Cricket: SA make light work of Australia in first ODI

South Africa took a 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series against Australia, as they made light work of a target of 153 in Perth on Sunday.

Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks were mostly untroubled as they put together a 94-run partnership for the first wicket before the wicketkeeper-batsman’s top-edged one to Josh Hazlewood off the bowling of Nathan Coulter-Nile – who returned to international cricket after over a year out – for a brisk 47 off just 40 balls.

Hendricks was to follow suit, as he also gave his wicket away softly – miscuing a Marcus Stionis delivery to Chris Lynn at mid-on for 44, and was later followed to the pavilion by Aiden Markram, who made 36 before chopping into his own stumps off the same bowler.

Heinrich Klaasen did not last long, leaving captain Faf du Plessis and David Miller to take the Proteas over the line, and they did so with over 20 overs left to spare to claim a six-wicket victory.

Earlier in the day, all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers as he picked up figures of 3-33 in six overs, with Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi and Imran Tahir all taking two wickets apiece.

Miller also got in on the act, as he provided a moment of magic to dismiss Pat Cummins with a superb run out, as Australia were skittled out for just 152 inside 40 overs, with Coulter-Nile top-scoring with 34.

This was a serious piece of fielding from David Miller!#AUSvSA @bet365_aus pic.twitter.com/4zdDghD91B

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 4, 2018

Australia and South Africa next meet on Friday in the second ODI in Adelaide, before concluding the series in Hobart next Sunday.

The two sides will also play a one-off T20 International at Carrara on Saturday, 17 November.