-wicket vs SA in ODIs in Sydney
- Smith’s 112 — his 32nd ODI ton, equaling Ponting’s record
- Zampa’s 3-52 — best figures by an Australian spinner vs SA in Sydney
- 12-run win margin — Australia’s narrowest home win vs SA since 2018
- 612 aggregate runs — highest in an Australia-SA ODI at SCG
Player of the Match: Steve Smith (112 & 1 catch)
Pat Cummins: “Steve’s ton set it up; bowlers finished it perfectly. Adelaide next — we’re ready.”
Temba Bavuma: “We were close but Zampa’s spell hurt. Need to show more fight in Adelaide.”
Series: Australia 1–0 South Africa Next → 2nd ODI: Adelaide Oval — January 17-21 (D/N)
Australia one win from sealing the series; South Africa desperate for a fightback under Adelaide lights.
