Lungi Ngidi finished with figures of 3/30 as the Proteas defended their 291/7 total to clinch a 74-run victory against Australia in the first ODI, writes Khalid Mohidin from Boland Park.
The Proteas’ first innings was highlighted by a middle-order fight started by Kyle Verreynne, supported by David Miller and finished off by Heinrich Klaasen.
The Proteas went from being 48/3 to 291/7 by the end of the 50 overs. With the highest chase at Boland Park being 250/2 when the Proteas chased down Sri Lanka’s 247/4 against Sri Lanka, the home side would have felt confident.
READ: Player Moments: Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Verreynne, David Miller save Proteas Innings
Australia’s chase was broken up at decisive intervals to ensure that that the visitors stayed behind the required run rate.
Great bowling from Lungi Ngidi kept the Aussies at bay, while Keshav Maharaj held his own and Anrich Nortje once again dismissed the big gun in the match – Steve Smith trapped lbw on 76.
Tabraiz Shamsi’s hard work paid off in the 39th over when he dismissed Australia’s last recognised batsman, Alex Carey.
As Australia hit the 40 over mark, they needed 95 runs from 60 balls.
A sharp run out from Quinton de Kock off the bowling of Andile Phehlukwayo saw the end of Mitchell Starc, as the Proteas continued to squeeze the Baggy Greens.
Tabraiz Shamsi beat D’arcy Short for flight, only for the Aussie to watch his bails being knocked off by De Kock behind the stumps.
The target continued to slip away from the visitors.
The 9th wicket, and Phehlukwayo’s 1st, was courtesy of a sublime diving catch from Verreynne, running in hard from long-on.
Nortje sent the bails flying to finish off the Aussies as the Proteas won by 74 runs.
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