By Razeen Gutta
South Africa made a perfect start to their three match ODI series against Australia with a dramatic 67-run win at Kingsmead on Heritage Day.
Matthew Breetzke led the way with a magnificent 112 off 106 balls. It was his second century against Australia and rescued the Proteas from 29/2 to power them to 297/8 after being put in to bat.
After stands with Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton, Breetzke found the ideal partner in Marco Jansen. The pair added 107 in just 81 balls for the sixth wicket, with Jansen smashing 75 off 59 balls including four huge sixes.
Australia looked set to cruise when captain Mitch Marsh blitzed 60 off 36 balls with five fours and six sixes, taking the visitors to 90 in the 10th over.
The turning point came when Keshav Maharaj had Marsh caught by Breetzke. From 129/1, Australia imploded, losing nine wickets for 101 to be bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs as left-arm spinners Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin took charge.
Maharaj claimed 4/20 and Fortuin 2/34, with Jansen adding a sensational one-handed diving catch to dismiss Matt Renshaw for 44, as the Proteas completed a remarkable comeback.
The Bullring next awaits with Johannesburg set to host its annual Pink Day showpiece on Sunday.
Pictured above: Mathew Breetzke
Source: @crex.live_
